Are you tired of store-bought pickles that are overly salty or lack that fresh, vibrant flavor? Then get ready to dive into the world of homemade pickles! This lemon cucumber dill pickle recipe is incredibly easy, requiring minimal effort yet delivering maximum flavor. It's the perfect way to enjoy the crisp freshness of cucumbers transformed into a tangy, delicious treat, ideal for a quick snack or as a side dish to enhance your favorite meals. This recipe is a fantastic example of healthy meals and easy recipes that anyone can master.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups thinly sliced cucumbers (about 4 medium cucumbers)
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best!)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons dill seeds
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Cucumbers: Wash and thinly slice your cucumbers. Using a mandoline slicer ensures even slices, but a sharp knife works perfectly well too. The thinner the slices, the quicker they'll pickle.
Step 2: Combine the Brine: In a medium saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, lemon juice, sugar, and salt. Bring this mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved. Remove from heat.
Step 3: Pack the Jars: Pack the sliced cucumbers tightly into clean, sterilized jars. Add the dill seeds, minced garlic, and peppercorns to each jar.
Step 4: Pour the Brine: Carefully pour the hot brine over the cucumbers, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of the jar. Make sure all the cucumbers are submerged; this prevents spoilage.
Step 5: Seal and Cool: Wipe the rims of the jars clean, then seal tightly with lids. Let the jars cool completely to room temperature. You'll hear the satisfying "pop" of the lids sealing as they cool.
Step 6: Refrigerate and Enjoy: Once cooled, transfer the jars to the refrigerator. These pickles will be ready to eat in at least 24 hours, but they'll develop even more flavor if you let them sit for a few days, or even a week.
Cooking Tips for the Best Pickles:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, crisp cucumbers are key. The better your ingredients, the better your pickles will taste!
- Sterilize your jars: This is crucial for preventing spoilage. You can sterilize jars by washing them in hot, soapy water and then rinsing them thoroughly. You can also boil them for 10 minutes to ensure they are completely clean.
- Don't overpack the jars: Leave that essential 1/2 inch of headspace to allow for expansion during the pickling process.
- Adjust the seasonings: Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar, salt, or lemon juice to your liking. Experiment with different herbs and spices – red pepper flakes would add a nice kick!
Variations:
- Sweet Pickles: Increase the sugar to 1/3 cup for a sweeter pickle.
- Spicy Pickles: Add a few slices of fresh chili pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the jars for a spicy kick.
- Garlic Dill Pickles: Increase the amount of garlic to 6-8 cloves for a stronger garlic flavor.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This information is approximate and will vary depending on the specific ingredients used. This recipe makes approximately 4 servings.
- Calories: 20
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Sodium: 200mg
These lemon cucumber dill pickles are a perfect example of delicious dishes and quick dinner ideas that are also good for you. They’re a fantastic way to add a burst of refreshing flavor to any meal, and they're a great homemade cooking project that even beginner cooks can confidently tackle. Enjoy!