Best Bread and Butter Pickle Recipe at Home

Bread and Butter Pickle Recipe

If you’re looking for the best bread and butter pickle recipe, you probably want something that actually tastes like the real deal — sweet, tangy, slightly spicy, crunchy, and perfectly balanced. Most homemade versions end up too sweet, too sour, too soft, or flat in flavor. But a proper bread and butter pickle gets every element right: crisp cucumbers, aromatic spices, and a bright brine that deepens over time.

This guide breaks down everything: the right cucumber type, the correct slicing thickness, brine ratios, spices that make a difference, storage methods, and how to keep the pickles crunchy instead of limp. By the end, you’ll have a reliable bread and butter pickle recipe that works every time.

What Are Bread and Butter Pickles?

Bread and butter pickles are classic sweet-and-sour pickles made from cucumbers, onions, sugar, vinegar, and pickling spices. They are milder than dill pickles and pair perfectly with sandwiches, burgers, and grilled dishes.

The flavor profile includes:

• Sweetness from sugar
• Tang from vinegar
• Mild spice from mustard seeds and peppercorns
• Crunch from fresh cucumbers

They’re called “bread and butter pickles” because early versions were often served between bread and butter as an inexpensive meal during tough times.

Ingredients for the Best Bread and Butter Pickle Recipe

These pickles are simple but rely heavily on the quality and balance of ingredients.

• 5–6 medium cucumbers
• 1 medium onion (thinly sliced)
• 1/4 cup salt (non-iodized)
• 1 1/2 cups white vinegar
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp celery seeds
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
• 1 tsp black peppercorns

Optional add-ons:

• Garlic cloves
• A pinch of ginger powder
• Extra turmeric for color

These ingredients form the classic sweet-tangy flavor people expect.

The Step-by-Step Bread and Butter Pickle Recipe

Follow each step exactly — small changes can ruin the texture or flavor.

Step 1: Slice the Cucumbers

Cut the cucumbers into 1/4-inch slices. Too thin and they turn limp; too thick and they don’t absorb the brine properly.

Choose firm cucumbers with minimal seeds. Pickling cucumbers or Kirby cucumbers work best.

Step 2: Salt the Cucumbers and Onions

Combine cucumber slices, onions, and salt in a bowl. Toss well.

Let them sit for 1–2 hours.

Why?
Salt draws out excess water, keeps the pickles crisp, and strengthens flavor. Skipping this step leads to soggy pickles.

Step 3: Rinse and Drain

After resting, rinse the cucumbers thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt. Drain well.

Step 4: Prepare the Brine

In a saucepan, combine:

• White vinegar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Sugar
• Turmeric
• Mustard seeds
• Celery seeds
• Peppercorns
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Simmer until sugar dissolves.

The brine should taste sweet, tangy, and warm from the spices.

Step 5: Add Cucumbers to the Brine

Add drained cucumbers and onions directly into the hot brine. Stir well and cook for 3–4 minutes — no longer.

This short heating allows the cucumbers to absorb flavor without losing crunch.

Step 6: Pack the Jars

Use clean, sterilized jars. Fill them with the hot cucumber-onion mixture and pour in brine until fully covered.

Step 7: Seal and Cool

Seal jars and let them cool to room temperature.

Then refrigerate for at least 24 hours before eating. The flavor improves significantly after 2–3 days.

Why This Bread and Butter Pickle Recipe Works

This recipe hits every mark:

• Correct sweetness: Not overwhelming, balanced by vinegar.
• Crisp texture: Achieved through salting and quick heating.
• Classic spice mix: Mustard seeds, turmeric, and celery seeds mimic the traditional flavor.
• Two-vinegar blend: White + apple cider creates depth.

It’s authentic, practical, and gives consistent results.

How to Keep Pickles Crunchy

Crunch is everything in a bread and butter pickle recipe. Here’s what guarantees it:

Use firm cucumbers
Soft cucumbers become mush instantly.

Salt them long enough
1–2 hours removes moisture.

Quick cooking only
Boiling them longer destroys texture.

Don’t overfill jars
Packed jars trap heat and soften cucumbers.

Refrigerate immediately after cooling
This stops further softening.

Variations of Bread and Butter Pickle Recipe

You can customize the flavor without losing authenticity.

Spicy Bread and Butter Pickles

Add:

• Extra red pepper flakes
• Fresh jalapeño slices
• 1/2 tsp cayenne

This makes them hotter without overpowering sweetness.

Garlic Bread and Butter Pickles

Add 3–4 crushed garlic cloves to the brine. Sharp, savory, and bold.

Extra Sweet Version

Increase sugar to 2 cups.
Recommended only if you prefer sweeter pickles.

Low-Sugar Version

Reduce sugar to 1 cup.
The flavor will be tangier.

No-Cook Version

Mix cucumbers with brine and store in fridge without heating.
Crunchier but milder flavor.

How to Use Bread and Butter Pickles

They’re not just for snacking. Use them in:

Sandwiches and burgers
The sweetness balances fatty meats like pulled pork, burgers, and ham.

Salads
Chop and add to potato salad, coleslaw, or tuna salad.

Cheese boards
Their tang complements cheddar, gouda, and smoked cheeses.

Wraps and roll-ups
A small amount adds bright flavor.

Raita or yogurt dips
Chopped pickles elevate flavor instantly.

BBQ plates
They cut through smoky dishes perfectly.

Shelf Life and Storage Tips

Refrigerated version:
Lasts 2–3 months.

Canned version (water-bath processed):
Lasts 1 year unopened.

After opening:
Best consumed within 6–8 weeks.

Make sure cucumbers stay submerged in brine — exposure to air causes spoilage.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Pickles are soggy:
You didn’t salt them long enough or boiled too long.

Brine is cloudy:
Normal with turmeric or apple cider vinegar.

Pickles taste too sweet:
Add 1–2 tbsp vinegar directly to the jar.

Pickles too sour:
Add 2 tbsp sugar to the jar and stir the brine.

Brine doesn’t cover cucumbers:
Top with a small amount of vinegar-water mixture (1:1).

Quick Bread and Butter Pickle Recipe (5-Minute Version)

If you’re in a rush:

Mix together:

• 2 cups cucumber slices
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• A pinch of mustard seeds
• A pinch of turmeric

Refrigerate 30 minutes. Not as deep in flavor, but still delicious.

Why Bread and Butter Pickles Are So Popular

Because they hit the perfect balance of:

• Sweet
• Tangy
• Mild heat
• Crunch
• Bright color

They are more versatile than normal pickles and pair with more foods. The turmeric gives them that classic golden color that looks great on sandwiches.

Final Thoughts

This bread and butter pickle recipe gives you everything you need — crisp cucumbers, balanced sweetness, tang, and the signature spice blend that defines this classic. Whether you want a spicier, sweeter, or low-sugar version, the core technique stays the same: slice right, salt properly, use a balanced brine, and store correctly.