Overnight Refrigerator Pickles are crisp, crunchy, dill-y and come together in a flash. The fridge does the work for you and before you know it you're armed with a great side dish for all those backyard barbecues and summer potlucks!
Jump to:
Raise your hand if you like pickles! Me too! It's no secret that I love easy recipes that are fresh and natural. Have you seen my Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipe or my Fresh Cherry Salsa?
These Overnight Pickles are exactly that and oh so delicious! Of course they are better than store bought because they are all natural-- but they also have a different flavor than store bought because they aren't canned.
They are a bit more mild and that makes them pair perfectly with just about anything because they're not overpowering.
Key Ingredients
- Cucumbers- If you have garden fresh, they are the BEST! There are a few varieties of cucumbers and the ones with the most flavor and most benefits are the smaller ones meant for pickling. Sometimes they are referred to as "salad cucumbers" in the store.
- Onions- I like Vidalia or sweet-- any will do. Red onions are more mild, but will also color your water.
- Garlic- use as much as you like
- Dill- Fresh is best, either from your garden or the produce department. Dried dill could be used in a pinch, but you'll need much less.
- Vinegar- Plain ol' white vinegar
- Sugar and Salt- Flavors and acts as a preservative.
How To Make Overnight Pickles
This is an overview of the instructions, be sure to see the recipe card for all the details.
STEP ONE: PREPARE THE VINEGAR SOLUTION
- Add the sugar, salt, vinegar and water to a saucepan.
- Heat on the stove, over low heat, stirring occasionally, just to dissolve the sugar and salt. Allow to cool while you prepare the cucumbers.
STEP TWO: PREPARE THE CUCUMBERS
- Cut the cucumbers into your desired shape, slice the onions and peel the garlic.
- Fill Mason Jars cucumbers, onions, garlic and dill. Pack them in.
- Pour the vinegar solution into the jars with the veggies.
- Cover the jars, and place them in the refrigerator. They'll be ready to enjoy in about 24 hours.
These are NOT canned pickles. Therefore, they are much easier and quicker to make! I have nothing against canning, as a matter of fact, I can't wait to get to that season of my life.
Expert Tips
- This recipe makes about 2 quart size jars of pickles. The number of pickles you need will depend on the size of your cucumbers. I can usually get 1-2 in each jar.
- Slice the pickles into spears, or rounds. You can make them as thin or thick as you want. You can even do whole pickles.
- A Mandoline Slicer works perfectly for getting every slice the same size. I love mine, but proceed with caution! Full Disclosure, I got stitches once from it!! I highly recommend the cut resistant gloves while using.
- Wide mouth mason jars work best because it's easier to get the cucumbers in and out.
- There is such a small amount of sugar in these that I don't worry about it, however, if you want to go sugar free, you can use a stevia based sweetener. I've made these with Truvia before (cut the amount in half) and they taste fine, but the vinegar solution does look a little cloudy.
- To make them sweeter, increase the sugar.
- If you like spicy, add red pepper flakes to your jars.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- NO CANNING!
- Quick and Easy!
- Just a handful of ingredients.
They keep in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks.
Cucumbers have loads of benefits, they are high in nutrients, antioxidants and aid in hydration.
Storing and Freezing
Overnight Pickles should be refrigerated, and stored in the refrigerator. They will keep for 4-6 weeks--they never last that long in our fridge though because we devour them!
I don't recommend freezing pickles, they are best served fresh.
Video
If you'd prefer to watch this recipe, check out my YouTube video!
You May Also Like
Please share
Your shares are how this site grows, and I appreciate each one. Do you know someone who would enjoy this recipe?
I’d love it if you shared it on your favorite Pinterest board or Facebook! AND…if you like this recipe, please do me a favor and give it a ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ rating! TIA 🥰
You can also follow along on YouTube and Instagram!
📋 Recipe
Overnight Refrigerator pickles
Equipment
- mason jars
- medium sauce pan
- Mandoline optional
Ingredients
- 2-3 cucumbers sliced into rounds or spears
- ½ onion sliced into half moons
- 2 cloves garlic peeled, or more depending on preference
- 1 bunch of dill
- 3 cups water
- ¾ cup distilled white vinegar
- 2 ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 Tbs sugar
Instructions
- Combine water, vinegar, sugar, and salt into a medium saucepan and turn heat to low. Heat and stir occasionally until sugar and salt is dissolved. Allow to cool while you prepare cucumbers and veggies.
- Place sliced cucumbers, onions, garlic and dill into a quart size mason jar, or other container. Pack it in tight.
- Pour the vinegar solution over the cucumbers, making sure they are covered, and seal with lids. Place in the refrigerator. Ready to serve in 24 hours.
Notes
- This recipe makes about 2 quart size jars of pickles. The number of pickles you need will depend on the size of your cucumbers. I can usually get 1-2 in each jar.
- Slice the pickles into spears, or rounds. You can make them as thin or thick as you want. You can even do whole pickles.
- A Mandoline Slicer works perfectly for getting every slice the same size. I love mine, but proceed with caution! Full Disclosure, I got stitches once from it!! I highly recommend the cut resistant gloves while using.
- If you want to go sugar free, you can use a stevia based sweetener. I've made these with Truvia before (cut the amount in half) and they taste fine, but the vinegar solution does look a little cloudy.
- To make them sweeter, increase the sugar.
- If you like spicy, add red pepper flakes to your jars.
Nutrition
If you want to keep up with fb live videos, you can follow me here on facebook
For recipes in your inbox, subscribe>>>(in the sidebar)! It's FREE!
Chellie Schmitz
Faye, forgive my delay in response-- I didn't see this til now. So, the sugar helps with preserving, even though they're not canned, but it is not sweet tasting at all, it's primarily dill and garlic that you taste.
Faye
What happens if I don't use sugar? I like a good dill pickle but not sweet. Just curious as I've never tried quick pickles, only canned.
Chellie Schmitz
No, you can pour the warm liquid on them. If you do let it cool, it won’t hurt.
Stacey
Do you need to let the liquid cool before pouring over cucumbers?
Chellie Schmitz
I'm so glad you love them!! Thanks for taking the time to tell me about it. 🙂
ElaneJ
So delicious! And easy! We made these the other night and I love them. Reminds me of the whole dill pickles a restaurant in Atlanta used to serve.
Chellie Schmitz
Yes, you can substitute dried dill. a 3-5" spring of fresh dill is equivalent to about a 1/4 tsp of dried dill. So for this recipe that would be 1/2 teaspoon per quart. Personally, I would probably add a bit more than that, but it will depend on your preference. Come back and let me know how it works out!
Nicci
Can you use dried dill weed instead of sprigs of dill? If so, how much should I use?
Chellie Schmitz
I would trust them for a few good weeks. Honestly, we found a jar hiding in the back of our spare fridge a year later and we ate them-- we are all still in good health! LOL! But realistically, at my house, I can barely keep them in stock, we go through them quickly.
Barb
How long can these last in the fridge?
Chellie Schmitz
Courtney, honestly we can't keep them around for very long because we all love them so much. I'd say you're still safe in a month. One year I found a year old jar that was hidden in the back of our spare refrigerator. We ate them and we're still alive. 😉 Enjoy!!
Courtney
How long will these keep in the fridge?
chellie
Oh yay! They are super easy! I hope you loved them and thanks for stopping by!!
Marleen D Mahon
Looks so easy, making these tomorrow, I can hardly wait now!
Ashley
I can't wait to try this recipe!
Colleen
My favorite kind of pickle! They don't get mushy smushy!!! Thanks for sharing on Foodie FriDIY!
Edye
These look so easy to make! Thanks for sharing :]
Blessings,
Edye
Leigh
Pinned! I can't wait to try these!