Old-fashioned bread and butter pickles are sweet, tangy, and perfectly crunchy cucumber pickles made with onions, vinegar, sugar, and classic pickling spices. These homemade pickles are a timeless favorite for sandwiches, burgers, barbecue plates, or snacking straight from the jar. Their balance of sweetness and tanginess makes them a delicious pantry staple.
Bread and Butter Pickles
⏱️ Prep Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Resting Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: About 2 hours 30 minutes
🍳 Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Saucepan
- Knife or mandoline slicer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mason jars with lids
🧾 Ingredients
- 6 cups sliced cucumbers
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 1½ cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Cucumbers: Pickling cucumbers work best for crisp texture
- Onions: Sweet onions add classic flavor
- Turmeric: Gives traditional golden color
- Mustard Seeds: Add subtle tangy spice
- Ice & Salt: Help keep pickles crunchy
👨🍳 Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine sliced cucumbers, onions, salt, and ice cubes.
- Let sit for 2 hours.
- Drain and rinse well under cold water.
- In a saucepan, combine vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric.
- Bring mixture to a gentle boil.
- Add cucumber and onion mixture to the pot.
- Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly softened.
- Transfer pickles and brine into clean jars.
- Cool completely, then refrigerate.
- For best flavor, chill at least 24 hours before serving.
🧪 Nutrition Facts (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 40–70 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 10–16g
- Fat: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Sugar: 8–14g
- Sodium: Moderate to high
💡 Tips
- Use fresh, firm cucumbers for maximum crunch
- Slice evenly for consistent texture
- Refrigerate overnight for better flavor
- Sterilize jars if storing longer term
🔄 Variations
- Spicy Bread & Butter Pickles 🌶️
- Garlic Pickles 🧄
- Low-Sugar Pickles 🍯
- Dill Bread & Butter Pickles 🌿
- Mixed Vegetable Pickles 🥕