Gather the necessary ingredients and equipment
To make your own homemade jar of pickles, you will need the following ingredients and equipment:
- Cucumbers
- Pickling salt
- White vinegar
- Water
- Garlic cloves
- Dill seeds or fresh dill
- Pickling spices (optional)
- Pickling jars
Wash and prepare the cucumbers
Start by washing the cucumbers thoroughly and removing any stems or impurities. If the cucumbers are too big, consider slicing them into spears or rounds to fit into the pickling jars.
Create the pickling brine
To create the pickling brine, combine equal parts water and white vinegar in a pot. For every cup of liquid, add 1 tablespoon of pickling salt. You can also add a teaspoon of pickling spices for extra flavor if desired.
Prepare the jars
Sterilize the pickling jars by boiling them in water for a few minutes. This will ensure that your pickles stay fresh and free from bacteria. Once sterilized, remove the jars from the water and let them cool before use.
Pack the cucumbers into the jars and add the brine
Pack the prepared cucumbers into the sterilized pickling jars. Add a few garlic cloves and a spoonful of dill seeds or fresh dill to each jar for additional flavor. Finally, pour the pickling brine over the cucumbers, leaving a small headspace at the top of each jar.
Seal the jars tightly and store them in a cool, dark place for at least a week to allow the flavors to develop. After a week, your homemade jar of pickles should be ready to enjoy!
