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Bread and Butter Pickles Canning Recipe Made Easy!

An easy, classic bread and butter pickle recipe with cucumbers, onions, sweet-tangy brine, and simple water-bath canning.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Condiment, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 85

Ingredients
  

For the cucumber mixture
  • 4 pounds pickling cucumbers washed, blossom ends trimmed, sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 2 medium sweet onions thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup canning or kosher salt
  • 8 cups crushed ice
For the brine
  • 2 1/2 cups white vinegar 5% acidity
  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar 5% acidity
  • 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon celery seeds
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon whole allspice

Equipment

  • 1 water-bath canner with rack
  • 4 pint canning jars clean and hot
  • 4 lids new lids
  • 4 bands for jars
  • 1 large nonreactive bowl for salting cucumbers
  • 1 large nonreactive pot for brine
  • 1 slotted spoon
  • 1 ladle
  • 1 jar lifter

Method
 

Prepare the cucumbers
  1. Wash the cucumbers well, trim off the blossom ends, and slice the cucumbers into even 1/4-inch rounds. Thinly slice the onions and place both in a large nonreactive bowl.
  2. Sprinkle the salt over the cucumber and onion mixture, toss well, and cover with crushed ice. Let stand for 2 hours.
  3. Prepare the water-bath canner, jars, lids, and bands according to current safe canning guidance. Keep jars hot until ready to fill.
  4. Drain the cucumber mixture thoroughly and rinse well under cool water. Drain again very well.
Make the brine and fill jars
  1. In a large nonreactive pot, combine the white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, cloves, and allspice. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Add the drained cucumbers and onions to the hot brine. Return just to a simmer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until heated through but still crisp-looking.
  3. Using a slotted spoon and ladle, pack the hot cucumber and onion slices into hot pint jars, then pour in the brine to cover, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Distribute spices among the jars.
  4. Remove air bubbles, adjust headspace if needed, wipe the jar rims, and apply lids and bands to fingertip tight.
Process and store
  1. Process the pint jars in a boiling-water canner for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude if needed.
  2. Turn off the heat, wait 5 minutes, then remove the jars and place them on a towel-lined surface to cool undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours.
  3. Check the seals, label the jars, and let the pickles rest for at least 1 week before opening for the best flavor.

Notes

Use fresh, firm pickling cucumbers for the best texture. Trim blossom ends and avoid overcooking once cucumbers are added to the brine. For safe canning, do not reduce the vinegar or increase the vegetables. Refrigerate any jar that does not seal and use it first.