Description
This Homemade Claussen Pickles recipe allows you to recreate the iconic crisp and tangy pickles from your local grocery store, but with fresh ingredients and the satisfaction of making them yourself. With a simple fermentation process, you can enjoy these homemade pickles in just a few days! No canning required—just fresh cucumbers, brine, and patience.
Ingredients
- Pickling Cucumbers: 6-8 small to medium-sized cucumbers (about 3-4 inches long)
- Fresh Dill: 4 heads of fresh dill or 4 tsp of dill seeds
- Garlic: 6 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
- Canning Salt: ⅓ cup
- Apple Cider Vinegar (or white vinegar): 2 cups
- Water: 6 cups
- Optional Spices:
- 1–2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp peppercorns
- 1–2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (for a spicy kick)
Instructions
Prepare the Cucumbers:
Wash cucumbers thoroughly. Trim off the blossom end (opposite the stem) to ensure they stay crunchy during fermentation. Cut cucumbers into spears, halves, or leave them whole—whichever you prefer. Spears ferment faster.Make the Brine:
In a saucepan, combine water, vinegar, canning salt, garlic, and dill. Optional: add mustard seeds, peppercorns, or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
Bring the mixture to a rapid boil, then reduce the heat and stir until the salt dissolves. Remove from heat and let the brine cool to room temperature.Pack the Jars:
While the brine is cooling, prepare wide-mouth mason jars. Sterilize them by washing and rinsing with hot water. Add garlic and dill to the bottom of each jar.
Pack the cucumbers tightly into the jars, making sure there’s some space at the top for the brine.Pour the Brine:
Once the brine has cooled to room temperature, pour it over the cucumbers, ensuring they are fully submerged. If needed, use a clean weight to keep the cucumbers submerged in the brine.Start Fermentation:
Seal the jars loosely with their lids. Leave them at room temperature for 3-4 days to ferment. Check daily for bubbles or a slight film on the surface (a sign of fermentation). If any scum forms, skim it off with a clean spoon.
Refrigerate:
After 3-4 days, tighten the lids and transfer the jars to the refrigerator. The cold temperature will slow down the fermentation process, preserving the pickles’ crunch. They’ll be ready to enjoy after another day of chilling!
Notes
- Cucumber Freshness: Fresh cucumbers are crucial for maintaining the crunch. Use cucumbers that are refrigerated or freshly harvested.
- Customize the Flavor: Feel free to add more garlic, mustard seeds, or even a bit of sugar for a sweeter pickle.
- Brine Adjustments: Ensure the brine fully covers the cucumbers. If needed, add more brine (water and vinegar in equal parts with salt).
- Fermentation Time: Adjust fermentation time based on your flavor preference. If you like a more tangy taste, leave them at room temperature for an extra day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 days
- Category: Snack, Side Dish
- Method: Refrigerator fermentation
- Cuisine: American