12 Best Recipes for Pickling Sweet and Crispy Cucumbers for the Winter

Keeping vegetables fresh is quite difficult, but there is a great opportunity to prepare delicious salads or simply pickle them. Pickling cucumbers for the winter are one of the most delicious Storage methods ensure they stay sweet and crisp. There are a variety of recipes, from classic to more unusual. Before pickling, prepare the vegetables and the container—this will ensure the long-lasting shelf life of this delicious snack.

The specifics of preparing sweet pickled cucumbers

Pickling vegetables has been practiced for centuries. It's a wonderful way to delight family and guests with original and delicious appetizers.

To keep vegetables crisp and juicy, there are a few simple secrets:

• First, you need to soak the fruits in water for 2-3 hours;
• For crunch, use horseradish leaves, grape leaves, currant leaves, and mustard powder together with the standard set of products;
• it is necessary to maintain the recommended heat treatment time;
• The marinade can be prepared to taste, combining the amounts of sugar, salt and spices.

Selecting and preparing vegetables

The best cucumbers for pickling are those grown in the ground. Greenhouse vegetables vary slightly in quality, which affects the shelf life of the pickles. Pickled cucumbers with prickly pimples are firm and crisp, so most home cooks choose them.

You can use small fruits, but large ones will not spoil the taste either.

Before pickling, rinse the vegetables thoroughly with warm water to remove any external impurities. If necessary, soak them in water for 3 hours.

Rules for sterilization of containers

Preparing salted or pickled vegetables requires proper container preparation. This will ensure a high-quality product and avoid any unpleasant surprises.

You can sterilize glass jars in a double boiler or use an oven or microwave.

The key to this process is timing. It takes at least 5-10 minutes.

The most delicious and proven recipes

There are countless ways to pickle cucumbers. The ingredients used vary, as do the methods used—with or without vinegar. The selection is vast, so you can find the most delicious one for yourself.

Classic cooking method

This is one of the popular pickling options, chosen by most home cooks. It uses a standard set of ingredients, yet the flavor is rich and pleasant.

Ingredients:

• sugar – 45g;
• fruits – 1 kg;
• vinegar – 200 ml;
• laurel sheet – 3 pcs.;
• salt – 30 g;
• garlic – 4 cloves;
• salt – 30 g;
• water – 1000 ml;
• dill and parsley – 150 g each.

Procedure:

1. Place herbs, spices, cucumbers, pour in boiling water.
2. Fill a saucepan with water and place on the burner. Combine with sugar and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
3. Drain the boiling water from the jars. Pour in the marinade and vinegar.
4. Roll up, place the lid on, and cover with a warm blanket. Leave for 2-3 days.

Sweet and sour cucumbers

Fruits prepared using this method have a pleasant, slightly tart flavor with a hint of sweetness. To ensure crispness, it's best to preserve the vegetables in jars with slightly cooled brine (up to 90 degrees Celsius).

Set of products:

• fruits – 2 kg;
• salt, sugar – 50 g each;
• vinegar – 100 g;
• garlic – 5 cloves;
• water – 1000 ml;
• herbs with spices - 100-150 g each.

Cooking technology:

1. Fill pre-prepared containers with cucumbers, herbs, and spices. Pour in boiling water and let steep for 20 minutes.
2. Drain the water into a saucepan and fill with new water for 20 minutes.
3. Combine the drained liquid with salt, sugar, and vinegar. Mix thoroughly and pour over the vegetables.
4. Roll up and cover in a warm place for 2-3 days.

Sweet and salty vegetables

Cucumbers prepared this way have a piquant sweetness. The appetizer has a rich, sweet flavor with a pleasant bitterness. Preparation time is quick.

Necessary products:

• cucumbers – 2 kg;
• salt – 45 g;
• vinegar 70% - 30 ml;
• water – 1000 ml;
• sugar – 150 g;
• garlic – 7 cloves;
• herbs and spices - to taste.

Procedure:

1. Fill the prepared containers with ingredients.
2. Pour boiling water over it for 20 minutes.
3. Pour the water into a saucepan, add salt and sugar. Boil for 5-7 minutes. Pour in the vinegar and stir.
4. Pour the prepared marinade over the food.
5. Close and leave for 2 days.

Recipe with vinegar

Pickling the fruit requires 9% vinegar, which gives the cucumbers a special piquancy and characteristic crunch. In winter, pickled fruit will be a true highlight of the holiday table.

Ingredients:

• water – 1500 ml;
• carrots – 1 pc.;
• fruits – 2 kg;
• onion – 1 pc.;
• garlic – 3 cloves;
• salt – 45 g;
• sugar – 125 g;
• vinegar 9% – 100 ml;
• herbs and spices - as needed.

Process:

1. Fill the jars with herbs, spices and cucumbers.
2. Add salt and sugar, pour in vinegar and boiling water.
3. Cover with a lid and place in a large container to sterilize for 20 minutes.
4. Roll up and keep warm for 2 days.

In brine with citric acid

Cucumbers can be salted with a little lemon, which makes them especially delicious. The lack of vinegar makes the appetizer mild and slightly tart. This makes it suitable for those with stomach ailments.

Required products:

• fruits – 2 kg;
• salt – 56 g;
• carrots – 1 pc.;
• citric acid – 18 g;
• water – 1500 ml;
• garlic – 4 cloves;
• bell pepper – 1 pc.;
• hot pepper – 1 pod;
• sugar – 130 g;
• herbs and spices - to taste.

Preparation:

1. Fill the jars with cucumbers, herbs and spices.
2. Pour boiling water over it for 20 minutes.
3. Drain and repeat the procedure again.
4. Add salt and sugar to the drained liquid and place on the burner. Boil for 5-7 minutes.
5. Pour marinade into jars and add lemon juice.
6. Close and leave in a warm place for 2 days.

Sweet assortment with cucumbers and tomatoes for the winter

This is a wonderful way to prepare a flavorful dish with a slightly sweet taste. The combination of ingredients makes this appetizer especially enjoyable and a welcome addition to any table.

Required products:

• water – 1.5 l;
• onion - heads;
• tomatoes – 1 kg;
• cucumbers – 1 kg;
• garlic – 4 cloves;
• salt – 25g;
• sugar – 100 g;
• vinegar 9% – 30 ml;
• herbs and spices - as needed.

Procedure:

1. Place vegetables and herbs with spices in jars.
2. Add salt and sugar, pour in boiling water. After 15 minutes, drain into a saucepan and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
3. Pour in marinade and vinegar.
4. Cover with a lid, turn over, and keep warm. Leave for 2-3 days.

We prepare sweet cucumbers in oil for the winter

Pickling green cucumbers with vegetable oil is quite easy, making the snack delicious and rich. The cucumbers are crisp and sweet, making them a perfect accompaniment to any meat dish.

Set of products:

• fruits – 4 kg;
• vinegar 6% – 250 ml;
• vegetable oil – 250 ml;
• sugar – 250 g;
• garlic – 1 pc.;
• salt – 100 g;
• black pepper (ground) – 36 g.

Preparation for winter:

1. Cut the vegetables into rounds and fill the jars with the remaining ingredients. Fill with boiling water. Let sit for 3 hours.
2. Place in a large pot of boiling water and sterilize for 10-15 minutes.
3. Roll up, turn over and place in a warm place for 2 days.

Sweet Winter Cucumber Salad

This prepared assortment makes a delicious accompaniment to side dishes and meats. It's easy to prepare, and pickling vegetables requires no special skills.

Ingredients:

• cucumbers – 4 kg;
• vinegar – 125 ml;
• bell pepper – 700 g;
• bay leaf – 5 pcs.;
• sugar – 250 g;
• garlic – 1 pc.;
• salt – 80 g;
• vegetable oil – 125 ml;
• onions – 1 kg;
• sweet paprika – 18 g.

Preparation:

1. Cut the vegetables into rings.
2. Combine all ingredients in a deep bowl. Mix thoroughly. Let sit for 2 hours.
3. Fill the jars, cover and place in a large saucepan of boiling water.
4. Sterilize for 20 minutes.
5. Close and place under a warm blanket for 2 days.

Recipe without vinegar

This is a great winter pickling option for cucumbers, suitable for those with digestive issues. The omission of vinegar doesn't detract from the flavor, but rather adds a unique aroma.

Ingredients:

• cucumbers – 1.5 kg;
• sugar – 18 g;
• pepper - 8 mountains;
• salt – 60 g;
• dill – 3 umbrellas.

Harvesting technology:

1. Fill the jars with all the products.
2. Fill with water and leave for 2-3 days. You can add water periodically.
3. After 3 days, roll up and place in a cool place.

With sweet pepper

Preserving cucumbers with pepper adds a particularly piquant flavor to this appetizer. The crunchy taste is combined with a spicy aroma and a harmonious taste.

Set of products:

• cucumbers – 2 kg;
• vinegar 70% – 15 ml;
• salt – 30 g;
• bay leaf – 3 pcs.;
• water – 1000 ml;
• garlic – 3 cloves;
• bell pepper – 2 pcs.;
• black pepper - 4 mountains;
• dill – 4 umbrellas;
• sugar – 45 g.

Preparation procedure:

1. Chop the pepper into slices.
2. Fill the jars with food.
3. Fill with boiling water. Drain after 30 minutes and repeat.
4. Add salt and sugar to the drained liquid and place it in a saucepan. Heat and cook for 5-7 minutes.
5. Pour marinade and vinegar over the vegetables.
6. Roll up and place in a warm place for 2 days.

Sliced, with grapes

This is one of the most unusual ways to pickle cucumbers, and it has a delicious flavor. The grapes impart a piquant acidity that pairs beautifully with other ingredients.

Ingredients:

• salt – 25 g;
• horseradish leaf – 1 pc.;
• water – 1 l;
• hot pepper – 1 pc.;
• dill – 3 umbrellas;
• cucumbers – 2 kg;
• grapes (sour variety) – 100 g;
• pepper - 7 mountains;
• bay leaf – 3 pcs.;
• sugar – 60 g.

Process:

1. The seeds must be removed from the grapes.
2. Cut the horseradish leaves and garlic into wedges.
3. Place vegetables, herbs and spices in jars.
4. Fill with boiling water, drain after 3 hours.
5. Combine the drained liquid with salt and sugar in a saucepan. Boil for 5-7 minutes.
6. Pour the marinade into the jars.
7. Roll up and place in a warm place for 3 days.

With herbs and horseradish

This is a way to prepare crisp, flavorful vegetables. Horseradish adds a pleasant bitter note and a unique flavor to the appetizer. It can be served with hot meat or used as a separate dish.

Set of products:

• cucumbers – 600 g;
• water – 500 ml;
• garlic – 2 cloves;
• horseradish leaves and root – 10 g;
• black and allspice pepper - 5 peas each;
• dill – 10 g;
• salt – 1 tbsp;
• sugar – 1 tbsp;
• vinegar 9% – 30 ml.

Harvesting technology:

1. Fill the jars with all the ingredients.
2. Pour boiling water over and leave for 15 minutes.
3. Drain into a separate container, add salt and sugar. Boil for 5-7 minutes.
4. Pour the marinade into the jars and add vinegar.
5. Roll up the lid, turn it over and place in a warm place for 3 days.

Duration and storage conditions

After pickling, store the jars in a cool, dark place. A pantry, cellar, sofa drawer, kitchen cabinet, glassed-in balcony, or refrigerator can be used. Vegetables can be stored this way for 1-2 years.

Opened jars must be placed in the refrigerator.

The appetizer can be stored for up to 3-4 weeks. When not refrigerated, keep the open container of cucumbers in a location where the temperature remains between 16-18 degrees Celsius.

There are countless ways to preserve cucumbers. You can choose any that suits your taste and preferences. This is a wonderful way to preserve vegetables and delight your loved ones with delicious snacks.