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Jars of bottled bread and butter pickles.
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5 from 5 votes

Homemade Bread & Butter Pickles

Homemade Bread & Butter Pickles have the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. They are mouthwateringly good, and they're so easy to make!
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Chilling Time3 hours
Total Time4 hours
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 205kcal
Author: Amy Nash

Ingredients

  • 4 quarts sliced medium-sized cucumbers (16 cups)
  • 6 onions, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • cup coarse Kosher salt
  • 3 cups white vinegar
  • 5 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons mustard seed
  • teaspoons ground turmeric
  • teaspoons celery seed

Instructions

  • Slice cucumbers into thin discs. Cut onions in half, then slice them into strips. Slice green and red bell peppers into strips.
  • Combine sliced cucumbers, sliced onions, and peppers in a large bowl, tossing to evenly distribute the vegetables so they are mixed together. Sprinkle with the coarse salt, then toss to evenly distribute the salt. Cover with a layer of ice about an inch or two thick.
  • Transfer the bowl to the fridge and let the vegetables sit for 3 hours, then discard the ice. Rinse the vegetables thoroughly with cold water and drain well.
  • Combine sugar, vinegar, garlic, celery seed, mustard seed, and turmeric in a large pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil.
  • Add the cucumber and onion mixture and heat just until it starts to boil again. Don't overcook - the cucumbers should still be crisp.
  • Transfer the cucumbers and onions to clean, sterilized jars while still boiling hot. Fill to within about 1 inch of the brim, then pour some of the pickling liquid over the vegetables until the jar is filled about ½ inch from the brim.
  • Make sure the rim is clean by wiping it with a clean towel so it will seal properly. Place a clean lid on each jar and secure it with the metal rings.
  • Arrange the jars in a large canning pot filled with hot water. The water should cover the jars by a full inch. Bring to a boil for 15 minutes to seal. Carefully remove each hot jar from the water using tongs or a jar lifter.
  • Let the jars cool completely to room temperature. They should make a popping sound as their lids seal. If any of the jars don't seal properly, store them in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Yield: This recipe yields about 8 pints of bread and butter pickles.
  • Skipping the hot water bath (No-Canning Approach): If you want to skip canning these, they can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 months. I would recommend doing a ¼ - ½ of a batch for this, rather than the full recipe (unless you're planning to give some away).
  • Storage: You can store these pickles for a few years in a properly sealed (canned) and unopened jar! Once opened, or if you choose to not seal them with a water bath, they will last for up to 3 months in the refrigerator.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 1578mg | Potassium: 289mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 288IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg