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Grandma’s Dill Pickle Recipe
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August 10, 2018 · 58 Comments

Grandma’s Dill Pickle Recipe

Preserving· Recipes

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How to make classic homemade dill pickles using fresh cucumbers, dill, spices, and brine. This recipe follows a simple hot water bath method.

Dill pickles, they’re evocative of my childhood and weekends at Nana’s house. Each summer my grandmother would carry out the ritual of preserving the garden surplus and of everything she made, pickles were my favorite. Her pantry would be filled with bottles showcasing all the colors of the rainbow — red beets, orange carrots, green beans, and more. Without fail, there would always be jars of crunchy gherkins ready for a little blonde headed girl to crack into too. I loved them so much that I’d even sip the brine!

This recipe follows her basic principle of canning pickles with dill, spices, and vinegar. You pack raw gherkins into jars, pour over the homemade brine, and water bath them to sterilize and seal them. Once made, your jars of homemade dill pickles will last about a year.

Grandma's recipe for crunchy Dill Pickles. Using fresh cucumbers, dill, spices, and brine, this flexible recipe follows a simple hot water bath method #lovelygreens #canning #preserving #dillpickles #preservetheharvest #gardenrecipe #kitchengarden #hotwaterbath #cucumberrecipe

Recipe for crunchy Dill Pickles

Sliced cucumbers about to be packed into jars

From Garden to Jar

To this day I still enjoy homemade pickles and not just for the nostalgia factor. They’re a relatively simple preserve to make and some of the ingredients are easy to grow in almost any temperate garden. I’ve found that one of the easiest ways that you can grow them is on a DIY Cucumber Pallet Trellis.

For me, they’re one of the best ways as a kitchen gardener to connect the dots between all four seasons. From sowing seeds in the spring to harvesting garlic, dill, and gherkins in the summer, to preserving the lot and enjoying them in the darkest days of winter. Each jar of pickles contains not only a savory treat but also a year’s worth of experiences.

Cucumbers can be grown and outdoors

Some people seem surprised to find that I grow cucumbers outdoors in the Isle of Man. It’s a cool to temperate climate here but I’ve found that some varieties do so well that they can produce mountains of fruit from just a few plants. Marketmore is one of my favorites but there are many varieties of cucumbers and gherkins that are suitable for preserving.

The way I grow my gherkins is by sowing seeds indoors at the end of April and then plant the small plants out into a sunny spot in mid-June. I’ve grown them trained up an old metal headboard before but this year I have them on a pallet cucumber trellis. It’s very easy to build as you can see in the video above.

Recipe for crunchy Dill Pickles

Dill flowers intensify the flavor

garlic & dill

For this recipe, I’ve also grown the dill and garlic. In my garden, they can both be ready to harvest at about the same time as the gherkins. Though you can use shop-bought, growing both dill and garlic is relatively easy and you can see my growing tips over here. When it comes to using homegrown dill in pickles, use the flavorsome leaves but add some of the flowers too. Both the flowers and seed have a more intense flavor than dill leaves on their own.

Recipe for crunchy Dill Pickles

Growing cucumbers with the support of a metal headboard

Grandma's Dill Pickle Recipe

Lovely Greens
How to make classic homemade dill pickles using fresh cucumbers, dill, spices, and brine. This recipe follows a simple hot water bath method.
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hr
Cook Time 15 mins
Resting time 1 hr 30 mins
Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 8 per jar
Calories 64 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Pickling cucumbers / gherkins
  • 1 Tbsp Dill leaves per quart
  • 1-2 whole Dill flower heads per quart
  • 1/2 tsp Peppercorns per quart
  • 2 cloves of Garlic per quart
  • Water
  • White vinegar
  • Sea salt or Kosher salt
  • Preserving jars & lids

Instructions
 

  • Sterilize your preserving jars with either boiling water or by placing them in an oven at 130°C/265°F for thirty minutes. Whatever your method of sterilization, allow the jars to cool before packing them with your ingredients. While they're cooling, take your jar's lids and place them in bowl of boiling hot water. Leave them there until you need to fit them onto the jars.
  • Wash your gherkins and start packing them into your jars. If they're small, pop them in whole but if medium to large cut them into slices. This helps to get more into the jar and also for easier serving once the jar is opened. For each quart of pickles you'll add half a teaspoon of black peppercorns, two whole garlic cloves and plenty of dill.
  • Make the brine: for approximately every four quarts of tightly packed gherkins you'll need to bring two quarts of water and one quart of white vinegar to a boil. Add 1/2 cup of salt and stir until dissolved. Let this cool until just warm and then pour it into each of the jars, filling to a centimeter (just less than 1/2") below the top of the jar's brim.
  • Clean the tops of the jars then fit on your preserving lids and screw the rings on. Most every preserving recipe will tell you to not over-tighten the rings but in my experience I've found that it's best to twist them on fully but not super tight. If they're too loose then the contents of your jars can leak out in the water bath.
  • Place a metal preserving rack or towel at the bottom of a deep preserving pan and then place the jars inside. The jars should be at least an inch apart and the pan needs to be deep enough to have the jars inside with over an inch of water comfortably covering the tops.
  • Cover the jars with warm/hot water from the tap then bring the pan to a boil. Boil the jars for fifteen minutes then lift them out of the water. If you're using a towel at the bottom of the pan then you'll need a 'jar lifter' tool available at many kitchen shops. Set the jars on the counter and allow to cool. You'll know that the jars are properly sealed when you hear the lids popping.
  • Allow the pickles to infuse with the brine for at least two weeks before eating them. Stored in jars in a cool pantry your pickles will last up to a year, though I doubt you'll be able to let them sit there that long.

Nutrition

Calories: 64kcal
Keyword cucumber, pickling, preserving
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

* You’ll notice that my preserving lids in this recipe are white plastic rather than traditional metal. That’s because I’m using Tattler Reusable Regular Size Canning Lids, a BPA free alternative to the ones more commonly used.

Grandma's recipe for crunchy Dill Pickles. Using fresh cucumbers, dill, spices, and brine, this flexible recipe follows a simple hot water bath method. Once made, the pickles can be stored for up to a year #lovelygreens #canning #preserving #dillpickles #preservetheharvest #gardenrecipe #kitchengarden #hotwaterbath #cucumberrecipe

Grandma's recipe for crunchy Dill Pickles. Using fresh cucumbers, dill, spices, and brine, this flexible recipe follows a simple hot water bath method. Once made, the pickles can be stored for up to a year #lovelygreens #canning #preserving #dillpickles #preservetheharvest #gardenrecipe #kitchengarden #hotwaterbath #cucumberrecipe

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ashley says

    October 12, 2020 at 7:26 pm

    5 stars
    Sounds amazing! I’ve made your dill pickle pasta before and I was a huge fan. I’ll have to try your Dill Pickle recipe next. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Colleen says

    August 10, 2020 at 4:55 pm

    How long will the pickles last in the pantry ?

    Reply
    • lovelygreens says

      August 14, 2020 at 3:30 pm

      Dill pickles have a shelf-life of one year. After that time they can still be edible but the pickles may go soft.

      Reply
  3. jasmine says

    July 19, 2020 at 1:39 am

    5 stars
    Amazingly Delicious!

    Reply
  4. Amy says

    June 23, 2019 at 6:21 pm

    I have been using this recipe for the past 2 years. My family loves it. The local stores don’t have fresh dill with the flowers so I just use the leaves and dried seeds. I also add 1/4tsp mustard seed to each quart jar. And I have tried spicy by adding a little crushed red pepper or even fresh sliced jalapeños.

    Reply
    • lovelygreens says

      June 24, 2019 at 8:40 am

      Great additions — really pleased you and your family love the recipe 🙂

      Reply
  5. lovelygreens says

    August 14, 2018 at 12:09 pm

    5 stars
    Crispy, garlicky, homemade dill pickles — hope you enjoy the recipe!

    Reply
  6. cathie christensen says

    August 24, 2017 at 12:08 am

    I’m wondering if there’s any way to reduce the salt? Any time we can cut out some, I like to try. Thankss

    Reply
  7. Sauerkraut Billy says

    August 14, 2017 at 11:14 pm

    Thanks for such a great recipe! Can’t wait to try it at home the next time I decide to tackle a pickling project!

    Reply
  8. Tekia says

    August 3, 2017 at 12:40 am

    Did you have extra brine? I had 6 quart jars so I half doubles the reciepe. I used 3 quarts water to 1.5 quarts vinegar and o had a lot of brine left.. I just hope they still turn out

    Reply
    • lovelygreens says

      August 3, 2017 at 10:09 am

      They will do Tekia — just so long as the jars are filled up.

      Reply
  9. Jupiterrose says

    August 30, 2016 at 10:47 pm

    Interesting recipe but I am a little confused about the quart. a quart of what? I have figured out that a quart is a little less than a litre but does it refer to the vinegar, the water, the gherkins? Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • lovelygreens says

      August 30, 2016 at 11:18 pm

      A quart is a way of measuring units of liquid – it’s two US pints.

      Reply
  10. Trina R. White says

    July 26, 2016 at 12:07 am

    Have you ever used grape leaf when canning pickles?

    Reply
  11. Donella Rideout-Martini says

    July 20, 2016 at 5:17 pm

    Made these and they got 8 thumbs up from my family. We wee able to try some just before it was time to can the next batch. Your recipe will be my 100% go to for yummy dill pickles from now on. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • lovelygreens says

      July 21, 2016 at 5:53 pm

      Really pleased to hear they were enjoyed Donella 🙂

      Reply
  12. Margy says

    July 16, 2016 at 6:55 pm

    I don’t have cucumbers, but lots of zucchini, so I’m going to try to make dill pickles out of some of them as an experiment. Worth a try I have so much squash to find a use for.

    Reply
    • lovelygreens says

      July 18, 2016 at 10:02 am

      I’m interested to learn how they turn out. I don’t think they’ll have the ‘crunch’ but they will probably be tasty.

      Reply
    • Jupiterrose says

      August 30, 2016 at 10:53 pm

      I have a lovely curry recipe for pickeling zucchinis which my mum used to make. I can send it to you if you are interested.

      Reply
  13. Jennifer Butt says

    July 3, 2016 at 5:30 pm

    I just made these pickles. I hope they taste as good as the dill smells!

    Reply
  14. Bessie says

    May 18, 2016 at 2:53 pm

    This is the same wonderful recipe that has been in my family for years . At least 100. The only different thing that we do is add a grape leaf to the very top just before putting on the lid. These are just sooo good.

    Reply
  15. Guy says

    May 17, 2016 at 7:42 am

    Love this recipe so much! Thanks for sharing. Is there any way to reuse the brine after enjoying the pickles?? Just curious if you have maybe tried it or had any success with that. Thanks again!

    Reply
    • lovelygreens says

      May 17, 2016 at 11:57 am

      I remember drinking it as a kid! haha 🙂 I’m sure there’s a use for it but haven’t tried myself. Keep in mind that it’s been cooked in the jar, opened, and possibly left in the fridge for a while though. It might be best to just make more brine if you need some.

      Reply
    • Jupiterrose says

      August 30, 2016 at 10:53 pm

      Yes, I have a recipe for lentils which uses pickeling brine. Every time I make lentil salad I use some brine instead of vinegar ad it tastes really good. I am sure you could substitute it for vinegar.

      Reply
  16. Kara says

    August 17, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    any suggestions if I do not have the dill leaves and heads?

    Reply
    • lovelygreens says

      August 18, 2015 at 2:57 pm

      Dill pickles without dill? You could use dried dill if you don’t have access to fresh (most large grocery stores should have both).

      Reply
  17. patrice says

    July 23, 2015 at 8:36 pm

    Where can I get dill leaves? I am not growing the cucumbers myself.

    Reply
    • lovelygreens says

      July 28, 2015 at 9:45 am

      Try a local Farmers Market if you can’t find fresh dill available at your local supermarket.

      Reply
  18. lovelygreens says

    July 8, 2015 at 6:12 pm

    Thanks so much Heather! 🙂

    Reply
  19. Christina says

    September 21, 2014 at 11:17 pm

    Thanks for sharing the recipe ~ I can't wait to try it! Do you have a table for how long they need to be int he canner for based on location? I am at over 6000ft above sea level. Thanks!

    Reply
  20. Storage in Balmoral says

    September 30, 2013 at 10:33 am

    Howdy! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!

    Reply
  21. Lindsay says

    September 8, 2013 at 6:45 pm

    Oh my goodness I have been obsessed with making pickles! I posted something recently as well. I just can't get enough of them! However, I've been doing refrigerator pickles for the extra crisp — have yours retained the crispiness in the water bath?

    Reply
    • Tanya @ Lovely Greens says

      September 11, 2013 at 6:40 am

      I've opened two jars already and they're crisp and tasty 🙂 Though as time goes on they will soften a bit.

      Reply
  22. Amy Lou says

    August 30, 2013 at 9:20 pm

    I just found your site–It's fantastic! We're off-grid in Northern New Mexico. One of my goals (along with fifty others) is to grow all the ingredients for making pickles. This will involve a greenhouse and more rainwater catchment, so it's a next-year-goal… But now I have an awesome recipe when I'm ready. Thanks for this!

    Reply
    • Tanya @ Lovely Greens says

      August 31, 2013 at 5:24 am

      It's amazing how different gardening spaces are around the world but there's one thing they all share in common – challenges. For me, it's getting enough sunshine. In your area it's probably the opposite! Hope you have luck growing your dill pickle ingredients next year 🙂

      Reply
  23. Sue Garrett says

    August 29, 2013 at 8:48 am

    The only problem with pickle making is the fumes given off by boiling vinegar which is why my husband makes the pickles outside on a camping stove!

    Reply
    • Tanya @ Lovely Greens says

      August 31, 2013 at 5:20 am

      You could try heating without boiling to keep the fumes down…you just need the brine warm enough that the salt dissolves. The boiling/sterilisation part would take place in the hot water bath.

      Reply
  24. Lindsey at NW Backyard Veggies says

    August 26, 2013 at 1:57 am

    First off, let me say that seeing the "Made in the USA" label on your bottle tops made me smile – it's nice to know we manufacture more than just war these days.

    Also – I'm pinning this recipe – it seems easy and yummy and straight to the point – all hallmarks of great recipes, in my humble opinion. Yay, tradition!

    I just made bread and butter pickles along with my first run of dills, and both recipes were good, but nothing to write home about. I'm always on the hunt for new recipes!

    Reply
    • Tanya @ Lovely Greens says

      August 26, 2013 at 8:58 am

      Thanks for the pin Lindsey and hope you have luck with this recipe…it's simple but classic 🙂

      And LOVE the Tattlers…I wish they were easier to get a hold of here.

      Reply
  25. Rose Hascall says

    August 25, 2013 at 8:42 pm

    I love dill pickles, especially homemade ones. My grandmother always made them in a crock. My recipe is similar to yours. I haven't made them in a few years but plan on it this year. Yummy.
    Love your pictures. Made me hungry for a dill pickle right now.

    Reply
    • Tanya @ Lovely Greens says

      August 26, 2013 at 8:57 am

      That's the other way to make pickles…fermenting in a crock! Have fun with your own batch Rose 🙂

      Reply
      • Maureen says

        July 7, 2019 at 1:58 am

        5 stars
        Have made your receipe and used grape leaves from my vines washed my batch was crispy and tasty now I’m going to make 24 quart jars thanks so much for the simple recipe fresh dill as well maureen Liebman la Quinta calif

        Reply
  26. allotmentadventureswithjean says

    August 25, 2013 at 4:29 pm

    They look delicious and your instructions are so clear and easy to follow.
    I must give this a try.
    Your Tattler lids are interesting – that's the first time I've seen them.

    Reply
    • Tanya @ Lovely Greens says

      August 26, 2013 at 8:56 am

      They're not available in the UK and I only found out about them through another blogger, Sunnybrook Farm. Love them though!

      Reply
  27. Judith/Ida says

    August 25, 2013 at 1:27 pm

    Think it is a special gift to your nana to follow in her footsteps,that generation lived the green life.

    The parcel arrived early in the week full of soaps,HB insists we always have the lavender soaps
    on hand for his baths/showers!
    Wish I could have visited your stall beautifully laid out as shown in your post,yummie honeys.
    Hope your BH w/e is having better weatherthan here we have thick cloud with a sharp north east
    wind.

    Reply
    • Tanya @ Lovely Greens says

      August 26, 2013 at 8:55 am

      Really great to hear Judith! I smiled when reading that HB loves the lavender soap 🙂 Maybe one day you'll be able to visit my stall to say hello if you ever make it to the island. Enjoy the soaps! 🙂

      Reply
  28. CJ says

    August 25, 2013 at 6:57 am

    They look delicious Tanya. You are right, it is lovely to have things from the summer put by to eat in the depths of winter. I'm rapidly running out of space in the freezer for things though, so pickles are a great idea. How is your allotment doing?

    Reply
    • Tanya @ Lovely Greens says

      August 26, 2013 at 8:53 am

      Allotment is doing great but is getting a bit out of control at the moment! I hope to spend more time weeding/harvesting this week!

      Reply
  29. Caro (UrbanVegPatch) says

    August 24, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    Mmmm, yum. I love the taste of pickles but, sadly, don't have the storage space to can lots of veg. Yours look glorious and love the timing of growing it all together – as nature intended!

    Reply
    • Tanya @ Lovely Greens says

      August 26, 2013 at 8:52 am

      Shame about that Caro…it seems that storage is your main challenge! Do you not have any room in your kitchen cupboards? How about under the bed?

      Reply
  30. littlemancat says

    August 24, 2013 at 2:17 pm

    Now I want pickles! Your photographs are just beautiful – that deep green and the greeny-gold dill. Lovely.
    Mary

    Reply
    • Tanya @ Lovely Greens says

      August 26, 2013 at 8:51 am

      Vegetables are such easy subjects…they're naturally delicious looking 🙂

      Reply
  31. Sandy says

    August 24, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    They look delicious! Thank you for he recipe.

    Reply
    • Tanya @ Lovely Greens says

      August 26, 2013 at 8:51 am

      Welcome 🙂

      Reply
  32. Fran says

    August 24, 2013 at 1:00 pm

    Where was this recipe two weeks ago when I was pickling my gherkins, it looks delicious. I do have some more gherkins ready to go so I will try it out xxx

    Reply
    • Tanya @ Lovely Greens says

      August 26, 2013 at 8:51 am

      There you go 🙂 What recipe did you use for your first batch Fran?

      Reply
  33. Sunnybrook Farm says

    August 24, 2013 at 11:12 am

    Those look really nice, I can smell them from here. That is so neat that you got some of the Tattler lids, they cost more but you will have the use of them for years so it is a good deal.
    Our cucumbers couldn't handle the wet weather, I guess disease spreads quickly, so like tomatoes I will try again next year. Are you really going to wait until winter to eat them?

    Reply
    • Tanya @ Lovely Greens says

      August 26, 2013 at 8:50 am

      Thanks again for recommending them to me! I couldn't find them for sale in the UK but fortunately was able to purchase them through a US Ebay seller.

      Shame about your tomatoes and cucumbers…I certainly know what it's like as a gardener having to contend with wet weather (last year was the worst!). And yes, there should be plenty left for the winter…my plants are popping out gherkins left and right 🙂

      Reply

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