Delicious, crispy Refrigerator Kosher Dill Pickles without the canning process! If you’re a dill pickle fan but not enthusiastic about canning, you’ll love my copycat recipe of the famous Claussen brand of dill pickles found in your grocery store’s refrigerator case.
For lots of us, canning season is at its height about now. Everyone’s putting up luscious fruits and tasty veggies to enjoy throughout the year.
One of our family’s favorites and the recipe I do without fail every year is kosher dill pickles. I’ve only done a few quarts so far this year and really should get busy doing some more.
I’ve done a few Quick Pickled Jalapenos and some bread and butter pickles but no jams or preserves yet. Need to get those done while peaches are still at their peak. And maybe make some Okra Chips as well. Can you tell that preserving and canning is something I really enjoy?
But what if you don’t have all the canning equipment or just don’t enjoy doing that kind of work? Well then, maybe refrigerator pickles would be more your style.
These refrigerator kosher dill pickles are a copycat of the Claussen brand you find in the refrigerator section at your grocery store. They’re really, really easy to do and have a great crunch and flavor. I’d love for you to give these a try and let me know how you like them!
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: Stovetop
Total Time: 1 hour, 40 Minutes
Servings: 36
Primary Ingredient(s): Pickling cucumbers, apple cider vinegar, dill, garlic, minced onion
Skill Level: Easy
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- No boiling water bath is required.
- No special canning equipment is needed.
- Very easy! You don’t need to be a “canning person” to make these.
- They’re crunchier than canned pickles and taste very much like the name brand.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING …
“These are absolutely the very best pickles I’ve ever had!! My family loved them so much, I’m making another batch tomorrow!”
— Lori
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Ingredient Notes
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- Pickling cucumbers – also known as “Kirby” cucumbers or sometimes “salad” cucumbers; be sure not to purchase the regular waxed cucumbers for this.
- Apple cider vinegar
- Dried minced onion – you’ll find this in the spice aisle at your grocery store.
- Fresh garlic
- Yellow mustard seed – also in your grocery store’s spice section.
- Canning salt – we use canning salt because it’s completely pure salt and will keep the pickle brine nice and clear.
- Fresh dill heads or dried dill seed – find fresh dill in your grocery store’s produce section or dried dill seed with the spices.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Refrigerator Kosher Dill Pickles
One word of warning about this recipe – if possible, open the windows before you start boiling the solution. It gives off a really strong onion odor. And don’t make this the day before you’re having company over, because your house will still smell like it the day after!
👉 PRO TIP: If you happen to have fresh dill in your garden or from your grocery store, you can use the heads in this recipe. Otherwise, dried dill seed works just as well. If you use the fresh dill, pack it in the jars with the cucumbers. If using dill seed, put them in with the vinegar solution.
Make the Brine
- In a large saucepan, bring the water, vinegar, onion, garlic, mustard seed, canning salt, and dill seed (if using) to a rapid boil. Cook until the salt has completely dissolved. Set the mixture aside and allow it to cool to room temperature.
Prepare the Jars
- Prepare six wide-mouth quart canning jars and lids. Wash the jars, lids, and rings thoroughly in hot, soapy water. Rinse well. Set the lids and bands aside. To sterilize the jars, place them in a large pot filled with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Boil 10 minutes. Remove the jars from the water using a canning jar lifter and place them upside down on a kitchen towel to cool until needed.
Prep the Cucumbers
- Prepare the cucumbers by washing in cool water, being careful to remove any dirt that may cling to the skin. Remove a 1/16” slice from the blossom end of each cucumber. Slice the cucumbers lengthwise into halves or quarters.
Fill the Jars
- To each sterilized jar, add one head of fresh dill (if using) and pack with the cucumber halves or quarters. Pour the cooled mixture over the cucumbers in the jars.
- Wipe the rims with a dampened paper towel. Add a canning lid and ring to each jar. Turn the ring just until you meet resistance. Don’t over tighten the rings.
Store the Pickles
- Allow the jars to sit at room temperature for three days. Shake or turn the jars occasionally to distribute the seasonings. This short standing time allows for a very light fermentation process to take place. After three days, transfer the jars to the refrigerator. May be stored unopened in the refrigerator for six months.
Tips and Variations
- Be sure to use only pickling type cucumbers for the recipe (pickling cucumbers are also called “kirby” or sometimes “salad” cucumbers). Don’t purchase the typical waxed cucumbers found in the produce section.
- Because this isn’t a canning recipe (i.e., it isn’t being prepared for pantry storage, and it’s not shelf-stable), you can vary the ingredients a bit to suit your taste —
- if you like your pickles hot, add a dried red pepper pod to each jar along with the cucumbers.
- the amount of salt may be reduced.
- additional spices may be added; suggestions include dried coriander and/or dried red pepper flakes.
- Use pickling salt (not table salt or kosher salt) in order to prevent cloudiness in the brine.
- White vinegar may be used in place of cider vinegar. There will be a subtle difference in flavor.
More Copycat Recipes You’ll Like
Questions About Copycat Claussen Kosher Dill Pickles
Without getting into the technicalities of Jewish dietary requirements, kosher dills typically contain garlic and peppercorns in the brine. Regular dills generally do not include them.
Pickles produced using this recipe must be stored in the refrigerator after the three-day standing time because they haven’t been processed to create a seal between the lid and the jar.
You can always grow your own. Or check your local farmers’ markets and grocery stores. I buy mine at the local Wal-Mart.
Yes, you can pickle many different kinds of vegetables! And they’re delicious, too. Try sliced carrots, cauliflower florets, celery, and sweet bell peppers.
Have a question or thought to share?
If you have a question about the recipe or if you’ve made it and want to share how it turned out, I would truly enjoy hearing from you. Just scroll down to leave a comment or add your star rating.
Thank you for stopping by. It means a lot to have you here.
Recipe
Refrigerator Kosher Dill Pickles (Claussen Copycat)
Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup dried minced onion
- 6 garlic cloves finely minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons yellow mustard seed
- ⅓ cup canning salt
- 6 heads fresh dill or 4 ½ teaspoons dried dill seed
- About 18 pickling cucumbers
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, bring the water, vinegar, onion, garlic, mustard seed, canning salt and dill seed (if using) to a rapid boil. Cook until the salt has completely dissolved. Set the mixture aside and allow to cool to room temperature.6 cups water, 2 cups apple cider vinegar, ⅓ cup dried minced onion, 6 garlic cloves, 1 ½ teaspoons yellow mustard seed, ⅓ cup canning salt, 6 heads fresh dill
- Prepare six wide-mouth quart canning jars and lids. Wash the jars, lids, and rings thoroughly in hot, soapy water. Rinse well. Set the lids and bands (rings) aside until needed. To sterilize the jars, place the jars in a large pot and fill with water just to cover the jars. Bring to a boil. Boil 10 minutes. Remove the jars from the water using a canning jar lifter and place upside down on a kitchen towel to cool.
- Prepare the cucumbers by washing in cool water being careful to remove any dirt that may cling to the skin. Remove a 1/16” slice from the blossom end of each cucumber. Slice the cucumbers lengthwise into halves or quarters.About 18 pickling cucumbers
- To each sterilized jar, add one head of dill (if using) and pack with the cucumber halves or quarters. Pour the cooled brine mixture over the cucumbers in the jars.
- Wipe the rims with a dampened paper towel. Close the jars using two-piece canning lids but don't tfrocefully ighten the ring — turn it just until you meet resistance.
- Allow the jars to sit at room temperature for three days. Shake or turn the jars occasionally to distribute the seasonings. After three days, transfer the jars to the refrigerator. May be stored unopened in the refrigerator for six months.
Notes
- Be sure to purchase the right type of cucumbers for making pickles. You’ll want those labeled “kirby” or “salad” cucumbers.
- Store unopened in the refrigerator for up to six months. Once opened, use within six weeks.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
— This post was originally published on August 3, 2013. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.
I used regular vinegar instead of cider vinegar will they be safe to eat
As long as they’re kept refrigerated, yes, they’ll be safe. They will have a different taste because of the different vinegar used, but they’ll be safe.
Tried these a few days ago & my pickle loving family thinks they are great thanks! I did add a significant amount of minced garlic (about 4 T). I can’t imagine kosher dills without it.
Tried the recepie. Very easy. Let them set 3 days at room temperature, then 7 days in the fridge. I raised a quizzical eye brow at the 1/2 cup of salt. Boy oh boy! are they salty! What is the least amount of salt I can do without compromising the preservation factor? Otherwise, they were awesome! The crisp texture was amazing! I would also use fresh onion next batch.
Since there is no “preservation factor” with this recipe, you can reduce the salt to any level you wish. These pickles are for refrigerator storage only. They’re not shelf stable so you don’t have to worry about preservation.
Thanks! You’re awesome!
These are dill pickles, but what is kosher?
Kathy – you’ll see both regular dill pickles and kosher dill pickles on your grocery store shelves. In addition to the usual ingredients, kosher dill pickles have garlic and black peppercorns in the pickling liquid. The garlic and peppercorns may or may not be strained out before the pickles are packed into jars. I choose to leave them in.
making these NOW! in Sweden. Will let you know if they are SUPER…i am sure they are, as EVERYTHING I HAVE TRIED FROM YOUR PAGES ARE WONDERFUL!! You are a fine southern lady girl!! thank you for sending cooking ideas to a former Kentuckian whom lives in Sweden and other places in Europe for 40 years. HUG Michael
These looks so yummy, specially for my 8 years old daughter who loves pickles. Could I still seal them and keep them in the pantry or these are just for refrigerate them?
Hi Michaelle – these are really good pickles, but the recipe is not for pantry storage, refrigerator storage only. It hasn’t been tested for canning and, based on my experience, this brine would not be acidic enough to make a safe, shelf-stable product.
We made these yesterday and the tops never sealed. Are they supposed to or is that the reason for the refrigeration? If that’s the case, couldn’t you use old tops as long as they’re not bent? Either way, I’m sure my family will eat them before they go bad.
Hi Heather – they aren’t supposed to seal. You’d have to do a boiling water process on them to create a seal. That’s why they’re called “refrigerator” pickles. The jars and lids are sterilized to prevent any chance of contamination.
These remind me of my grandma’s pickles. So good. So crisp. Definitely giving these a try!
Thanks for the mention :)
You’re welcome! Your recipe sounds delicious, too.
I make a very good dill pickle that sounds somewhat the same but we call them solar pickles because we keep them outside in the sun for 3 days. They are topped with rye bread and then the lid is put on. No onions, just , dill, garlic, salt , vinegar and water! Very very good and just can’t make enough of them!
Now that’s something I’ve never heard of. Rye bread? Do you put it in the jar with the cucumbers, etc.? I’m intrigued.
I’ve never made kosher dills before, yours looks gorgeously perfect! Thank you for linking to my favorite quick pickle recipe of my mom’s, I need to make a batch!!
You’re welcome, Brenda. Your mom’s recipe sounds delicious and I’m planning on trying it next!
I wish I liked dill pickles. Never cultivated that taste, but these look wonderful.
Miss P
I didn’t know that you don’t like dill pickles! Oh well…more for the rest of us :-)
Love this! Never have made these before, but there’s a first time for everything, right? YAY! Thanks!
Hope you’ll give it a try, Kelly. Enjoy!
I am concerned about not using hot brine instead of the cold brine. Isn’t this risking bacteria? Shouldn’t they be put in the fridge immediatly?
Jane – I understand your concern. Refrigeration definitely slows down the growth of bacteria, but vinegar slows it even more. I felt that the amount of vinegar in the solution was sufficient to prevent problems. However, if you feel at all uncomfortable leaving the pickles out, by all means do refrigerate them immediately.
I’ve always wanted to make my own dill pickles. These ones look fabulous!
I hope you’ll try them, Sues! They’re really, really easy and so good.
oh yay! I am pinning this and trying it next week..so many cucumbers right now..thank you.
Love, Mona
Hope you enjoy it, Mona!