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    Home » Pickles and Preserves » Bread and Butter Pickles

    Bread and Butter Pickles

    Published: Aug 13, 2020 by Alexandra Cook

    For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

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    Jump to Recipe Leave Review

    These Bread and Butter Pickles are so tasty and easy to prepare! Ideal to add to sandwiches or burgers, or served alongside grilled meats or vegetables. They make a fabulous edible gift and are great to have on hand!

    Round black bowl with pickles, set on a white marble background.

    Why we love this recipe:

    I grew up spending a lot of time in the kitchen with my Grandma, Great Aunt and Mum. Recipes passed down through generations are my favourite, and this recipe is something my Grandma made frequently.

    Homemade Bread and Butter Pickles are a real delight. To say they are superior to store-bought is not an exaggeration, and it is such a great way to use up an abundance of quality, fresh produce.

    These pickles are my favourite to serve on a delicious burger – I think the pickles might actually be the best part!

    Ingredients in this recipe:

    ingredients in this recipe, set on a white background.

    Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

    Cucumbers – use the freshest you can find, and ensure they are free from blemishes. Pickling or baby cucumbers are ideal for this recipe.

    Brown Onion – enhances the flavour of the pickles, and is delicious to enjoy with them.

    Salt – ensure you use cooking salt or sea salt, as regular table salt may contain caking agents and is much stronger. We use the salt in this recipe to draw out the excess moisture from the cucumbers and soften the brown onions.

    Apple Cider Vinegar – a great vinegar to use for pickling due to its fruity flavour that complements the cucumbers and spices.

    Sugar – regular granulated sugar works fine. It helps to preserve the pickles and balances the flavour. Caster/Superfine sugar is also fine to use.

    Turmeric – provides vibrant colour to the Bread and Butter Pickles, and enhances the flavour with its earthy qualities.

    Mustard and Coriander Seeds – provides a boost of flavour to these delicious pickles, and are ingredients my Grandma always used in hers!

    Step by Step Instructions:

    Start by sterilising your jar or jars (see how to do this below).

    the first four steps of preparing the pickles.
    1. Wash and dry the cucumbers. Remove the top and end. Cut thinly – approximately ½ cm thick. Thinly slice the brown onion.
    2. In a large bowl, add the cucumbers, onion and salt. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and place in the fridge for 4 hours.
    3. Tip the cucumbers and onions into a colander and drain the excess liquid.
    4. In a non-reactive pan, place the vinegar, sugar, turmeric, coriander and mustard seeds. On medium heat, stir to dissolve the sugar. Simmer for 3 minutes once the sugar is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat.
    5. Add the cucumbers and onions to the pickling liquid, and allow them to sit in the saucepan for 5 minutes.
    6. Pour the pickles and liquid into your sterilised jars, and cool on your kitchen bench before refrigerating.
    the final two steps of preparing the pickles.

    Tips for Success and FAQs:

    When making your own pickles and preserves, always ensure you are sterilising the jars you will store them in. This is very simple to do:

    • Choose glass jars with an airtight, metal lid and ensure they have been washed by hand in hot soapy water then rinsed well.
    • Check that the metal lids do not have rubber inserts.
    • Preheat the oven to 130 Degrees C (270 F) and leave the jars for 15-20 minutes.
    What are the best cucumbers to use?

    Some cucumbers are specifically grown to be made into pickles. These smaller cucumbers are firm, meaning they retain good shape when pickled. For my pickles, I have used homegrown mini Lebanese Cucumbers. They are sweet and have a great crunch.   

    How long will the Bread and Butter Pickles last?

    Stored in the fridge, the pickles will last for about 3-4 months. They are best consumed within the first three months for the best texture and taste. The longer you keep the pickles, the softer they will become.

    What other flavour combinations can I make?

    We also have recipes for Spicy Cucumber Pickles and Dill Pickled Cucumbers. Enjoy these!


    up close shot of a round black bowl, with the pickles in it, set on a white background.

    More recipes for you to try:

    Once you start making your own preserves and pickles, it is hard to go back to store-bought!

    Try these recipes also for more inspiration:

    • Preserved Chillies in Oil
    • Apricot Jam
    • Plum Jam
    • Japanese Pickled Ginger (Gari)
    • Fresh Peach Chutney
    • Sweet Chilli Sauce
    • Balsamic Glaze
    • Pickled Daikon
    • Beetroot Pickled Turnips

    I hope you’ll give my Grandma’s recipe for Bread and Butter Pickles a try – I would love to know what you think in the comments below!

    Alex xx

    Bread and Butter Pickles

    These Bread and Butter Pickles are simple to prepare and a great addition to so many meals!
    4.87 from 67 votes
    Print Pin Review
    Course: Pickles, Preserves, Side Dish
    Cuisine: International
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Fridge Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
    Servings: 1 700ml (23 fluid oz) Jar
    Calories: 962kcal
    Author: Alexandra Cook – It’s Not Complicated Recipes

    Ingredients

    • 400 g baby/pickling cucumbers See Note 1
    • 1 medium brown/yellow onion
    • 1 ½ tablespoon coarse salt See Note 2 and 3
    • 1 cup (250 ml) apple cider vinegar See Note 4
    • 1 cup (225 g) sugar
    • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
    • 2 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds

    Recipe Measurements:

    For accuracy, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    To Sterilise the Jars:

    • Sterilise the jar or jars you'll be using to store the pickles. Choose glass jars with an airtight, metal lid and ensure they have been washed by hand in hot soapy water then rinsed well. Check that the metal lids do not have rubber inserts.
      Preheat the oven to 130 Degrees C (270 F) and place the jars in the oven for 15-20 minutes.

    For the Pickled Cucumbers:

    • Wash and dry the cucumbers. Remove the top and end.
      Thinly slice – approximately ½ cm thick.
    • Peel a brown onion, and remove the tip and root end. Cut the onion in half, and thinly slice into half moons.
    • In a large bowl, add the cucumbers, onion and salt. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and place in the fridge for 4 hours.
    • Tip the cucumbers and onions into a colander and drain the excess liquid.
    • In a non-reactive pan, place the vinegar, sugar, turmeric, coriander and mustard seeds. On a medium heat, stir to dissolve the sugar.
      Once the sugar is dissolved, simmer the liquid for 3 minutes.
    • Remove the saucepan from the heat, and add the cucumbers and onions to the pickling liquid, and allow them to sit in the saucepan for 5 minutes.
    • Pour the pickles and liquid into your sterilised jars and seal. Cool the jars on your kitchen bench before refrigerating.
      Once cool, your pickles are ready to consume. The flavours will develop further in 24-48 hours.

    Notes

    1. I have used baby Lebanese Cucumbers in this recipe. Baby/pickling cucumbers are best to use for the size and crispness. 
    2. Ensure you use cooking salt or coarse sea salt, as regular table salt may contain caking agents and is much stronger. 
    3. The Australian tablespoon is 20ml or 4 teaspoons. In most other countries the tablespoon is 15ml or 3 teaspoons. Please adjust your measurements accordingly.
    4. I have used apple cider vinegar in this recipe, however, you can also use distilled white vinegar.
    5. Non-reactive saucepans are those which are ceramic, stainless steel, glass or enamelled cookware. Copper, iron and aluminium pans are reactive. Acidic foods, such as lemons, may take on a metallic taste and discolour if cooked in such pans.
    6. Please note, the nutritional information is based on the entire jar, and you will not be consuming the pickling liquid. 

    Nutrition Estimate:

    Calories: 962kcal | Carbohydrates: 230g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 10493mg | Potassium: 974mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 212g | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Please rate and leave a comment!
    Nutritional Disclaimer:

    The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Margaret CAREY

      March 20, 2023 at 3:58 pm

      how long will these last in the fridge…

      can they be put through a canning process in hot water bath…

      Reply
      • Alexandra Cook

        March 20, 2023 at 4:07 pm

        Hi Margaret,
        Stored in the fridge, the pickles will last for about 3-4 months. They are best consumed within the first three months for the best texture and taste. The longer you keep the pickles, the softer they will become.
        This recipe is not one that been tested for canning as it’s more of a quick pickle – it would be worth sourcing a recipe for a pickle that had been tested for canning should you wish to try that.
        Let me know if you give these a try!
        Thanks, Alex

        Reply
    2. Leanne

      February 15, 2023 at 7:36 pm

      Just wanted to say – the pickling liquid is a great addition to gin or tequila drinks. Waste not want not!

      Reply
      • Alexandra Cook

        February 17, 2023 at 12:09 pm

        I have to give this a try, Leanne 🙂 Thanks for suggesting!

        Reply
      • Blake Matthews

        March 06, 2023 at 8:49 pm

        I had 1.5 times the amount of cucumber for this recipe, so adjusted the other ingredients accordingly. On reflection though I would leave the salt as listed above as my pickles turned out a little too salty.

        Reply
        • Alexandra Cook

          March 11, 2023 at 9:06 am

          Hi Blake, given some time, I feel the pickles will mellow, and I hope you enjoy them. 🙂
          Thanks, Alex

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    Hello!

    I’m Alex.

    I am a full-time blogger, passionate foodie and writer who loves to travel.

    Welcome to It’s Not Complicated Recipes!

    My blog reflects my approach to cooking. I like it to be simple, easily prepared and delicious. learn more about me here →

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