I have been wanting to make some homemade pickles, which is something I have done before, when I saw a bag of mini pickles at Costco the other day. I just had to have them! I created a recipe that you can either spice up or not with red pepper flakes to your liking, as well adjust the sweetness. Since our grandkids were visiting this week I was in a hurry and wanted a fast recipe so I opted to make sliced pickles instead of leaving those adorable little things whole. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Sweet and Spicy Pickles
Ingredients
- 10 mini or 3 regular sized thinly sliced pickles with skin
- 1/4 yellow onion, chopped
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 cups rice vinegar (There are sodium free and sugar free rice vinegars available.)
- 1/2 to 1-1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional) (I used 1-1/2 and they were medium to medium-high heat.)
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan add vinegar and sugar. Heat until sugar is melted. Don’t try and take a whiff as I did. It will burn your sinuses! Whoo!
- In a large plastic or glass container with a lid, add cucumbers, onion, red pepper flakes and any other seasoning you desire.
- Pour the vinegar on top of the cucumbers; close lid and refrigerate until cold or overnight. They soften slightly as they chill, but remain crunchy.
- You can add your favorite spices such as celery seed, dill, etc.
Serving Suggestions
- Besides the obvious, hamburgers, etc., you can chop them up and use them as a relish in tuna salad, hot dogs, etc.
That’s it! It’s easy and quick! Enjoy!
SALT-FREE grabbed my attention! Thanks, I have some Nakano rice vinegar, which is sodium-free. Had not thought of using that for pickles
I usually try to cook low-sodium. I use Marucan. It’s sugar-free and sodium-free. I love these! I have readers email and tell me how easy they are to make and that often they don’t wait for them to cool for very long before eating. Enjoy!
I have been looking for a recipe exactly like this! Awesome! Thank you for posting!
You are very welcome, Megan. Enjoy!