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Quick Pickled Cucumbers

Quick Pickled Cucumbers
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If you love 5 ingredient recipes, this one is for YOU. Quick Pickled Cucumbers aren’t too sour OR too sweet. There’s no special equipment needed for the pickle brine and you probably have all the ingredients you need right in your pantry. Plus we’ll answer the burning question “are pickles cucumbers?”

5 ingredient recipes for pickles.

Sure you can buy pickles at the supermarket (and I do), but when you want something a little more subtle than a full on garlic-dill spear, this is my go-to 5 ingredient recipe.

Ingredients For Quick Pickled Cucumbers

  • English Cucumber
  • Sugar
  • Kosher Salt
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Water

 

mixing 5 ingredient recipes

This is so easy, I really struggle to call it a recipe, but since you’re here and you clearly want to know…

How To Make Pickle Brine

  1. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, kosher salt, cider vinegar and water.
  2. Stir until the salt and sugar have dissolved.

There.

That’s it. Pickle brine.

Now, if you wanted to add other things, you could. Fresh herbs like dill, thyme or tarragon would be good. Chopped garlic would add aromatics and flavor. Crushed red pepper flakes would give heat. Whole coriander and peppercorns would add floral notes and a bit of spice. You could also add a tablespoon of pickling spice. You can absolutely play with other ingredients, but I promised you a 5 ingredient recipe…

 

slicing cucumbers for quick pickled cucumbers

Ok, this is a weird question, but it was asked of me and I feel the need to answer.

Are Pickles Cucumbers?

Cumbers can be pickles but pickles aren’t necessarily cucumbers. Confused? Don’t be. That pickling brine isn’t exclusive to cucumbers. It’s also great for lots of other vegetables, like these pink pickled onions. 

 

brining the cucumbers in pickle brine.

What Other Vegetables Can Be Quick Pickled?

  • Bell Peppers (cut into thin strips)
  • Onions (yellow, white, red, vidalia)
  • Cauliflower (divided into small florets)
  • Carrots (sliced into thin spears or coins)
  • Radishes (sliced thin)
  • Asparagus (spears)
  • Green Beans

…and so many more — essentially any veg that would be a good Bloody Mary garnish can benefit from a quick pickle brine. The nice thing about this brine is that it’s not overly aggressive or sour. The mild flavor won’t make you screw up your face, bracing for  impact. As a result of the low vinegar content, however, these pickles should be stored in the refrigerator.

 

freshly made quick pickled cucumbers in a jar.

How Long Do Quick Pickled Cucumbers Brine?

You’ll want to let the cucumbers soak in the brine for at least an hour before using, but a longer soak is fine.

Can I Make Quick Pickles Ahead Of Time?

Absolutely. Just let the cucumbers brine, then transfer to a storage container with a tight fitting lid and refrigerate until you’re ready to use them. They will stay good in the refrigerator for up to 10 days or more.  

 

You’ll notice that on the first day in the pickle brine, the cucumbers remain a vibrant green color, but as they sit in the refrigerator, the colors become a bit more muted. That’s ok, they taste amazing and still have a nice snap to them since they haven’t been cooked.

 

 pickles are easy 5 ingredient recipes.

What To Serve With Quick Pickled Cucumbers

  • Amazing Tinga Style Pork Shoulder Tacos
  • Tangy Barbecued Pork Sandwiches
  • Caribbean Jerk Smoked Pork
  • Tangy Garlic Lime Shrimp Tacos
  • Muffuletta Sandwich
  • Cold Roast Beef Sandwich with Horseradish Cheese
  • (In) Authentic Cuban Sandwich

More 5 Ingredient Recipes

  • Christmas Meringues
  • Spring Pesto Green Beans
  • Potato Gnocchi From Scratch
  • Balsamic Caramel Dessert Sauce
  • Classic Cream Cheese Frosting

 


Garlic & Zest is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Print Pin
3.58 from 38 votes

Quick Pickled Cucumbers

These quick and easy, lightly pickled cucumbers are the perfect snappy bite. No cooking necessary and they only need to brine for about an hour. Quick Pickled Cucumbers are not too sour, tangy or sweet and add just the right oomph to sandwiches, salads, bao buns, or anything that needs a little pop of brightness.
Course Condiments
Cuisine American
Keyword cucumbers, pickles
Dietary Restrictions Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Vegan
Prep Time 5 minutes
Brining Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 19kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 english cucumber very thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

  • In a small to medium bowl, combine the salt, sugar, cider vinegar and water. Stir until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
  • Add the thinly sliced cucumbers (no need to peel, the skins are thin enough).
  • Use the back of a spoon to adjust the cucumbers so they are submerged in the brine. Let the cucumbers soak for about an hour, then they're ready to use.
  • Store in a tight fitting container, with the cucumbers covered in the brining liquid.

Nutrition

Calories: 19kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 584mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 53IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

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Side Dishes// Vegan/Vegetarian22 Comments

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Comments

  1. Sandey says

    December 10, 2020 at 4:07 AM

    Yummmmyyyyyy so easy! Tks

    Reply
  2. Helen says

    August 27, 2020 at 2:29 PM

    So quick and easy! My husband ate most of it with a salad!! Time to make another batch ??

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      August 27, 2020 at 8:48 PM

      LOL! Love it!

      Reply
  3. Carol says

    August 26, 2020 at 10:14 PM

    RE: Canning

    Here are a few fast tips if you want to can any pickle.

    For crisp pickles here are a few helpful hints:
    1. First soak the cucumbers in ice water for at least 2 hours. Refresh Ice as needed.
    2. Ensure that the brine is at a full boil when poured over the dills.
    3. Also remove 1/16 inch from the blossom end of each cucumber. Blossoms contain an enzyme which causes excessive softening of pickles.

    About the brine and the salt:
    1. Always use pickling salt, Morton makes one and it’s available in most grocery stores. The reason you use it is that your brine will not be cloudy when using it. Other salts will give you a cloudy brine. Kosher salt can, but doesn’t always get cloudy.

    Hope this helps you. I have my great great aunts pickle recipe from the 1920’s and when I wanted to make them I did a lot of research about canning pickles. These things helped me.

    Reply
  4. Jerry Silva says

    August 7, 2020 at 11:03 AM

    Great recipe I added red pepper flakes and fresh garlic, everyone that tried it liked it.

    Reply
  5. Danielle says

    August 4, 2020 at 1:53 PM

    Does it have to be Kosher salt?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      August 4, 2020 at 2:02 PM

      Yes, iodized salt is too harsh for this.

      Reply
  6. Spark says

    July 28, 2020 at 9:41 AM

    Lisa,
    I’d like to know if a Keto friendly sugar like Swerve, Erythritol or Xylitol can be substituted in this recipe?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      July 28, 2020 at 11:07 AM

      Sugar substitutes such as Stevia and Splenda will work but may add a mushy texture and have a strange aftertaste.

      Reply
  7. Todd says

    June 27, 2020 at 11:19 AM

    When you store them what is the life span

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      June 27, 2020 at 11:57 AM

      Store them in the refrigerator and they’ll last for up to a week to 10 days.

      Reply
  8. Ally says

    June 18, 2020 at 3:34 PM

    Can you substitute white vinegar for the apple cider vinegar?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      June 18, 2020 at 4:06 PM

      Yes, that should work fine.

      Reply
  9. Nora says

    June 14, 2020 at 9:51 PM

    Can you reuse the brine?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      June 15, 2020 at 7:12 AM

      I suppose if you’re going to make another batch of pickled cucumbers it would be ok for one or two more uses.

      Reply
  10. Irene says

    June 5, 2020 at 9:29 PM

    Can you can these for later ? I do a lot of canning and would love to give these as gifts

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      June 6, 2020 at 8:18 AM

      I’ve never done it myself, because we eat them too fast to bother with canning, but if you’re an experienced canner, I would think you could– as long as your following proper canning protocol.

      Reply
  11. Jessica Formicola says

    September 30, 2019 at 10:21 AM

    These pickled cucumbers make such a great snack! I can’t wait to make them again!

    Reply
  12. Raia Todd says

    September 30, 2019 at 10:17 AM

    I love how easy these are. And such a simple veggie!

    Reply
  13. Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life says

    September 30, 2019 at 10:15 AM

    These are so great to have on hand for all sorts of gatherings and dinners! Love how quick and easy this is.

    Reply
  14. Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says

    September 30, 2019 at 10:03 AM

    Oh these are so fantastic! I absolutely love that these are quick and easy to make too.

    Reply
  15. Mel says

    September 30, 2019 at 9:22 AM

    So quick and easy! My children love cucumber so I’m pretty sure they’de be huge and of your pickled cucumbers. Thanks for sharing

    Reply

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Meet Lisa

Lisa

Calling all cooks! You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to get a delicious, healthy meal on the table! At Garlic & Zest, I’ll show you how to make hundreds of seasonal, fresh recipes and indulgent comfort foods with easy step-by-step instructions and photos to help you master the dish.

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