- Garden cucumbers, scrubbed in very cold water (7-8 small/med cucumbers)
- 6 cups water ( preferably distilled or purified)
- 1/4 cup canning salt (important canning salt)
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 5 tablespoons slightly heaping fresh minced garlic
- 1/8 cup dehydrated minced onion. Store bought minced onion.
- 1 teaspoons mustard seed
- 15 spigs fresh dill
- 8-10 whole peppercorns
- (I added one pickled jalapeno slice to each jar)
Description
Refrigerator Dill Pickles (Like Claussen’s) Super Crisp!!
There’s no sugar in these. I’m not a fan of sweet pickles.
*Tip… I used small/med garden fresh cucumbers, they need be sliced into chunks or spears. I’ve tried them whole and they don’t turn out as good.
Directions
- In a large pan add water, salt, garlic, vinegar, onion, peppercorns and mustard seed... bring to a boil and let cool to room temp.
- Fill sink or large tub or bowl with ice cold water, the colder the better and splash of vinegar the vinegar will kill and bacteria on the cucumbers. Scrub your cucumbers and slice approximately 1/4-1/2 inch
- Fill jars or air tight containers with sliced cucumbers, ladle liquid over top making sure they get all the great goodness in the brine and completely covered..
- Put the fresh dill in and the optional jalapeno and store in frigerator.
- Ready in 5-7 days (we were eating them at day 2 there soo good)
- There so crisp and so addicting!!
This recipe is the closest, recipe I’ve found to Claussen’s pickles. I didn’t change a thing amazing!
Thank you for taking the time and leaving your feedback. I need to make another batch, we’ve gone through 6 pints lol.
I have been told to add a grape leaf to get the crunchy
Hello ~ Yes I’ve heard that also. I haven’t tried it… If you have it, it’s worth trying it… If only in a couple jars
Let me know if it works 
Do you add a fresh grape leave or a grape leaf in brine?
Hi Leitha ~ I didn’t
Finally found a recipe without sugar. These were great! I think I’ve eaten a jar myself.
I made these twice. The 1st batch were really crunchy. The next batch weren’t as much.** Key is that they are just picked** My 2nd batch my cucumbers had been in the refrigerator for a few days and they weren’t as crunchy. Loved the flavor
Thanks so much for the feedback! That is a great tip! The freshest the cucumber the crunchier
That explains why mine weren’t as crunchy! Liked that they were so easy make. Really close to Claussens! Will make sure I use fresh cucumbers next time.
Can I leave the pickles whole??? I prefer a whole pickle instead of sliced
Hi Karla ~ I made them both ways, Whole works great
I hope you love them as much as I did! Let me know how you like them? Happy Happy Holidays, Kelly
Thank u!! I’m making some today for my fiancé who loves pickles!! I’ll let u know!!!
I hope he loves them!
The garlic makes them so nummy! Have a great weekend! Kelly
Hi! Just found on Pinterest. My boyfriend loves pickles. Where is there garlic in the recipe?
Hi Shannon!! Yay I’m so happy you found it! I love Pinterest!! I put used 3 heaping tablespoons. You could even go four tablespoons
I hope this helps! Kelly
is Clausen’s a pun on words
I love seeing things back on again– hope things are going well!!
Thanks Diane! They are my favorite pickle
and these come real close. Love the name!! Hugs ~
These are fabulous! I’ll be making more soon. I leave them on the counter and snack on them all day!
How many jars does this recipe make???
Hi Brandy! I stored mine in Tupperware. I used the jar for the photo, I’m gonna say 8-10 pints… I hope that helps. Enjoy them!
do these seal so that you can store in pantry or do you have to keep cold.
Hi Peggy ~ They don’t, they need to be refrigerated. Thanks for your question… Happy Cooking ~ Kelly
Hi Kelly, I tried these today and they smelled amazing. I had to try one after a few hours because I couldn’t resist and so far… OH MY GOD with the yumminess! Just wanted to say thanks for posting, it’s hard to get dill pickles without any sweetness to them in Germany. Just a question, how long do they keep? Assuming you don’t eat the whole jar at once that is. I sent some home with my friend and she asked. Cheers
Shannon K.
Hi Shannon ~ Thank you sooo much for trying them and taking the time to leave your feedback all they from Germany!!! I am so happy you loved them as much as I did! They keep well up to 3 months. Thanks again Shannon! Enjoy your pickles!
What kind of vinegar did you use?
Hi Lynn ~ Thanks for your question. I used white vinegar. Hope you enjoy them
Kelly
Did you use fresh dill? If so, how much and is is chopped? Or did you use dried dill?
Happy Tuesday Penny! Thanks for your question, I used dried (feel free to through in a sprig or 2 of fresh dill)
Kelly
Hope you enjoy them
Does each jar get the vinegar and garlic and other I gredients or do you separate it out per jar?
Hi Carrie ~ Place cucumbers in large bowl with an air tight cover, along with the other ingredients. Once brine has cooled pour brine over top and refrigerate. I put them in jars a couple days later. You can leave them in the bowl if you wish. Hope this helps
Kelly
i just made these , i used a bunch of fresh dill,hope its not to much ? could you freeze these after a few days ?
Hello!! They’ll be super yummy with the extra dill
I just made a double batch last night too. Sorry you can’t freeze them… I wish you could. Enjoy your pickles! Kelly
This is an amazing recipe ! I also made pickled banana and yellow peppers with the recipe. They turned out amazing also ! Thanks for sharing .
Aww… Thanks so much Aimee!! Thanks for sharing the tip, using peppers i’m going to try it! Appreciate your feedback
Kelly
Wow awe!some recipe! I added 1/2 scorpion pepper for my chili head friends. They ate whole jar. So now I make a jar every few days for constant supply!
Thanks!
Jay… Thank You Thank You!! I’m so happy they were a hit with you and friends, it makes me smile! Than you for taking the time to leave your feedback. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Kelly
Oh yes taking to sisters for Thanksgiving relish dish!!
I was so excited about these but they came out SO salty!!! Can I cut down on the amount of salt???
Hi Nichole! Did you use the canning salt? If using table salt, they would be super salty. You could surely cut back just a little.
These are the best pickles, and so easy to make. Thanks for the recipe. I use allot more dill and they are yummy. I have made a huge batch of spears, now I’m trying slices. I jar them right away and they are perfect everytime. Of course, they don’t last long, we eat them every day!!!
Just FYI to those of you who said the cucumbers had to be fresh in order to be crispier — I’ve been canning for 20+ years and you can “freshen up” most any veggie for pickling by soaking for 10-20 minutes in a big bowl of ice water and then draining. Kelly thanks for sharing this recipe — I am not at all a fan of sweet pickles, either.
Mycala! Thank you soo much for the great tip and taking the time to post it… You’re the best!
Kelly
Is that suppose to be a 1/4 cup vinegar or 1 1/4 cups? Just seeing other recipes, they use quite a bit more vinegar. Thanks!
Hi Debbie ~ It is quarter of cup of vinegar. Thanks for your question. Hope you enjoyem’ ~ Kelly
Kelly,
I appreciate the quick response regarding the amount of vinegar in the recipe. I made it exactly as written and they are delicious! I think they do taste like Claussen’s. Thank you for the recipe.
Debbie ~ You are so welcome! Thank you so very much for taking the time and trying my recipe and leaving your feedback! It makes me smile knowing you love them as much as me! Fab Foodie Hugs ~ Kelly
I can’t wait to taste these in a day or so.
I didn’t have mustard seed, so I used ground mustard, because all the local groceries were out.
Anyone else do this? Good results?
I love salty and spivey…so these should be a perfect match. In fact, I added extra jalapeños .
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Candie!
I haven’t tried with ground mustard. I’d love to know how it turns out. Ohhh extra jalapenos..Yum!! Happy pickle Eatin’
Kelly
Absolute perfection. I added some crushed red pepper and alum ( for crispness) and they were amazing in 3 days! Thank you for the awesome recipe!
Just to let you know, this is the BEST recipe for Claussen-style refrigerator half-sour dill pickles! In a blind taste test, I might not know the difference and they taste so crunchy and delicious!! Not too salty or sour but perfect! I used a giant pickle jar and doubled the brine, used white vinegar, not apple cider unless you want a totally different flavor. I used dill seeds since my dill isn’t ready yet, 2 kinds of mustard seeds, whole peppercorns, and dehydrated onions. I never even got around to adding minced garlic and they already rock my socks! This is a keeper!
Thank you soo much Shisha Alisha! You totally made my day… reading your review! You lovem’ as much as I do! Thanks for your tips
this last batch, I got all fancy and made crinkled chips. I just heard… That homemade pickles “refrigerator” not canned and without sugar, help with weight loss! Thanks again for taking the time to review this recipe!
Happy Crunching! Kelly
Hello, I was just wondering, is the minced garlic fresh or dried? I’d rather it be dried to make it easier. Also if I was to use dried dill how much do I use in place of the fresh dill? I don’t like it to dilly maybe a medium dill
Thanks and I can’t wait to try this 
Hello sorry for the delay~ It’s fresh minced garlic, you can try it with dried you might need to use a little more to get the garlicly flavor. If you use dried dill I would use for sure 1/2 teaspoon. They don’t get real strong dill flavor. Hope this helps and you are happy with them. I just made a double batch last Wed and my husband and I have ate three jars lol. Happy Pickle making! Kelly ~
Diane just wanted to mention… 1/2 teaspoon in each jar or 1 tablespoon in one air tight container
I’m so confused. Did this recipe change? I made a batch a week ago and came back to it to make another and it’s not the same. Which way is better?
Hi Jessica! Happy Friday! I just tweaked to make it more clear and hopefully easier. Adding most of the ingredients to the brine to make it easier. and added fresh minced garlic to make it more clear. Added the splash of vinegar while scrubbing, to increase the refrigerator time.
If you have any questions, please let me know
When do you add the 1/4 cup of white vinegar? All I see in the recipe is the splash of vinegar to wash the cucumbers.
Hi! Sorry about that, you add with the water mixture. I added it to the directions. Any other questions please feel free to ask
Happy pickle making! Kelly
Great recipe! My family loves them & started eating the pickles after 2 days. Will definitely make again!
Thanks so much for such a nice comment! I’m so happy your family loves them too. I’m heading to the farmer’s market in the morning to get more cukes to make pickles with my son on Sunday
Can these pickles be canned
Hi ~ I have never tried canning them.
I made these yesterday. I have taste testing several times. They are a little salty but they are so good. They are super crunchy. I can’t wait for them to get “done.” I am going to try making fried pickles when they are ready. I love fried pickles but I do baked instead of fried. Have you tried it with these?
Thanks Trudy! I’ve made them and if my 1/4 cup is a little over I noticed a difference. Maybe next time try just a tad less. Son and I made a double batch yesterday and we were already eating them tonight. It’s hard to leave them alone lol Enjoy Trudy! Kelly
I made 3 quarts and a pint of these and put them in canning jars and sealed with seal and ring and put them in the fridge immediately. I at the pint jar and they were good. Just opened a quart and it had fermented. The other two had as well. Anyone else have this happen or have an idea as to why?
I have two questions, I can’t get fresh dill where I live and mine isn’t ready yet so can I use dill seed and if so how much? Also how long will they keep?
Hi Carolyn ~ I have used dill weed and used about 1/2 teaspoon per jar. I have not used dill seed. I hope this helps. Enjoy ~
How much garlic did you use the recipient saw 5 Tablespoon but in the. Moments I saw 3… How many sprigs of dill I am going to make a gallon jar they sound delish
Hi Vicki ~ I like them best with 5 tablespoons:)
These are Delicious! Thank You for sharing the recipe!
Awhhh… Thanks so much Vicky!! You made my day
Do you use fresh diced onion, or dehydrated minced onion for your refrigerator dill pickles?
Hi Cheri! You you dried minced onion. Have a fabulous day!
Can you use fried dill? If so, how much?
Dried
Hi Kathy! 1/4… 1/2 teaspoon depending on taste
Tiny bubbles at the top on opening jar right out of fridge, they are gone in minutes, are my pickles safe to eat?
Hi Judy! I haven’t ever had that happen? I would do a small taste test to see? If the pickles were washed well, the vinegar will kill the bacteria on the cucumbers. And the liquid was boiled. They should be good. Let me know what the turn out was.
Do you just use the liquid or do you make sure you get some of the chunky stuff (seeds, onion, garlic, etc.) with the liquid into each of the bottles?
Hi Debi! Yes you want all the chunky goodness!! That’s what makes them so yummy! Hope you get this in time!
Thank you for this recipe! How much heat does the jalapeno add to the pickles? Do they get a lot of remnant heat from the process? Thanks for sharing!
Hi! If you like just a moderate heat, i’d add one slice of jalapeno… I’ve used the pickled jalapeno’s. for more heat I’d add two slices. Hope this helps
Enjoy!
Can these be cannned? How long will they last in refrigerator
Happy 4th of July weekend! I’ve never canned them… They last up to 2-3 months. Have a fabulous weekend! Enjoy! Kelly
I’m going to make these, I looked at the jar I bought trying to figure it out. I think the dried onions, mustard seeds and peppercorns are what I’m missing. Thanks
Hi Star! I can only see part of your question… Last part I see… I think the? Maybe try resending… I’ll watch for it. Sorry for the inconvenience.
wonderful recipe. can i keep adding new cukes to jar, or use the brine over again? adult daughter also loves these.
Hi Darcy! Thanks so much! I have never tried that… I think they might not keep as long and it might affect the crispness? Tell your daughter thank you from me too! Have a fabulous weekend! Kelly
So you just use the dill weed? Not dill head?
Hi Carrie! You can use either. I’ve used both. Dill weed is easier
Also. Have you ever tried fresh onion?
Can you use fresh onion?
Hi Carrie! Happy Weekend! I haven’t used fresh onions… You could try it. I don’t think refrigerator life will be as long. I’d try with a small batch. Have a fabulous weekend!
Hi Kelly, I always thought the water / vinegar (5%) ratio was 50/50 for safety. Also, do you pour the brine into the packed jars while still boiling hot?
Thanks
And, can you use apple cider as opposed to white?
Hi! The ratio is correct. I wouldn’t use apple cider vinegar if your trying to get the taste of the Claussen pickle. If you try it, let me know how they turned out. Have a fabulous day! Kelly
Hi… Sorry, yes pour over pickles while still boiling hot.
Can I use minced garlic from a jar or do I need to buy a couple garlic bulbs and try and mince it myself?
Hi!! Yes definitely… You can use minced garlic! Makes it way easier! Have a fabulous weekend!
Thank you thank you for this! I live in Texas. It’s too hot to grow Dill here, so I followed some directions from here: https://www.healthycanning.com/dill-substitute-for-pickling/ and used dill seed, 4 tsps for the amount your recipe suggests. I’m allergic to garlic which accounts for why I love dill pickles but not kosher dills, so I left the garlic out. And if you live in a hot climate, you don’t WANT sweet. It’s cloying. You want sour. Your recipe was excellent. I checked BOTH of my canning books (Ball and Kerr); they are loaded with sweet pickle recipes.
Oh Virginia… Thanks so much!! I’m so happy you liked them! I’m with you I don’t like sweet pickles
Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Can’t wait to try these!! Making them right now. Will let you know. So easy.. Love it.
Thanks so much for the shout out!!