This pickled cucumber recipe is perfect and delicious! I prefer mine to sit in the brine overnight, but if you don’t have time, you can make them earlier in the day and they should be ready by dinnertime. If you like cucumbers, then you’ll love my Cucumber Dill Salad, Cucumber Hummus Bites, and my Cucumber Tea Sandwich recipes! Pickled cucumbers go great on top of salads and bowls and in sandwiches and wraps. If you’re a fan of pickled recipes, then you’ll love my Pickled Red Onions!
My husband is Hawaiian and has spent a lot of time with his family on the Big Island of Hawaii and says that these remind him of pickled mangoes, eaten fresh off the mango trees in Kona. Who doesn’t love hearing things that endearing about their recipes?! Not only that, but they’re so refreshing, light, and packed with antioxidants.
My healthy pickled cucumber recipe contains water, white vinegar, salt, sugar, cucumbers, and green onions, and takes less than 5 minutes to make, making it one quick and easy snack recipe!
Ingredients in Pickled Cucumbers
Water. Water is needed to make the pickle juice or brine.
White vinegar. Vinegar is also needed to make the brine and is an integral part of the pickling process. Food and Wine’s article mentions that the acidic quality of vinegar causes changes in flavor and texture while it acts as a preservative. Distilled white vinegar and white wine vinegar are the most popular because they won’t affect the color of most vegetables. Also, vinegar pickling involves no fermentation.
Salt. As part of the pickling process, salt adds more flavor.
Sugar. Sugar is needed to offset the sour and tangy taste of the brine.
Cucumbers. Cucumbers are the main ingredient in this pickled cucumber recipe.
Green onions. Green onions (or chives) are needed to help pickle the cucumbers.
Optional vegetables. Optional vegetables that you can add to your pickled cucumbers include carrots, onion, bell peppers, and so forth.
Health Benefits of Cucumbers
Cucumbers are packed with nutrients—particularly vitamin K—and are about 95 percent water, according to Web MD’s article. Your cells need water to adequately function. In serious circumstances, if you don’t drink enough water, you may end up in the hospital for treatment.
In addition, cucumbers protect your cells from damage due to free radicals that form in the body from just everyday modern living. Cucumbers contain antioxidants, including flavonoids, lignans, and triterpenes, which protect the body and reduce inflammation. Cucumbers have been shown to slow or stop heart-related disease.
Did you know that cucumber is actually a fruit? Healthline’s article discusses it and the fact that cucumbers are nutrient-rich, as they contain plant compounds and antioxidants that may help treat and prevent certain conditions. Cucumbers are high in water and soluble fiber, making them ideal for promoting hydration and weight loss.
The green fruit is low in calories but high in crucial vitamins and minerals. One serving of a cucumber—which is about one-third of a cucumber—will give you 62 percent of the recommended daily intake (RDI) for vitamin K, 14 percent of the RDI for Vitamin C, 12 percent of the RDI for manganese, and 10 percent of the RDI for magnesium.
Healthline’s post mentions that cucumbers contain antioxidants, which are molecules that block oxidation, a chemical reaction that forms reactive atoms with unpaired electrons known as free radicals. The accumulation of these harmful chemicals leads to chronic illnesses. Oxidative stress caused by free radicals has been linked to cancer, heart, lung, and autoimmune disease. In summary, cucumbers are packed with antioxidants, including flavonoids and tannins—both of which prevent the accumulation of harmful free radicals, thereby reducing the risk of developing chronic disease.
How to Make the Best Pickled Cucumbers
STEP 1: Mix the water, vinegar, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl. Add the sliced cucumbers and green onions and combine. Pour into a lidded Mason jar.
STEP 2: Ensure that the cucumbers are fully submerged under the brine; if there isn’t enough brine, add more.
STEP 3: Chill in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours, or overnight.
STEP 4: If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!
How long do pickled cucumbers last?
Once you’ve opened a jar of pickled cucumbers, homemade or store bought, they’ll last up to 2 years, according to The Kitchn’s post. To confirm they stay fresh, make sure the lid is secure each time you open and put the pickle jar back in the fridge.
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Final Thoughts
Finally, if you make these Pickled Cucumbers, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this recipe and always try my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your recipe photos!
Pickled Cucumbers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ c water
- ½ c white vinegar
- 3 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 cucumbers sliced
- 5 green onions chopped
- carrots, onion, bell peppers, etc. optional vegetables
Instructions
- Mix the water, vinegar, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl. Add the sliced cucumbers and green onions and combine. Pour into a lidded Mason jar.
- Ensure that the cucumbers are fully submerged under the brine; if there isn’t enough brine, add more.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours, or overnight.
- If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!
Notes
Nutrition (per serving)
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