How to Make Fermented Kosher-Style Dill Pickles - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's something about the tangy, crunchy bite of a fermented kosher-style dill pickle that is simply irresistible. Whether you're enjoying them as a snack on their own or as a zesty addition to your favorite sandwich or salad, these pickles are a beloved staple in many households. And the best part? They're surprisingly easy to make at home!

What sets kosher-style dill pickles apart from other types of pickles is their traditional method of fermentation. This process not only preser...

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Ingredients

  • ½ gallon water
  • 2 pounds Kirby cucumbers
  • 1 cup tap water
  • ⅓ cup kosher salt
  • 5 cloves fresh garlic, or more to taste
  • 1 bunch fresh dill, stems trimmed
  • 3 dried chile de arbol peppers

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Additional Time: 2 days
  • Total Time: 2 days 20 mins
  • Servings: 16
  • Yield: 2 quarts

  • Pour 1/2 gallon water into a large container or pot. Cover loosely and allow to sit for 24 hours to allow dissolved chlorine to escape.
  • Crisp cucumbers by storing in the refrigerator or soaking in very cold water for 1 hour.
  • Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a saucepan. Add salt and stir to combine. Set aside to cool.
  • Wash cucumbers in cold water and remove any blossoms clinging to them. Quarter large cucumbers lengthwise; cut medium cucumbers in half lengthwise; leave gherkin-sized cucumbers whole.
  • Peel and gently crush garlic cloves, but don't splinter them into fragments.
  • Pour cooled salt water into a 1/2-gallon mason jar. Add cucumbers, garlic, dill, and dried chile peppers, arranged attractively. Pack cucumbers tightly; they will shrink as they pickle. Fill the jar with dechlorinated water until cucumbers are just covered to avoid overly diluting brine.
  • Loosely cover the jar and set it aside at room temperature; set the jar on a dish if it is full to catch any dribbles. Let sit undisturbed until fermentation begins, 12 to 24 hours.
  • Refrigerate pickles in brine and loosely covered as they approach the pickling stage you prefer: new, half-sour, or sour. Don't overshoot the mark, as refrigeration slows but does not stop fermentation.
  • Nutrition

    30 cal.

    • Total Fat: 0g
    • Sodium: 1906mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 6g
    • Dietary Fiber: 0g
    • Total Sugars: 1g
    • Protein: 1g
    • Vitamin C: 5mg
    • Calcium: 26mg
    • Iron: 0mg
    • Potassium: 102mg