Quick pickles are a tangy treat that is easy to make with a variety of vegetables. Also known as refrigerator pickles, these recipes are simple to throw together in just a few minutes. Then, it only takes about two or three days until you get to taste the crisp, tangy, flavorful pickle goodness that quick pickles bring!
Best Of The Quick Pickle Archives
Pickles are and have always been some of my favorite foods. Even when I was a kid, I’d be more likely to finish a jar of pickles than my Halloween candy! Weird, I know, but true.
I don’t think I’ve ever met a pickle I didn’t like. While there’s a special place in my heart for fermented cucumber pickles and canned dill pickles, quick pickles have made my busy life pickling accessible.
These small-batch pickles are great to make as your garden grows, only taking a jar or two and a little bit of fridge space. They pickle quickly! Meaning you’ll be enjoying pickle goodness in just a few short days.
There is a wide variety of foods that can be pickled, and these recipes are some of my absolute favorites from the quick pickle archives that are tried and true recipes I make every year. It’s not just cucumbers!
Quick Pickle FAQs
Before we start, here are some quick pickle questions I frequently see pop up. I’m here with quick pickle answers!
What is the difference between quick pickles and regular pickles?
Quick pickles, also known as refrigerator pickles, are exactly as they sound. They’re quick to make and quick to pickle. They need to do their pickle magic in the refrigerator, and they stay in the refrigerator. Whereas canned pickles are a much bigger process, are shelf-stable for much longer, and don’t require refrigeration before opening.
How long before you can eat quick pickles?
Usually, it is best to wait three to five days before eating them so the flavors have time to soak in and meld.
How long will refrigerator pickles last?
Since they are stored in the refrigerator, they should last anywhere from two weeks to six months or longer. Check each recipe for specifics.
Can quick pickles go bad?
It’s unlikely, especially since they are made in small batches and will probably be eaten up before they go bad. However, it’s always best to do a smell and taste check if they have been in the refrigerator for an extended time.
Are refrigerator pickles good for you?
Yes! They are a great way to get some nutritious veggies with a different flavor in your diet. Plus, there are many health benefits from the vinegar, too.
Do refrigerator pickles have probiotics?
No, they don’t have probiotics since they aren’t fermented.
Which vinegar is best for quick pickling?
I recommend reading Vinegar 101: The Best for Pickling, Sneaky Labels and How Long it Lasts to answer all of your pickle vinegar questions.
16 Best Quick Pickle Recipes
You can find various pickle recipes and ingredients here for all your pickle needs. Chances are if you have an abundance of something and want to preserve it, you can pickle it!
Cucumber Pickles
The most popular pickles are made with cucumbers. What I love about them is the variety in themselves! I make some of each of these one jar at a time as my garden cucumbers grow.
Refrigerator dill pickles are an ode to classic cucumber pickles that are cut into spears and are flavored with apple cider vinegar, and fresh dill flowers for amazing taste.
Bread and butter refrigerator pickles will grace your sandwiches and burgers with the perfect shape and tang to compliment. With a simple process and small profile, these are a perfect snack any time of day.
Pickled Peppers
If you need some spice up in your life, these refrigerator pickled jalapeño peppers are the way to do it! These are a little more mellow than fresh peppers but have just the right amount of heat and tang to anything you add them to.
These quick pickled pepperoncini peppers are bound to become a favorite summer treat! If you love the Mediterranean-style pickled pepperoncini peppers you find jarred in the store, you’ll love these.
Pickled Roots
Made with coconut sugar, this sweet pickled ginger recipe is a must-have. Sliced and quick pickled to perfection, this condiment is sweet and spicy and a perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes.
Make quick pickled garlic for a mellowed flavor with a slight bite to it. This can replace any fresh garlic in a recipe and is delicious in tuna salad or on a cheese board. Don’t forget to garnish your bloody Mary with it, too!
You want these quick pickled red onions in your refrigerator to add a delicious tangy flavor to hummus plates, wraps, salads, or sandwiches. These give big flavor output and take only a few minutes to put together!
These beautiful and delicious quick pickled beets are a quick and easy way to add color and flavor to your salads and make a great side dish on their own. You’re likely to snack on them right from the jar!
Quick pickled radishes are a crunchy and zesty treat and the best way to keep your garden radishes edible when you’ve got a ton in the garden. These are so easy to throw together and are delicious on almost anything!
Here for the attention they deserve, pickled carrots are sweet, tangy, crunchy, and refreshing. With a mellow and deliciously nuanced flavor, try these on top of a grain bowl, a salad, or on a sandwich.
Quick Pickled Vegetables
Grab your garden-grown green beans and make some refrigerator pickled green beans, also called dilly beans. These will add tangy deliciousness to a charcuterie board, potato salad, or use as garnish on that bloody Mary!
My favorite way to use up unripe tomatoes left on the vine when the nights turn chilly is to make these easy refrigerator pickled green tomatoes. They turn out perfectly tangy, salty, and pickle-y and are great on a burger or with a hummus plate.
Asparagus season is short and sweet, but this pickled asparagus recipe can prolong its life. With a perfect texture and a flavor that the vinegar brings out, pickling is a great way to preserve your asparagus.
Quick pickled cabbage is a wonderful way to add some tang and crunch to a variety of dishes. It’s perfect to have on hand in the fridge to sprinkle on salads, sandwiches, and tacos.
Holiday Pickles
Quick pickled pumpkin is full of warming spices and has a sweet and sour taste that is unique and delicious. It’s perfect for a Thanksgiving side dish or on a holiday appetizer platter!
Make quick pickled cranberries for a sour, tart, and sweet holiday treat. These are perfect for any holiday table, are super simple to make, and are a great way to preserve cranberries for a bright flavor and beautiful presentation.
More Preservation Recipes
- Fermented Honey Garlic
- 12 Ways to Preserve Citrus
- Fermented Jalapeño Honey
- Fermented Jalapeño Hot Sauce
- How to Preserve Cucumbers
- Fermented Cherry Tomatoes
- How to Preserve Zucchini
- Fermented Green Tomatoes
- Salt Fermented Lemons
