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Bread and butter pickles are a classic sweet-and-tangy condiment that brightens everything from burgers to charcuterie boards. This easy refrigerator pickle recipe skips the canning process entirely, giving you crisp, flavorful bread and butter pickles in a fraction of the time. With thinly sliced cucumbers and onions soaking in a warm spiced brine, these homemade bread and butter pickles deliver the perfect balance of sweet vinegar and subtle mustard seed notes. Ready to chill in just 20 minutes, they are the ultimate make-ahead topping for sandwiches, grilled meats, or a simple snack straight from the jar.
Healthy
Easy
Easy Bread and Butter Pickles
Homemade bread and butter pickles are the sweet, tangy, and crunchy refrigerator pickles you need in your fridge at all times. Ready in just 20 minutes with no canning required.
Ingredients
4
💡 Chef Tip
For the crispiest bread and butter pickles, choose firm, blemish-free pickling cucumbers and slice them as evenly as possible. Soaking the cucumber slices in an ice water bath for 20 minutes before pickling helps them stay extra crunchy.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving
Calories
72 kcal
Protein
0.5 g
Carbs
17 g
Fat
0.2 g
Fiber
1 g
Sugar
15 g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Instructions
1
Wash the pickling cucumbers thoroughly and pat them dry. Slice them into thin rounds, about 1/8 inch thick, using a sharp knife or mandoline slicer.
2
Peel the onion half and slice it paper-thin. Place the sliced cucumbers and onions in a clean 1-pint glass jar or airtight container, alternating layers.
3
In a medium saucepan, combine the white vinegar, granulated sugar, water, kosher salt, mustard seeds, celery seeds, ground turmeric, and red pepper flakes.
4
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the brine mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar and salt dissolve completely, about 2 to 3 minutes.
5
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the brine cool for 1 minute. Carefully pour the warm brine over the cucumbers and onions in the jar, ensuring they are fully submerged.
6
Tap the jar gently on the counter to release any air bubbles. Seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid and let it cool to room temperature on the counter, about 30 minutes.
7
Transfer the sealed jar to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the bread and butter pickles to absorb the brine and develop their signature sweet-tangy flavor.
8
Serve the bread and butter pickles cold as a side, on burgers, sandwiches, or straight from the jar. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bread and butter pickles are a classic American sweet-and-tangy pickle variety made by marinating thinly sliced cucumbers and onions in a vinegar-sugar brine seasoned with mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric. They get their name from the Depression-era tradition of serving them on bread with butter as a simple, filling snack.
No, sterilization is not required for refrigerator pickles since they are stored in the fridge and consumed within a few weeks. Simply wash the jar with hot soapy water and dry it thoroughly before use.
Refrigerator bread and butter pickles will stay fresh and crunchy for up to 2 weeks when stored properly in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Always keep them submerged in the brine.
Yes, you can use regular cucumbers in a pinch, but pickling cucumbers are preferred because they have thinner skins, fewer seeds, and a firmer flesh that stays crunchier after pickling. If using regular cucumbers, choose the firmest ones available and remove excess seeds if necessary.
Loss of crunch can result from using overripe or soft cucumbers, slicing them too thick or unevenly, or not chilling them in the refrigerator. For maximum crunch, use fresh pickling cucumbers, slice them evenly thin, and consider soaking them in ice water for 20 minutes before adding the brine.
Fresh ingredients for homemade bread and butter pickles arranged in a top-down flat lay.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✓ No canning required
✓ Ready in 20 minutes active time
✓ Perfect sweet-tangy balance
✓ Crunchy refrigerator pickles
✓ Great on burgers and sandwiches
Equipment Needed
🧰 Mandoline slicer or sharp knife
🧰 Medium saucepan
🧰 1-pint glass jar with lid
🧰 Measuring cups and spoons
🧰 Cutting board
Recipe Notes
- For a less sweet version, reduce the sugar to 1/3 cup.
- Add a clove of smashed garlic or a few black peppercorns to the jar for extra depth of flavor.
- The pickles are ready to eat after 4 hours but taste best after 24 hours of refrigeration.
🧊 Storage Tips
Store the bread and butter pickles in their brine in a sealed glass jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Always use clean utensils when removing pickles from the jar to prevent contamination.
⏰ Make Ahead Tips
These bread and butter pickles are ideal for making ahead. The flavor deepens and improves significantly after 24 hours in the refrigerator, making them perfect for weekend meal prep.
🍴 Kitchen Picks
Helpful tools that make this recipe easier and more enjoyable.
Pyrex Essentials 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set
Essential for accurately measuring vinegar, sugar, and water when preparing the brine.
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless 1-Quart Saucepan
Perfect for heating and combining the brine ingredients before pickling.
Crunchy bread and butter pickles served alongside a classic cheeseburger.
📋 Recipe Summary
⏱️
20 Min
20 Min
👨🍳
Easy
Easy
🍽️
4 Servings
4 Servings
🔥
72 kcal
72 kcal
- ✓ No canning required
- ✓ Ready in 20 minutes active time
- ✓ Perfect sweet-tangy balance
- ✓ Crunchy refrigerator pickles
- ✓ Great on burgers and sandwiches
Homemade bread and butter pickles are a simple yet rewarding way to elevate everyday meals. Unlike store-bought versions packed with preservatives, these refrigerator bread and butter pickles taste fresher, crunchier, and can be customized to your preferred sweetness level. Keep a jar in your fridge for instant flavor upgrades to burgers, hot dogs, and salads. Once you taste the vibrant pop of these homemade bread and butter pickles, you will never go back to the jarred aisle again.
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