Sweet and tangy balsamic vinegar makes the perfect base for quick refrigerator pickles. This unique take on a classic quick pickle is based on my grandmother's recipe, adapted to my own tastebuds and love of balsamic vinegar. Balsamic pickles can be put together in only 5 minutes and then ready when dinner is to be used on chicken, salmon, toast, and so much more.
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My grandmother had 14 children, yes you read that right. And I have many fond memories of her recipes; from dessert bars to tuna casserole to quick pickles. While testing dessert or dinner recipes, I can hear her working away in the kitchen making something like sloppy joes.
The quick pickles are one of those recipes that I learned to make by watching her because they were super simple and the grandkids could help. As I got older, I started adapting her recipes and decided to try the pickles with balsamic vinegar.
I love balsamic glaze and vinegar so one of my favorite ways to enjoy balsamic pickles is on panko-crusted chicken or salmon.
recipe quick notes
The best part according to Mika: I love how fast and versatile this recipe is. Whip them up in 5 minutes and enjoy them throughout the week!
Ingredients: Cucumbers, balsamic glaze, white vinegar, salt, garlic, and water are all you need.
Time: This recipe takes 5 minutes to put together, then just let them soak in the fridge while you make the rest of dinner.
Best for: These quick pickles are best on salmon bowls, chicken, and sandwiches.
Testing Notes: I’ve made these countless times and they work best with balsamic glaze. Do not use just balsamic vinegar as it will be too powerful of a flavor and lack sweetness.
recipe ingredients & substitutions
- Cucumbers: I like to use mini or snacking cucumbers because they are more bite-sized but any variety of cucumber can be used.
- Balsamic glaze: You can use balsamic vinegar but you will need to use half balsamic and half white vinegar. Then add 2 tablespoon of white sugar or honey to make up for the sweetness that balsamic glaze has in it.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
how to make refrigerator pickles (with photos & video!)
Step one: slice and pack the cucumbers in a jar
Step two: mix the vinegar mixture together in a separate small bowl
Step three: pour this into the jar, cover, and store in the fridge
video of how to make this recipe
helpful tips
- Use a mandolin if you have one to thinly slice the cucumbers. It makes the recipe so much faster and keeps the slices consistent.
- Add the cucumber slices first to the jar to make sure they will fit. They can fill up most of the jar so don’t worry if they are packed tightly.
- Mix in a separate bowl before pouring the balsamic vinegar into the jar. This allows you to fully mix the spices so they are evenly distributed.
do I need to heat the water?
No, traditional pickling requires heating the water and sterilizing jars. These are considered quick pickles so we are not trying to preserve them for months, we are only trying to impart flavor. These pickles don't need hot water but they will only stay good for 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
common questions:
Is balsamic vinegar good for pickling?
Balsamic vinegar is good for quick pickling and to be used with white vinegar. It cannot be used to pickle on its own for safety reasons.
Quick pickles do not use the process of heating and sterilizing to pickle because they are intended to be kept in the fridge for a few weeks, not the pantry for months. Another name for them is refrigerator pickles.
Yes, but you will need to add 2 tablespoons of sugar or honey to make up for the lack of sweetness if not using balsamic glaze.
variations
Plain quick pickles
These can be made by just omitting the balsamic glaze.
Balsamic pickled onions
To make these, just use thinly sliced red onions in place of cucumbers.
Spicy pickles
Try adding spicy peppers like Calabrian chilies for a kick.
troubleshooting & testing notes
- Using full-size cucumbers worked ok but they didn’t fit in the jar as well and weren’t bite-size. This was more of an annoyance when I wanted to snack on them straight from the fridge.
- Mixing the spices and vinegar separately really helped to not have to struggle trying to mix it with the cucumbers in the jar.
how to store and meal prep
You can make these and store them for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. I like to store them in sealed glass jars for easy access throughout the week for various recipes or snacking.
how to serve pickles
- On sloppy joes for a nice crunch in contrast to the saucy goodness.
- With panko-crusted chicken in a Mediterranean-inspired bowl. Try it with melted mozzarella, diced tomatoes, and basil.
- With Mediterranean salmon and rice in a high-protein dinner bowl.
Recipe
quick refrigerator balsamic vinegar pickle recipe
Ingredients
- 3 small cucumbers (snacking size, sliced, or 1 medium cucumber)
- 2 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Before you start!
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Instructions
- Thinly slice the 3 snacking cucumbers and place in a medium to large jar. It's ok if they fill up most of the jar.
- In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoon balsamic glaze, ¼ cup white vinegar, ½ cup water, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, and ¼ teaspoon salt until combined.
- Pour this mixture into the cucumber jar, seal, and store in the fridge for at least 15 minutes before eating. I like to just leave them sit while I make dinner.
Video
Notes
- Use a mandolin if you have one to thinly slice the cucumbers. It makes the recipe so much faster and keeps the slices consistent.
- Add the cucumber slices first to the jar to make sure they will fit. They can fill up most of the jar so don’t worry if they are packed tightly.
- Mix in a separate bowl before pouring the balsamic vinegar into the jar. This allows you to fully mix the spices so they are evenly distributed.
- Using full-size cucumbers worked ok but they didn’t fit in the jar as well and weren’t bite-size. This was more of an annoyance when I wanted to snack on them straight from the fridge.
- Mixing the spices and vinegar separately really helped to not have to struggle trying to mix it with the cucumbers in the jar.
Looking for more information?
Additional substitution information can be found above in the substitution section of this post.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and for informational purposes only.
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