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+ servings
Homemade Claussen Knock-off Pickles are dead crunchy, garlicky, salty, and the perfect accompaniment to any sandwich on earth. Plus they're easy enough for beginner food preservationists!

Homemade Claussen Knock-Off Pickles

Rebecca Lindamood
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 days 20 minutes
Always crunchy and garlicky, this perfect homemade pickle requires no special equipment, no canning experience, and tastes just like Claussen's refrigerated kosher dill pickles.

Equipment

  • 1 gallon jar or 4 quart jars or a large, food-safe container with a tight fitting lid
  • 1 liquid measuring cup
  • 1 large mixing bowl or pitcher

Ingredients
  

  • 35 to 40 small to medium pickling cucumbers
  • 1 gallon cold water
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar, preferably raw or white distilled vinegar
  • 2/3 cup coarse canning or kosher salt Do NOT fine or use iodized salt!
  • 4 cloves garlic or more to taste
  • 4 heads fresh dill or 4 tablespoons dried dill seed not weed!
  • 2 tablespoons mixed pickling spices

Instructions
 

  • Wash cucumbers but do not scrub them.
  • Trim 1/8-inch from the blossom end of each cucumber and slice in half lengthwise or into quarters, depending on how large your cucumbers are and how big you want them to be when they're done.
  • In a gallon jar (or large, wide-mouth, food-safe container) layer the dill heads or seed, garlic cloves, pickling spices and sliced cucumbers.
  • In a separate pitcher or bowl, stir together the remaining ingredients until the salt is dissolved.
  • Pour the brine over the cucumbers, taking care to make sure all of them are fully submerged. If needed, place a plate or mug or other non-reactive heavy item on the cucumbers to weigh them down and keep them under the brine!
  • Cover lightly with a lid just perched on top or secure a piece of cheesecloth over the jar with a rubber band to keep fruit flies away.
  • Leave out of direct sunlight on the counter for two to four days*, or until the cucumbers taste like pickles throughout.
  • Fix your lid onto your jar or container and chill. These can be stored in the refrigerator for up to six months provided you keep them covered with brine.
  • *If at any point in the proceedings "fuzz" or "foam" develops on top of the brine, use a spoon to remove it. If there is "fuzz" attached to any of the cucumbers, remove the ones affected and be sure the others are still fully submerged.

Notes

*If at any point in the proceedings "fuzz" or "foam" develops on top of the brine, use a spoon to remove it. If there is "fuzz" attached to any of the cucumbers, remove the ones affected and be sure the others are still fully submerged.
Please remember to check your pickles every day to test for doneness!

Nutrition

Calories: 34kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 1539mgPotassium: 367mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 198IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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