Learn How To Pickle
"Pickle Anything!"

The Basics of Pickling

Here Are The Basics of Pickling:

When making pickles, it is important to follow the recipe you are using closesly. This is not only to insure food safety, but the taste of the food as well. No matter what pickles you are making, there are a few simple rules you should follow to make sure that your pickles turn out to be a crispy, tangy, tasty treat!

• Use uniform produce.  Your pickles will process more evenly and pack better.
• Scrub your vegetables well, and be sure and remove all of the blossom end by slicing it off.  An enzyme in the blossom can cause spoilage or soggy pickles.
• Pack the cucumbers or vegetables snuggly in the jar to allow for full movement of the liquid. You want to fit as many cucumbers as possible, as they will normally shrink as they become pickled.
• Keep your jar rims clean and dry for a great seal. Do not screw the ring on too tightly, or the seal could becomd compromised.
• Process according to the instructions, and don’t forget to alter for higher altitudes.
• Label your jars, and store them in a cool dry place- and don’t forget to keep a jar out for eating!
• Remember to let fresh-pack pickles ‘ripen’ for a week or two, so their flavor fully develops before eating.

Here is a basic step by step procedure to pickling your pickles. Each recipe will vary however, so do not use this for your pickle recipes unless specified. This is just to give you an idea of the pickling procedure.

1) Pick the firmest cucumbers available for your pickling batch.
2) Decide on which recipe you will use.
3) Clean and rinse your cucumbers to prepare for pickling.
4) Mix ingredients of your brine, the most common of which will be vinegar, water, and salt.
5) Bring your brine to a boil.
6) Pack your cucumbers into canning jars with additional ingredients, as specified by the recipe.
7) Once brine has been brought to a boil, poor into the canning jars, over the top of the cucumbers.
8) Put in any additional pickle ingredients, as specified by the recipe.
9) Seal canning jars with desired method.
10) Place in cool dry place for several weeks to allow pickling to occur.
11) Enjoy your fresh homemade pickles!

Again, this is just a generic procedure and should not be followed exactly for any of your recipes unless this is exactly what the recipe calls for.

I hope this gives you a good idea about how to make your very own pickles. For a much more detailed guide with tons of great pickling recipes, tips, and tricks, you'll want to check out my Ultimate Guide to Pickling.