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.
Could these be made into slices in pint jars?
Possibly. I’ve never tested that.
Why does it need to sit out at room temperature for 3 days? Wouldn’t it last longer in the fridge if it was put into the fridge right away?
As I stated in the post, the three day period at room temperature allows the pickles to go through a quick fermenting process to develop the flavors. They’re then stored in the refrigerator to both stop the fermentation and to lengthen storage. Three days at room temp doesn’t affect how long they can be successfully stored in the fridge.
I made these pickles yesterday and can’t wait to try! how long do I wait to eat after they are refrigerated?
You can eat them right away, but they’re best after about a month.
Thank you
Can I use this brine recipe in my canned dill pickles?
I would cook it like a pickle brine would be done.
I would can the pickles.
No. This recipe’s brine is not the proper level of acidity for canning.
Simple yet simply delicious!
I added 1/4 tsp pickle crisp.
Thank you for a recipe that can be used as my small crop of cucumbers are ready to pick!
You’re welcome!
I halved the recipe to three quarts. Does the liquid in the jar need to be to the top of the jar?
It needs to cover the cucumbers. Because this is not a canning recipe, the exact level isn’t important as long as everything in the jar is covered. If you didn’t have enough liquid, that typically means you didn’t pack your jars with enough cucumbers.
What kind of liquid would I need to add?
You would either add more cucumbers to fill up the jar or more of the pickling brine that you made with the recipe.
Can this recipe be cut in half to accommodate half the amount of cukes I have on hand?
Thanks!
Yes, of course.
I tried this recipe for the first time this year and we love it! My daughter can get enough. I would love to be able to keep them longer. Can I can them in a hot Water bath so I can store them on a shelf?
This recipe isn’t meant for canning. Refrigerator storage only.
This recipe is the best. Anyone who has tasted these pickles I made, beg for more! A forever keeper recipe
I made these the other day and I was amazed how much like Claussens they are. I didn’t have fresh dill so I substituted dried and I used fresh onion. Thank you !!
Thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed the recipe!
Is it apple cider vinager your refering to?? And what brand?
Yes, apple cider vinegar. I normally use the Heinz brand because it’s clarified (not raw) and won’t cloud the pickling brine like some others do.
How cooled do you let the mixture get until you add it to the cucumbers??? I’m guessing that is how you make them crispy. I always add the mix to the cucumbers while it is still boiling temperature and I’m guessing that’s why my pickles are always squishy. Thank you for the recipe. I have a lot of garden cucumbers and I’m going to definitely try this recipe.
Let it cool to room temperature.
Hi! I have tons of burpless cucs on the vine in the garden. I need to do something and would love to make these. Not the pickle cucs. Will I be ok to use mine?
Thanks!
I haven’t tested this recipe with other varieties of cucumbers.
I Just made my first batch but hardly have enough mixture for two jars what did I do wrong
Without being in your kitchen with you watching you make the recipe, all I can do is guess. But the most likely problem is that you simply did not pack enough cucumbers into the jars to take up the space.
How long do these need to be refrigerated before they are ready to eat
Hi Carol, the recipe calls for them to sit for three days at room temperature and then transfer to the refrigerator. They’re ready to eat at that point but I always give them at least 24 hours to chill for the best flavor.
I am making these tomorrow! Is it ok to throw some extra garlic (without putting it in the boiling brine) into some of the jars for us garlic lovers?
Sure, that’s fine. Just be sure to keep your pickles refrigerated.