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Canning Pickles Recipe – Crisp & Flavorful Dill Guide

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This canning pickles recipe shows you how to make crisp, tangy, shelf-stable dill pickles using a safe water bath method. Perfect for preserving fresh cucumbers and enjoying homemade pickles all year long.

  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 pint jars 1x
  • Category: Preservation
  • Method: Roasting and Water Bath Canning
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 34 pounds pickling cucumbers (Kirby cucumbers)
  • 2 1/2 cups white vinegar (5% acidity)
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1/4 cup pickling salt
  • 4 heads fresh dill or 4 teaspoons dill seeds
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon mustard seeds per jar
  • Optional: 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns per jar
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes per jar
  • Optional: 1 bay leaf per jar

Instructions

  1. Wash cucumbers thoroughly and trim 1/16 inch from the blossom end to help maintain crispness.
  2. Sterilize 4 pint mason jars in boiling water for 10 minutes and keep them hot.
  3. In a large pot, combine vinegar, water, and pickling salt. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until salt dissolves.
  4. Place dill and garlic at the bottom of each hot jar. Add optional spices if desired.
  5. Pack cucumbers tightly into jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
  6. Pour hot brine over cucumbers, maintaining 1/2 inch headspace.
  7. Remove air bubbles, wipe rims clean, and apply lids and bands fingertip tight.
  8. Process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjust time for altitude if necessary).
  9. Remove jars and allow to cool undisturbed for 12–24 hours. Check seals before storing.

Notes

  • Always use vinegar with 5% acidity for safe canning.
  • Do not change the vinegar-to-water ratio.
  • Use pickling salt to prevent cloudy brine.
  • Adjust processing time based on altitude.
  • Allow pickles to sit for 2–3 weeks before opening for best flavor.
  • Store unopened jars in a cool, dark place for up to 12 months.
  • Refrigerate after opening and use within 3–4 weeks.

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