Homestyle Bread and Butter Pickles
This delightful recipe for Homestyle Bread and Butter Pickles has been lovingly passed down through generations. With a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, they're far superior to any store-bought variety. Bursting with the fresh flavors of crisp pickling cucumbers and aromatic spices, these pickles are a must-try for both novice and experienced picklers alike. Perfect as a side dish, condiment, or snack, they also make wonderful gifts when presented in beautiful jars. Dive into the art of pickling and create a tangy treat that captures the essence of homemade goodness.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pickling cucumbers
15 cups (sliced)
Onions
3 (thinly sliced)
Coarse salt
1/4 cup
Cracked ice
4 cups
Cider vinegar
2 1/2 cups
Sugar
2 1/2 cups
Turmeric
3/4 teaspoon
Celery seed
1/2 teaspoon
Mustard seeds
1 tablespoon
Instructions
1
In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers, thinly sliced onions, coarse salt, and cracked ice. Mix them thoroughly until evenly combined.
2
Weight down the mixture using a plate topped with a heavy bottle, and let it stand for 3 hours to draw out excess moisture.
3
After 3 hours, rinse the cucumber and onion mixture thoroughly under cold running water, and drain well to remove excess salt.
4
In a large pot, combine the cider vinegar, sugar, turmeric, celery seed, and mustard seeds. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
5
Add the drained cucumber and onion mixture to the pot, stirring gently to coat everything evenly.
6
Place the pot on medium-low heat and bring the mixture to just under a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Do not allow it to boil.
7
Once heated, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly.
8
Prepare sterilized jars for canning. To sterilize, wash jars in hot soapy water, then dry them. Place the jars upright on a cookie sheet in an oven preheated to 225°F for 15 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave them inside until needed.
9
Carefully ladle the hot pickle mixture into the prepared jars, leaving about a 1/2 inch headspace at the top.
10
Seal the jars with lids and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure a proper seal.
11
Remove jars from the water bath and allow them to cool completely on a clean kitchen towel. Store in a cool, dark place.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the flavor of Homestyle Bread and Butter Pickles?
They have a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, capturing the essence of homemade goodness.
How many cups of cucumbers are required for this recipe?
You will need 15 cups of sliced pickling cucumbers.
How should the onions be prepared?
The three onions should be thinly sliced before being added to the mixture.
What type of salt is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of coarse salt.
Why is cracked ice used in the pickling process?
Four cups of cracked ice are mixed with the cucumbers and salt to help draw out excess moisture and maintain crispness.
How long should the cucumber and onion mixture stand with the ice and salt?
The mixture should stand for 3 hours.
How do I weight down the cucumbers?
Weight down the mixture using a plate topped with a heavy bottle.
Should I rinse the vegetables after they have sat in the salt and ice?
Yes, rinse the cucumber and onion mixture thoroughly under cold running water and drain well to remove excess salt.
What kind of vinegar is used for the brine?
The recipe uses 2 1/2 cups of cider vinegar.
How much sugar is included in the brine?
The recipe requires 2 1/2 cups of sugar.
What spices are used in these pickles?
The spices include 3/4 teaspoon turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon celery seed, and 1 tablespoon mustard seeds.
How much turmeric is needed?
The recipe uses 3/4 teaspoon of turmeric.
What is the amount of celery seed required?
You will need 1/2 teaspoon of celery seed.
How many mustard seeds should I add?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of mustard seeds.
Should the pickle mixture be boiled on the stove?
No, bring the mixture to just under a boil but do not allow it to actually boil.
How do I sterilize the jars for canning?
Wash jars in hot soapy water, dry them, and place them on a cookie sheet in an oven preheated to 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
What is the oven temperature for jar sterilization?
The oven should be preheated to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long do the jars stay in the oven during sterilization?
They should be in the oven for 15 minutes, then left inside with the oven turned off until needed.
How much headspace should be left in the jars?
Leave about a 1/2 inch headspace at the top of each jar.
How long do I process the jars in a water bath?
Process the sealed jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Where should the jars cool after processing?
Allow them to cool completely on a clean kitchen towel.
How should the finished pickles be stored?
Store the jars in a cool, dark place.
Are these pickles suitable for beginners?
Yes, they are described as a must-try for both novice and experienced picklers.
Can these pickles be given as gifts?
Yes, they make wonderful gifts when presented in beautiful jars.
What is the preparation method for the cucumbers?
The pickling cucumbers should be sliced.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 ingredients total, including vegetables, liquids, and spices.
How many onions are used?
The recipe uses 3 onions.
What should I do to prevent the mixture from sticking while heating?
Stir the mixture occasionally while it is on medium-low heat.
What is the first step in the instructions?
Combine sliced cucumbers, thinly sliced onions, coarse salt, and cracked ice in a large bowl.
What makes these pickles better than store-bought ones?
They feature a superior balance of sweetness and tanginess with fresh flavors and aromatic spices.