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    Home » Recipes » Keto Recipes

    Refrigerator Dill Pickles No Sugar- Sugar Free Refrigerated Pickles

    By: Summer Yule · This post may contain affiliate links. · 4 Comments

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    ↓ RECIPE ↓ VIDEO
    no cook pickled cucumbers
    no cook refrigerator pickles

    Try my recipe for refrigerator dill pickles (no sugar) if you want a quick pickling recipe that's sugar free. Just put your onions and cucumbers in a jar with spices, add the brine, and pop it in the fridge. You’ll also get a pickle recipe without dill option, and both fit most special diets, including low carb, keto, gluten-free, and vegan.

    cucumbers and onions in jar

    If you've never tried no cook refrigerator pickles before, now might be a great time. I grow cucumbers, and cucumber season is wrapping up where I live. These refrigerator pickles without sugar are the best way to use garden cucumbers.

    Old fashioned cucumbers and onions in vinegar are a tasty topping for burgers, or for snacking on alone! You’ll love this recipe for sugar-free refrigerator pickles if you want an easy recipe for no boil pickles. (Don’t miss the tips on making no cook sweet pickles and dill pickles too!)

    Jump to:
    • 🥒 Refrigerator Dill Pickles No Sugar
    • ➕ How to Make Refrigerator Pickles No Sugar
    • ⭐ What is the difference between fridge pickles and traditional pickling?
    • FAQs
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Other Pickled Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian 
    • 💬 Comments

    🥒 Refrigerator Dill Pickles No Sugar

    Here are the ingredients you need to make the best no sugar refrigerator pickles:

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    • 10 ounces pickling cucumbers, thinly sliced (284 grams; 1-2 cucumbers)
    • 2-3 cloves garlic, smashed
    • ½ medium onion, thinly sliced
    • 4 fresh dill sprigs
    • 1 cup white vinegar
    • 3 cups water (very hot from tap)
    • 1½ tablespoons finely ground sea salt

    Get a printable recipe card at the end of the post!

    Dried dill can also be used for no cook dill pickles, but fresh dill looks much nicer in the jars. Also, fresh dillweed doesn’t stick to the cucumbers as much. That said, you can substitute about 1 tablespoon dried dill for the fresh dill if you’d prefer.

    Pickling varieties of cucumbers (such as Kirby cucumbers) are best for pickling. Small Persian cucumbers (mini cucumbers) don’t soften up as well and aren’t recommended for this recipe, but may work fine for pickle spears. English cucumbers have thinner skin than pickling cucumbers, resulting in a soggy cucumber (source).

    I really like red onions for pickling cucumbers and onions. They turn the brine a lovely pink color and are a bit milder than yellow onions. Sweet onions are a nice alternative if you don’t want pink brine.

    I always use white vinegar for pickles. It’s cheap and has a neutral flavor. You could substitute with white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or rice vinegar if you prefer.

    Does the type of salt matter when making pickles? You should use canning salt for canned pickles. For refrigerator pickle recipes, using Kosher salt or fine ground sea salt is fine.

    The kitchen equipment you need for no cook refrigerated pickles includes a wide-mouth quart jar with lid (glass mason jar). You’ll also need a sharp knife or mandoline slicer to slice the vegetables.

    Pickle Recipe without Dill

    You could also make homemade refrigerator pickles without dill if you’d prefer. Here’s the shopping list:

    • 10 ounces pickling cucumbers, thinly sliced (284 grams; 1-2 cucumbers)
    • 2-3 cloves garlic, smashed
    • ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
    • ½ jalapeno, sliced
    • 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
    • 1 teaspoon juniper berries
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 cup white vinegar
    • 3 cups water (very hot from tap)
    • 1½ tablespoons finely ground sea salt

    You’re welcome to play around with the herbs and spices I used. Skip the juniper berries if you can’t find them, add some coriander seed, red pepper flakes for heat, etc.

    ingredients no cook refrigerator pickles

    ➕ How to Make Refrigerator Pickles No Sugar

    Let’s make no sugar fridge pickles! Here are the step-by-step instructions:

    1. First, it’s important to cut the cucumbers thin since this is a no cook recipe. Don’t use whole pickles; the brine will take too long to penetrate them. Cut the cucumbers into slices that are ¼-inch (0.6 cm) thick, discarding the stem end. Cut the onion in half and slice ⅛-inch (0.3 cm) thick. Smash the garlic cloves.
    1. Stir the vinegar, hot water, and salt together until the salt has dissolved. Set this brine aside.
    1. Layer all of the other ingredients in a wide-mouth quart jar. I like to start with the herbs and spices and end with the cucumbers.
    1. Pour the brine over the top, filling the jar to the bottom of its neck and completely covering the cucumbers. You will not use all of the brine. Leave about 1-inch (2.54 cm) of headspace in the jar. This will give you room to shake the jar. If the jar is overpacked, you can take some veggies out (but you should not need to do this).
    1. Put the lid on the jar, give it a gentle shake, and refrigerate. These pickles are best after sitting in the fridge for around a week, but you can start enjoying them in 3-5 days if you're feeling impatient. Even though they’re quick pickles, they’re still a slow food.

    These pickle chips are great on a sandwich or wrap!

    Old fashioned pickles and onions in vinegar

    ⭐ What is the difference between fridge pickles and traditional pickling?

    The main difference between old fashioned refrigerator pickles and classic pickles is that fridge pickles are not canned. While properly canned pickles are shelf-stable and can be safely stored at a cool temperature for months, fridge pickles must be refrigerated. In addition, these low sugar refrigerator pickles won’t last as long (only about a month).

    These no cook refrigerator pickles have a vinegar to water ratio of 1:3 and are not safe for canning. Cucumber pickle recipes that are safe for heat processing must have a higher acidity.

    “Traditional pickles” is often used to refer to fermented cucumbers. Beneficial bacteria in traditionally fermented cucumber pickles have been encouraged to thrive. This gives the pickles a sour or tangy flavor and helps to preserve them.

    The downside of traditional ferments is that they can take a long time to ferment (often weeks). We’re taking a shortcut with this pickled cucumber recipe. The vinegar brine gives the pickles a piquant flavor without the long fermentation.

    no cook refrigerator pickles recipe

    FAQs

    What kind of pickles have no sugar?

    Dill pickles are often made without adding sugar during the pickling process and are suitable for those who want to avoid sugar in their diet. Check the nutrition label of the pickle jar to ensure they are keto pickles.

    Do dill pickles need sugar?

    No, dill pickles do not require sugar in their traditional recipe. They are typically made with a brine of water, vinegar, salt, and dill spices. Sugar is not a standard ingredient in dill pickle recipes.

    What is a good substitute for sugar in pickles?

    A good substitute for sugar in pickles is Swerve or Lakanto monkfruit sweetener, or another 1:1 sugar replacement. This is an easy way to make no sugar refrigerator bread and butter pickles and other sweet pickles.

    Do you have to use sugar in pickling?

    Sugar is not a mandatory ingredient in pickling. Many pickling recipes use vinegar, salt, and various spices for flavor and preservation, without the need for sugar. However, some pickling recipes may include sugar to balance flavors or add sweetness, but it's not a universal requirement in pickling.

    Do you have to boil jars for refrigerator pickles?

    Since we are not canning pickles, you do not need to boil the jars to sterilize them. Regularly washing the jars (in the dishwasher or by hand) is fine for fridge pickles.

    How long do refrigerator pickles last?

    Homemade pickled cucumbers last for 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator. They must stay submerged in the brine to stay fresh. Do not freeze them.

    How to make refrigerator pickles no vinegar?

    You can make refrigerator pickles without vinegar, as Mark Bittman does in this kosher pickles recipe. Keep in mind that these pickles may not have the sharpness of cucumbers pickled in vinegar.

    no cook pickles in jar

    👩🏻‍🍳 Other Pickled Recipes

    Want more recipes for pickled vegetables and fermented vegetables or fruit? Don’t miss these:

    • Fermented Red Cabbage Sauerkraut
    • Lebanese Pickles Recipe
    • Fermented Lemons

    Join our community! Subscribe and be kept up-to-date on the latest and greatest recipes. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!

    refrigerator pickles no cook

    📖 Recipe

    Like this recipe?Leave a rating by clicking the ⭐ below!
    fridge pickles

    Refrigerator Dill Pickles No Sugar- Sugar Free Refrigerated Pickles

    Summer Yule
    Try my no-cook refrigerator pickles if you want a quick pickle recipe! Just put your herbs, onions, and cucumbers in a jar, add the brine, and refrigerate. Easy!
    5 from 3 votes
    Rate Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish, Slow Food DIY
    Cuisine American, Eastern European
    Servings 16
    Calories 5 kcal

    Equipment

    Wide-Mouth Quart Jar
    Knife

    Ingredients

    Refrigerator Dill Pickles (No Sugar):

    • 10 ounces pickling cucumbers, thinly sliced (284 grams; 1-2 cucumbers)
    • 2-3 cloves garlic, smashed
    • ½ medium onion, thinly sliced
    • 4 sprigs fresh dill
    • 1 cup white vinegar
    • 3 cups water (very hot from tap)
    • 1½ tablespoons finely ground sea salt

    Pickle Recipe without Dill:

    • 10 ounces pickling cucumbers, thinly sliced (284 grams; 1-2 cucumbers)
    • 2-3 cloves garlic, smashed
    • ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
    • ½ jalapeno, sliced
    • 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
    • 1 teaspoon juniper berries
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 cup white vinegar
    • 3 cups water (very hot from tap)
    • 1½ tablespoons finely ground sea salt
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    Want to Help?If you love this recipe, please come back and leave a rating. This helps readers and I'd love to hear from you. Thank you ❤️

    Instructions

    • Cut the cucumbers into slices that are ¼-inch (0.6 cm) thick, discarding the stem end. Cut the onion in half and slice ⅛-inch (0.3 cm) thick. Smash the garlic cloves.
    • Stir the vinegar, hot water, and salt together until the salt has dissolved. Set this brine aside. 
    • Layer all of the other ingredients in a wide-mouth quart jar. I like to start with the herbs and spices and end with the cucumbers. 
    • Pour the brine over the top, filling the jar to the bottom of its neck and completely covering the cucumbers. You will not use all of the brine. Leave about 1-inch (2.54 cm) of headspace in the jar.
    • Put the lid on the jar, give it a gentle shake, and refrigerate. These pickles are best after sitting in the fridge for around a week, but you can start enjoying them in 3-5 days if you're feeling impatient. 🙂
    Save this Recipe Saved!

    Video

    Notes

    💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian 

    This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). The nutrition information for this recipe excludes the brine. (Note: Though you are likely not consuming the brine, the sodium content of this recipe will be higher than listed below since the veggies do absorb some of the salt.) 
    Cucumber pickles with no added sugar, as we have here, are an extremely low-calorie food. They fit most special diets (aside from low-sodium diets), and they add a great flavor to meals. I enjoy them as a snack as well. 
    Cucumber pickles (though botanical fruits) count towards your non-starchy vegetable intake. Most of us in the U.S. don’t get enough veggies in our diets, so why not include some pickles? 
    The electrolyte losses associated with very low carb and keto diets can lead to electrolyte imbalances if the diet isn’t planned well. The salt in pickled and naturally fermented veggies can help replenish sodium. Though many of us overconsume sodium, it’s also an essential mineral that is needed for good health. 
    Most sodium in the American diet comes from ultra-processed foods and restaurant meals. If you are cooking at home and prioritizing whole foods, your diet may not be very high in sodium. Enjoying some cucumber pickles now and then is a good way to include more of this nutrient on healthy eating plans. 

    The Disclaimer… 

    All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you. 
    The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be wildly inaccurate, so please don't sweat the numbers too much. 
    For more information on how the three recipe levels may help with a weight management goal, refer to my overnight oats no sugar post. Let's get cooking! 
     
    Nutrition information is for one serving of no sugar refrigerator dill pickles and does not include the brine, herbs, and spices. Sodium content is likely an underestimate, since some brine is absorbed by the veggies. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 5kcalCarbohydrates: 1.1gProtein: 0.2gSodium: 0.4mgPotassium: 26mgFiber: 0.2gVitamin A: 0.4% DVVitamin C: 1.9% DVCalcium: 0.2% DVIron: 0.2% DV
    Keywords fridge pickles no cook, fridge pickles no sugar, no boil pickles, no cook cucumber pickles, no cook fridge pickles, no cook refrigerator pickles, no sugar fridge pickles, no sugar refrigerator pickles, refrigerator dill pickles no sugar, refrigerator pickles no cook, refrigerator pickles no sugar
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jeri says

      August 31, 2023 at 3:11 pm

      I have a question. Can I use pickling spices?

      Reply
      • Summer Yule says

        September 01, 2023 at 10:08 am

        Yes, absolutely!

        Reply
    2. Terrified Amateur says

      August 02, 2020 at 3:52 pm

      Clever way, Summer, of getting around a process I always thought turned the kitchen into a sauna for a day.

      Of course, my last direct experience was many years ago, as a kid, when my parents grew pickling cucumbers. Of course, the vines were at peak production when the season also was at full subtropical force. I remember big stockpots full of water boiling away on the stovetop all day.

      Sure, we had a year's supply of homemade pickles after that, and they were so amazing, but I still don't know if was entirely worth accompanying Dante on his tour of the seven rings. Your innovation, though, gets around that ordeal. Well-played, Summer!

      Reply
      • Summer Yule says

        August 03, 2020 at 2:23 pm

        Where you are, I bet you have access to a lot of great pickled veggies. I've come to associate Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine with delicious chow-chow and other yummy preserved items in that category. In your case, you may be able to get some excellent homemade pickles locally without this recipe or heating up the house! When we lived in central upstate NY, the Amish would sell delicious homemade foods at the farmer's markets. Unfortunately, they don't seem to come to the markets in our current neck of the woods!

        Reply

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