Spicy Pickled Cucumber Recipe

Pickling is a traditional method to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables. Pickling also adds flavors to the raw fruits and vegetables that make them more palatable. The spicy pickled cucumber recipe is an old but famous recipe.

If you love zesty snacks, homemade pickled cucumber will be a great snack item for you. Moreover, the flavors and crunchy textures of pickled cucumber complement your meals like burgers, pizza, spaghetti, etc.

You need to follow ancient techniques to prepare the hot and tangy cucumber pickles recipe. Therefore, we are here to guide you with useful tips and tricks. Read the whole article to learn the quick spicy cucumber pickles.

What are the Best Cucumbers for Pickling?

We will start with which cucumbers are best for pickling so that you can make pickles with the traditional taste. You cannot prepare pickles with all types of cucumber. You need firm and small cucumbers for pickling. Let me give you some suitable options;

1. Pickling Cucumbers

Pickling cucumbers are the most common cucumbers for pickling. They are very firm, small in size, and contain bumpy skin.  

2. Kirby Cucumbers

Kirby cucumber is quite similar to the pickling cucumber. They are very crunchy in texture which is appropriate for pickling. 

3. Persian Cucumbers

Persian cucumbers are smaller than pickling cucumbers. The flavor is sweeter, their skin is thin and have tender flesh. If you want to make quick pickles, you should go for the Persian cucumbers.

Quick Spicy Cucumber Pickles Ingredients

 Preparing the cucumber pickling recipes with spices requires a few common ingredients. Let us inform you about the ingredient’s name and amount for our recipe.

1. Cucumbers (pickling cucumbers or Persian cucumbers) – 4 to 5 small size
2. White Vinegar – 1 cup  (Alternatively; apple cider vinegar)
3. Water – 1 cup
4. Sugar – 2 tablespoons 
5. Salt – 1 tablespoon 
6. Garlic – 2 Cloves
7. Dried Red Chili Peppers – 1 to 2 pieces 
8. Red Pepper Flakes – 1 teaspoon 
9. Black Peppercorns – ½ teaspoon
10. Vegetable Oil – 2 tablespoons (Optional)
11. 1 teaspoon mustard seeds (optional)
12. 1 teaspoon coriander seeds (optional)

How to Make Spicy Pickled Cucumbers at Home: Easy 6 Steps

Asian-inspired spicy pickles recipe requires a long period to be prepared. Let me describe the whole process in easy 6 steps.

Step 1: Prepare the Cucumber

Cucumber is the primary ingredient of this crisp and spicy cucumber pickles recipe.

• Take 4 to 5 firm pieces of small-sized cucumber.
• Wash them nicely.
• Then cut them into your desired shape like a round, spear, or cube.
• You can also use them as whole pieces. 

Tips: Experts suggest cutting the cucumber into pieces. It will assist in absorbing the flavor properly. 

Step 2: Prepare Garlic 

The cucumber is ready. Now, you need to prepare the garlic.

• Wash the garlic cloves.
• Then mash the garlic using a food processor or a mortar. 

Step 3: Prepare the Brine

 Now, you need to prepare the chili-spiced pickling liquid.

• Take a saucepan.
• Combine vinegar, water, salt, sugar, mashed garlic, dried chili peppers, red pepper flakes, peppercorns, mustard, and coriander seeds.
• In this step, if you want to add some oil, you can add it to the jar. 
• Bring the solution to a boil over medium heat.
• Then, reduce the heat and simmer for 2 – 5 minutes.
• Simmering will allow the flavors to meld nicely.

Step 4: Pack the Jar

It’s time to pack the jar with cucumber.

• Take a clean and sterilized glass jar.
• Put the cucumber into the jar.

Step 5: Pour the Brine into the Jar

• Now pour the vinegar brine for cucumbers into the glass jar full of cucumbers.

Tips: The cucumbers need to be submersed completely. Don’t forget to keep a little headspace at the top of the jar. 

Step 6: Seal and Refrigerate

After filling the brine, you have to seal the jar appropriately.

• Seal the jar with the lid of the glass jar. Make sure that the lid is wooden or made with nontoxic materials.
• Then, cool the jar to room temperature.
• Lastly, refrigerate the jar for at least 24 hours.
• Then, you can enjoy the sweet and spicy pickled cucumber.

Tips: Refrigerating for up to a week, makes the real and perfect taste to the spicy refrigerator pickles.

How to Adjust the Spice Level in Pickled Cucumbers

Pickled cucumbers have versatile tastes. You can make it super spicy, you can make it sweet and spicy, additionally, and you can make it tangy & spicy too. Our experts suggest 3 tricks to adjust the spice level.

• Making Super Spicy

To prepare super spicy zesty pickled cucumbers, you can add extra red pepper flakes, dried chili peppers, and extra peppercorns while preparing the brine. Then, add the brine to the jar of cucumber and enjoy hot and spicy cucumber pickles. 

• Making Sweet and Spicy

To prepare sweet and spicy pickled cucumber, you will require sweet and spicy cucumber brine. So, you can add extra sugar to balance the spiciness. Then, you can enjoy sweet and spicy pickled cucumbers. 

• Making Tangy & Spicy

The pickles are generally taste tangy. If you want tangier flavors, you can increase the amount of vinegar or you can add a few slices of lemon to the brine. Then, enjoy the tangy and spicy cucumber pickles.

Conclusion

If you can prepare the spicy pickled cucumbers at home, it may be a rewarding experience for you. These pickles add flavors to your main meal and also increase the playability of any dish. Besides, pickles help to bring appetite when you feel sick.

Therefore, experts recommend learning the homemade pickled cucumbers. And our article assists you with the quickest and easiest recipe for pickled cucumbers. Read the article and easily learn how to prepare cucumber pickles with spices.

FAQs

Can Spicy Pickled Cucumbers Be Stored Long-term?

Yes, spicy pickled cucumbers can be stored for the long term. You can store the pickles for several months.

• You can store the pickles for up to 2 to 3 months by refrigeration in the fridge.
• If you want to store for longer, you can use the canning method to store the pickles. In the canning process, you can store the pickles for up to 1 year at room temperature.

What Are the Benefits of Pickling Vegetables?

Pickled vegetables have some important benefits. Such as;

• Pickled vegetables are fermented food. So, it contains probiotics. Probiotics are useful bacteria. These bacteria can improve our gut health and can boost our immunity.
• Pickles are very low in calories and high in fiber which helps to reduce our cholesterol level.
•   Pickled cucumbers are rich in antioxidants which help to reduce intracellular inflammation and fight against oxidative stress in our cells.
• Cucumber pickles are rich in vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C. 

What is the Origin of Pickled Cucumbers?

Pickled cucumber originated from Asian cuisine, particularly China. The pickled cucumbers were developed for the workers of the Great Wall of China. Over time, pickled cucumbers spread throughout Europe and America.