RecipesLearn

Zesty Bread & Butter Pickles Recipe

These pickles are slightly tangy and sweet but with a slight "zip" at the end from the hot peppers.
dylan clay profile picture
By Dylan Clay
November 21, 2024
zesty bread and butter pickles recipe

Ingredients for Zesty Bread & Butter Pickles

  • 3-4 Pickling Cucumbers
  • 1 cup distilled vinegar
  • 1/4 cup ACV
  • 3/4 Cup Water
  • 2 Cups White Sugar
  • 1/2 small, thinly sliced Vidalia onion
  • 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tablespoon celery seed
  • 1/2 tablespoon turmeric
  • 6-8 whole cloves
  • 1/2 tbsp granulated garlic
  • 2 hot peppers sliced into rings*

*These can be red or green jalapeno peppers, habanero, serrano, Anaheim, etc.

If you like Cider vinegar, use 1/2 cup ACV and 1/2 Cup water instead; Keep in mind though, this flavor is strong.

If you prefer your pickles less sweet, use 1 & 1/4 cup White sugar instead.

Slice the Onion, the Pickle Chips and the Hot Peppers

Thinly slice half a small Vidalia onion.

Slice 3-4 pickling cucumbers into 1/4″ chips.

Slice hot peppers into rings – I prefer to leave the seeds as the “spicy” flavor primarily comes from the seeds.

Add these to your sterilized mason jars in layers.

Make the Pickling Liquid

To a medium pot add:

  • 1 cup distilled vinegar
  • 1/4 cup ACV
  • 3/4 Cup Water
  • 2 Cups White Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tablespoon celery seed
  • 1/2 tablespoon turmeric
  • 6-8 whole cloves
  • 1/2 tbsp granulated garlic

Bring this mixture to a slight boil then take off the heat.

Take a ladle or pour the brine liquid into the mason jar.

brining liquid ladled into mason jar

Cover the mason jar with your sterilized lid and then allow to cool.

Once cooled, put into your refrigerator; Flavors will improve overnight.

Zesty Bread & Butter Pickles

Slightly sweet, tart, and spicy
Prep Time10 minutes
Active Time5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3-4 Whole Pickling cucumbers
  • 1/2 whole Vidalia onion, sliced

Dill Pickle Brine Liquid

  • 1 cup distilled vinegar
  • 1/4 cup ACV
  • 3/4 Cup Water
  • 2 Cups White Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Morton Kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tablespoon celery seed
  • 1/2 tablespoon turmeric
  • 6-8 whole cloves
  • 1/2 tbsp granulated garlic
  • 2 whole jalapenos, sliced

Instructions

Making Dill Pickle Brine Liquid

  • In a medium pot combine ingredients with a whisk.
    1 cup distilled vinegar, 1/4 cup ACV, 3/4 Cup Water, 2 Cups White Sugar, 1 tablespoon Morton Kosher salt, 1 tablespoon mustard seeds, 1/2 tablespoon turmeric, 6-8 whole cloves, 1/2 tablespoon celery seed
  • Bring this mixture to a boil.
    Once boiling, take off heat.

Slice Cucumber, Onion, and Jalapenos

  • Take your pickling cukes and cut into 1/8" to 1/4" slices.
    3-4 Whole Pickling cucumbers
  • Take 1 small medium and half it. Peel the onion and then slice it thin.
    1/2 whole Vidalia onion, sliced
  • Layer the ingredients above in a small 16 oz mason jar.
  • Pour or ladle hot brine liquid over the pickles. You want to fill all the way to the top.
  • Cover the mason jar with your lids and then allow to cool.
  • Once cooled, store in your refrigerator. The flavor will continue to improve over the next couple of days.

Notes

If you like super spicy pickles, add 1/4 tsp of cayenne to the pickling liquid boil. 

Recipe Rating




Want Similar Recipes in Your Inbox?

No spam, just recipes you and your family will like.

  • Smoked, Grilled, and Dehydrated Meats
  • Food trends explained
  • Meal recommendations
  • Q&A from expert home cooks