Homemade Pickles

This instructable will teach you how to make homemade pickles using cucumbers, mason jars, brine, and any extra flavorings. The whole process requires about 6 steps.

1. Purchasing Supplies

2. Sterilizing Equipment

3. Making the brine

4. Preparing jars

5. Adding brine

6. Sealing

The first step requires that you have the necessary supplies and ingredients to prepare your pickles. For this instructable, I used:

4 Cucumbers

1.5 Cups Apple cider vinegar

1.3 Cups distilled white vinegar

3 Cups water

1/3 cup kosher salt

3 Flowering tops dill plants

4 peppers

2 Mason Jars

1 Large Pot

1 Medium Pot

Measuring Cups

1 Large spoon

1 Cutting knife

1 Cutting board

All of the food ingredients are available at your local grocery store.

In order to prevent contamination and ruining your final product, it is essential to sterilize your mason jars, knives, and pots.

1. Fill the medium pot about halfway full with water.

2. Add the mason jars, including the lids.

3. Place on high heat for about 3-5 minutes, or until boiling.

4. Keep the water on medium to high heat until step 6.

In order to make the brine, you must mix the main ingredients into a large pot and heat to a boil.

1. In a large pot, mix 1.5 cups Apple cider vinegar, 1.3 cups distilled white vinegar, 3 cups water, and 1/3 cup kosher salt.

2. Bring to a boil and stir over medium-high heat.

While the brine is coming to a boil, you can prepare your jars by chopping up your cucumbers and adding any additional ingredients. For this instructable, we made both spears and chips.

1. Remove mason jars from the boiler water.

2. Chop up the four cucumbers into either form using the cutting knife and cutting board.

3. Add the dill, whole peppers and cucumbers into the mason jars.

4. Add any additional ingredients for flavoring. For this instructable, we added peppercorn, cloves, mustard seeds, and a dash of garlic.

5. Pack the jars tight with cucumbers!.

Once your jars are packed with the cucumbers and additional ingredients, it is time to add the brine that has been boiling.

1. Be sure to keep the heat on high in order to keep the brine hot, this will create a suctioning effect once you cap the jars.

2. Fill the jars with the brine until about 1/2" of space is left between the brine and the top.

3. Remember to add the brine quickly in order to prevent any cooling.

Once the brine has been added, it is time to quickly seal the jars.

1. Remove the lids from the hot water in the medium pot.

2. Place the lids on top, and quickly seal.

3. Let the jars naturally cool off.

4. Make sure you feel for the suctioning of the lids (there should be no 'pop' to the lid).

Now that you have sealed off your jars, you are almost complete! Wait at least 3 - 4 days until opening the jars to enjoy your pickles. Keep them at room temperature until opening. Once opened, you can store in the fridge for up to 2 months, but do not place in the freezer!