I have always been a Claussen Kosher Dill Pickle fan. Forever. I don’t like sweet pickles or bread and butter pickles, they just aren’t my thing. Claussen just tastes better, in my opinion, I don’t even like the shelf brand dill pickles. They are either too sweet or too tangy. That’s why I posted this Claussen pickle recipe several years ago.
Refrigerator pickles are a lot easier to make because they don’t require using the traditional canning process. That also means they can’t be stored on a shelf in the basement or in the pantry, they must live in the refrigerator.
Recipe for Claussen Pickles at Home
Last year I made some pickles with the canning method and the recipe that I used had a very high vinegar to water ratio. So they were far too vinegary for me to eat straight from the jar, which is one of my favorite things, though they were great on burgers and in potato salad!
So I started my search for a Claussen copycat. I found this one but it used apple cider vinegar. I as concerned that would create a sweet pickle, which I don’t like, even though the author of that recipe is just like me. Yuk to sweet pickles!
So I looked at the actual Claussen ingredient label and it said they used distilled white vinegar. Some of the ingredients were different too, so I decided to use the recipe that I found as a jumping off point and created my own version.
The verdict? Everyone in this house loves them! They aren’t exactly like Claussen, but pretty dang close! Close enough that they get devoured by everyone in this house.
They are actually fun for me to make. So while it would certainly be easier for me to grab a jar of Claussen from the grocery store, and I probably still will now and then, I love making my own.
My first batch was a bit cloudy, and they also had a distinctive mustard flavor. So I cut back the mustard seed in the second batch and I believe we now have a winner. :)
You’ll make the brine first, it’s easiest to do it in a 2-quart pitcher. You’ll see me mixing the brine in a bowl in the picture above. Don’t, it’s an extra step, just use a pitcher. Put the dill seed and dried garlic in the jars.
Now, make sure you give your pickling cucumbers a good rinse, make sure there’s no dirt. Trim the blossom end, I trim both ends, then cut in half lengthwise and distribute in your jars.
Before adding your brine, strain out the solids. Distribute the solids evenly among the two jars, then add brine. You will have leftover brine that can be discarded when you are all done.
When you perch the kid on your jars, you want air to be able to get in and gases to be able to escape.
I actually put my pickles in one big pot now and then move them to a large covered glass container in the fridge instead of using jars now. Someone in the comments asked for a picture of perching the lid, you can see that above.
This is what they will look like after a day or so. They usually take 2-4 days. My first batch took the full four days while my second batch was ready in two and a half days. I think the difference was that I actually used three jars and they weren’t packed as tightly.
Enjoy – crunch!
Troubleshooting your pickles
Scum or film on top – During your first few days, fermentation takes place. You will probably see bubbles rising to the surface and may see some “scum” forming on the surface. Skim this off and discard. This is a completely normal step in the fermentation process.
White sediment at the bottom of the jar – According to Colorado State University, “A white sediment at the bottom of the jar may be caused by anti-caking agents in the salt or by the fermenting bacteria. Neither cause is harmful.”
According to Colorado State University “…factors that lead to spoilage include failure to remove blossom ends, failure to thoroughly wash products to be pickled, not removing the scum that accumulates on curing brines, using a weak brine or vinegar solution, not keeping the pickles covered with brine throughout the curing process, using deteriorated ingredients such as moldy garlic or decayed spices, or storing the pickles at too warm a temperature.”
You can download the complete PDF document from The Colorado State University here.
Important Tips to Note
The Blossom End
The blossom end of the cucumber (the end opposite from the stem) contains an enzyme that can make your pickles turn mushy. Always cut it off, I cut off both ends for good measure and to keep them uniform.
Vinegar
Use vinegar that has at least 5% acidity. Don’t reduce the vinegar in this recipe.
Salt
Only use pickling salt or coarse (NOT flaky) Kosher salt, though I always use pickling salt. Table salt contains an anti-caking agent that causes the brine to get cloudy. If you use table salt, it’s still safe, but you will have a cloudy jar of pickles with white sediment at the bottom.
Cucumber Types
Use cucumbers that are of the knobby variety, grown specifically for pickling. Check seed catalogs to find the different varieties. Cucumbers with a wax coating are not recommended as the brine will not be able to penetrate them. When selecting cucumbers, be sure that they are firm and not soft.
Wash Your Hands!
It’s tempting to reach in and turn your cucumbers, but please make sure you wash your hands first. Introducing any foreign oil or material from your skin could cause problems with your brine.
When your pickles are all gone, do you pour the pickle juice down the drain? Instead, try these ideas for reusing pickle juice! Looking for a unique recipe to try with your freshly make pickles? Here’s a Grilled Tomato Relish that’s great on burgers and dogs!
This Claussen pickle recipe was originally published here on September 18, 2012
More Related Recipes
- Cucumber Salad
- Sweet Corn and Chickpea Salad
- Grilled Corn and Zucchini Salad
- Pickled Beets
- Pickled Onions
Homemade Claussen Pickles Copycat
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 20-25 small to medium pickling cucumbers
- 2 quarts cold water
- ½ cup white vinegar
- ⅓ cup canning/pickling salt or coarse Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coriander seed
- ½ teaspoon mustard seed
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon dill seed
- ¼ teaspoon dried garlic
- Fine mesh colander
- 4- cup measuring cup
Instructions
- To make the brine, combine water and vinegar in a large pitcher. Add salt, coriander seed, mustard seed, red pepper flakes and black peppercorns. Stir until salt is dissolved. Set aside.
- Wash cucumbers in water and trim 1/8-inch off of the blossom end of each one. Slice each cucumber in half lengthwise.
- Divide the dill seed and dried garlic evenly between two clean quart sized jars. Fill jars with cucumber halves, fitting as many in as you can, they may be snug!
- Stir brine again to mix ingredients. Place a fine mesh colander over a large bowl or measuring cup. Pour brine through the colander, catching the brine solids in the colander. DO NOT discard!
- NOTE: You will not be able to fit all the water in this measuring cup or in the two jars. The goal here is to save the brine solids and use them, you will be discarding the left over vinegar and water mixture when finished.
- Once all the solids have been removed from the brine, distribute them evenly among the jars. Using the brine liquid in the measuring cup, pour into the jars until all the cucumbers are covered.
- Your brine level should cover your cucumbers and reach the bottom of the jar neck where the twisting begins. The cucumbers will also release some liquid as they brine, so don’t overfill the jar. Discard any remaining brine liquid.
- Cover lightly with a lid perched on top but DO NOT close and seal. Leave on the counter (out of direct sunlight) for 1 day, then move to the refrigerator for 2-3 more days, or until the cucumbers taste like pickles throughout.
- Secure lids on jars and refrigerate for up to six months.
Nutrition
Amanda Davis
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Michelle says
We made these on Sunday afternoon. I did add more vinegar than the recipe called for based on some of the comments and more garlic just because we love garlic.
Put them in fridge the next afternoon but my daughter did close the lids. Opened one today (tuesday) after work just to smell and it smelled so good we had to try one. BEST pickles we have had since we can’t find claussen anymore. We plan to make more this weekend cause these will not last long in our house!
Greg says
Used this pickle recipe. After a month in the refrigerator, I opened a jar n they fizzed. Is this normal?
Kerry f says
I love this recipe, although I did a tiny bit of tweeking for my personal taste :)
I did not use the corriander as I do not care for it much and the garlic, pickles, red pepper flake and dill came from my garden which also makes the pickles as fresh as can be. When it came to letting the pickles sit on the counter I did so but for only 24 hours and then refrigerated them and in about 2 to 3 weeks we had the best tasting pickles for us!
Sandy says
Can anybody tell me how they stay Chris without using alum or pickle crisp
Sue hinkle says
Putting canned pickles in a water bath or pressure cooking them is what softens them. you start out with crisp cucumbers they’ll stay crisp as long as they’re not cooked. These pickles will need to be refrigerated. If you hot water bath or pressure cook them; you can add alum as a soak to assure Crispness 24 hours before processing (with a very thorough three times rinse)
Kerry f says
They are not cooke :)
Jim says
I really did not get much pickle flavor, maybe it is the vinegar ratio as others have suggested. I used garlic powder since I did not have dried garlic and that could have been part of the problem too. Either way, almost a week in and they taste like cucumbers and not pickles.
Sue says
I agree with the comment. Pickling ratios typically are one-to-one or one and a half to one. Ie one cup of water one cup of vinegar or
1 and 1/2 cup water and one cup vinegar.
Suzyq says
Loved the crunchy sour taste of first bite. Great with all veggies.Just dangerously high sodium so maybe one a month.
Also, have give as gifts at Thanksgiving and get jars back with other homemade food items.
Lots of fun…our families keep the tradition of food swaps going throughout winter holidays then lookout, bbq time and we’ll, if you are from Texas you know your meat rubs!
Jamie says
I made these a week ago and they barely have any pickle taste. I have double checked the recipe to make sure I didn’t misread something, but everything was done according to the instructions. And possible answers?
Skipper says
My batch of two years ago came out perfect. This year? Not so much. I want to know if the flavors would improve if the jarred pickles were left out longer than one day. Perhaps they would develop flavor with a longer “loose lid” period in a dark corner. Worth a try!
Rose says
If you only used two jars how did you 25 cucumbers in them?
Rose says
If you only used two jars then what did you do with rest of the cucumbers? I know you did stuff 25 cucumbers in two jars.
Stefanie Anderson says
Are we supposed to seal the jars at some point? Are they safe in the refrigerator for long periods of time without being sealed?
I’ve made a couple batches so far and everyone loves them! Most say they’re still cucumber like but with great flavor. How can I make them more pickle like?
Thank you!
Melissa says
After the day on the counter do you put the lids on the jar before you put them in the refrigerator or are the lids supposed to be perched in the refrigerator?
Amanda Formaro says
The lids should be perched on top for a total of three days before closing them.
Tony says
Can anyone clarify for me how this recipe works? It seems like we’re making fermented pickles here but only letting them sit uncovered (with lids perched) for a day at room temp seems way too short of a fermentation time to get sourness? See,s a lot of recipes have you leaving them out for a week or more?
MarkemRed says
That’s what I do. 8 to 12 days
Julie says
what if you don’t have dried garlic? Can you use fresh?
Tracy says
I’m also wondering if these measurements are off? Comparing this with other pickle recipes, the water to vinegar ratio is way off. The amount of vinegar in this one is only a fraction of what I’ve seen in others. So disappointed. I should have checked other recipes first 🙄
T0m says
these pickles are very bad. A waste of my time.
Tony says
Yeah I’m super confused… Followed the recipe to a T, went and wasted money on ingredients, it’s been almost a week and these things aren’t getting sour. They’re just salty and kind of lacking in flavor. I don’t know what else to do!
Russell says
If you search for ‘Copycat Claussen Pickles’, you’ll find that they’re all the same. So I’m guessing the first person had it wrong and everyone else simply copied their mistake. (but that is just a guess)
Mike says
You must not like this style of pickle or messed up
Mike says
Hahaha these are refrigerator pickles silly! Do you like claussens?
Dianne w says
Hello
I am currently making these. I have them in a large pot with a plate holding the cucumbers down in the brine and I have the lid cracked on top of the pot. How do you know if they are ready to go in the fridge after 24 hours? Do I just put them in the jars and put them in the refrigerator with loose lids for 3 days after the 24 hours is up?
Karen Kelleher says
I been making this. And I just put my pickles I. The jar ALONG WITH CARTOTS CELERY GREEN ONIONS AND CAULIFLOWER, and let them sit with lids on side lip, for a few hours, then put lid on and throw in the fridge! Mine are great!
Denise Paquette says
I forgot to leave them on the counter and put them right in refrigerator. I wonder what leaving them on the counter does?
Janie says
Would this work for other vegetables too? Peppers or green beans maybe?
Amanda Formaro says
I haven’t tried it, but I’m sure it would :)
Kim says
This is the third batch we have made and we couldn’t be happier! Thank you for this recipe.
Anne says
I have searched high and low for a pickle recipe that is worthy of my lovely garden cucumbers and rivals the refrigerator dills at the grocery store. This recipe meets all my expectations and is the BOMB!
Bev says
You mention two jars a couple times. Then I get the impression there are more than two jars. Can you clarify for me?
Amanda Formaro says
I only used 2 jars :)
Barbara says
Great recipe!