Snack
Bread and Butter Pickles
These are the classic American diner pickles—crisp cucumber slices suspended in a warm, tangy-sweet brine spiked with mustard seed, turmeric, and just enough sugar to balance the vinegar. They're ready to eat within hours and stay crunchy for weeks in the refrigerator.
✓ Macros from a nutrition database · per serving · developed by The Delicious Kitchen with AI assistance, not independently kitchen-tested · how we calculate this
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Bread and Butter Pickles — common questions
How long do bread and butter pickles keep?
Refrigerated in a sealed jar, they stay crunchy and flavorful for 2 to 3 weeks. The cucumbers gradually soften after that, but they remain safe to eat for up to 2 months.
Can I use regular slicing cucumbers instead of pickling cucumbers?
You can, but they will be softer because they contain more water and fewer seeds. Pickling cucumbers have thinner skins and fewer seeds, which is why they stay crunchier—if you must substitute, choose the smallest, firmest slicing cucumbers you can find.
Why did my pickles turn out soft or mushy?
The most common cause is using stale or old cucumbers with damaged skin. Always use firm, fresh cucumbers picked or bought within 24 hours, and make sure you drained them properly after the salt step. Overcooking the cucumbers in the hot brine can also soften them—keep that boil to just 1 minute.
Can I make a large batch and process them for shelf-stable storage?
Yes, if you want shelf-stable pickles, follow this recipe exactly, use sterilized jars, and process them in a water bath for 10 minutes after filling. However, refrigerator pickles (no processing) are easier for the home cook and stay crunchier.
What should I serve these with?
They are the perfect complement to burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, and barbecue. They also pair well with cheese boards, sandwiches, and charcuterie, and make an excellent topping for hot dogs and pulled pork tacos.
Do I need to refrigerate them, or can they sit at room temperature?
They must be refrigerated once cooled. The brine is not processed for shelf-stable storage, so bacteria can develop at room temperature after the first few hours.
More preserves & pickles recipes
- Apple Butter Recipe 200 min
- Classic Chutney Recipe 65 min
- Dill Pickles Recipe 35 min
- Hot Sauce Recipe 10 min
- Kimchi Recipe 35 min
- Marmalade Recipe 135 min
- Pickled Jalapenos Recipe 25 min
- Pickled Onions Recipe 20 min
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