Bread and Butter Pickle Recipe with Brown Sugar You’ll Make Again
If you’ve ever bitten into a pickle that’s sweet, tangy, and crunchy all at once, you were probably eating a bread and butter pickle. This bread and butter pickle recipe with brown sugar takes that classic taste and makes it even richer, thanks to the deep caramel notes brown sugar adds.
You don’t need any canning experience to get this right. Whether you want a quick fridge pickle or a jar you can store for weeks, this guide walks you through everything, step by step.
Why Use Brown Sugar Instead of White Sugar?
Most classic bread and butter pickle recipes call for plain white sugar. Brown sugar changes the game a little.
- It adds a subtle molasses flavor that pairs beautifully with mustard seeds and turmeric.
- It gives the brine a deeper, almost amber color.
- It balances the vinegar’s sharpness with a rounder, warmer sweetness.
If you’ve made bread and butter pickles before with white sugar, this brown sugar version will feel familiar but noticeably richer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into a classic batch. This makes about 2 pint-sized jars.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Pickling cucumbers, sliced thin | 4-5 medium |
| Yellow onion, sliced thin | 1 large |
| Kosher salt | 2 tbsp |
| Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar | 1 cup |
| Water | 1/2 cup |
| Brown sugar (light or dark) | 3/4 cup |
| Mustard seeds | 1 tbsp |
| Celery seeds | 1 tsp |
| Turmeric powder | 1/2 tsp |
| Garlic cloves, smashed | 2 |
Step-by-Step Bread and Butter Pickle Recipe with Brown Sugar
Step 1: Salt the Cucumbers and Onions
To make pickles you need to start with sliced cucumbers and onions. Put the sliced cucumbers and onions in a bowl. Now add some salt on top of the sliced cucumbers and onions. Mix everything together so the kosher salt is, over the sliced cucumbers and onions.
Let the sliced cucumbers and onions sit for a while like 1 or 2 hours at room temperature. You can put the sliced cucumbers and onions in the fridge and let them sit overnight. This helps get rid of water in the sliced cucumbers and onions. It keeps the pickles crunchy and not soft.
Step 2: Rinse and Drain
After resting, rinse the cucumbers and onions under cold water to remove excess salt. Drain thoroughly and pat dry with a clean towel.
Step 3: Make the Brine
In a saucepan, combine vinegar, water, brown sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, and garlic. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves.
Step 4: Combine and Pack
Add the drained cucumbers and onions directly into the hot brine, or pack them into clean jars first and pour the hot brine over them. Make sure the vegetables are fully submerged.
Step 5: Cool and Store
Let the jars cool to room temperature, then seal and refrigerate. For the best flavor, wait at least 24 hours before eating, though 2-3 days gives even better results.
How Long Do Bread and Butter Pickles Last?
This is one of the most common questions people have, so here’s a simple breakdown:
- Refrigerator (unsealed, fridge pickles): 2-3 months when stored properly in an airtight jar.
- Water-bath canned jars: Up to 1 year in a cool, dark pantry, unopened.
- Once opened: Always refrigerate and use within a few weeks.
If you want to give someone shelf- jars or store them in your pantry you need to do the water-bath canning process correctly. You should check the Source for the canning times and safety rules because these things can be different depending on how high you are, above sea level and the size of your jars. You have to check Source for this information.
Tips for the Best Bread and Butter Pickles
- Slice cucumbers evenly (about 1/8 inch thick) so they pickle at the same rate.
- Don’t skip the salting step. It’s the secret to that signature crunch.
- Use fresh, firm cucumbers. Pickling cucumbers (like Kirby) work better than regular slicing cucumbers.
- Let the jars rest for a couple of days before opening. Flavor deepens with time.
Variations to Try
Spicy Bread and Butter Pickles
Add a sliced jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the brine for a bit of heat alongside the sweetness.
Extra Tangy Version
Increase the vinegar slightly and reduce the brown sugar by a tablespoon or two if you prefer a sharper bite.
Bread and Butter Pickle Relish
Chop the finished pickles finely and use them as a relish on burgers, hot dogs, or sandwiches.
Conclusion
This bread and butter pickle recipe with sugar is really easy to make on a weeknight. You can make a batch in no time. The bread and butter pickle recipe with sugar is also very tasty. It is so good that you will want to make it all the time. The brown sugar in the bread and butter pickle recipe gives it a warm taste that you do not get with plain white sugar. Making the bread and butter pickle recipe, with sugar is quick. It only takes 30 minutes of work.
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