🥒 Fresh Pickled Cucumber Salad (Refrigerator Pickles)
Mediterranean-Inspired | No-Cook • Crisp • Long-Lasting
🌿 Description
This fresh pickled cucumber salad is a quick Mediterranean-style refrigerator pickle, not canned, which means it’s bright, crunchy, and alive with flavor. Made with cucumbers, onion, herbs, olive oil, and vinegar, it’s perfect as a snack, side dish, sandwich topping, or mezze plate addition. The flavors deepen over time, making each day better than the last.
🫒 Ingredients (Makes 2 Quarts)
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6–7 medium cucumbers (about 3 lb), thinly sliced
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1 large red or white onion, thinly sliced
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4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
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2 cups white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
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½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
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½–¾ cup sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
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2 tbsp sea salt
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1 tbsp black peppercorns
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1 tbsp mustard seeds
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1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
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1 large bunch fresh dill, chopped
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Optional Mediterranean add-ins:
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1 tsp dried oregano
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Lemon peel strips
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Bay leaf (1–2)
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🥗 Instructions
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Prep vegetables
Wash cucumbers well and slice thin. Slice onion and garlic. -
Layer
In a large bowl or directly into two clean quart jars, layer cucumbers, onion, garlic, and dill. -
Make the brine
In a saucepan, gently warm vinegar, olive oil, sugar (or honey), salt, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and red pepper flakes—just until sugar dissolves. Do not boil. -
Pour & seal
Pour warm brine over vegetables, fully covering them. -
Cool & chill
Let cool to room temperature, seal jars, and refrigerate. -
Wait (if you can!)
Ready in 24 hours, best after 3–5 days.
🌿 Mediterranean Benefits
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Cucumbers → hydrating & low-calorie
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Olive oil → heart-healthy fats
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Garlic & herbs → antimicrobial & anti-inflammatory
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Vinegar → supports digestion & appetite control
❓ Q & A
Q: How long does this keep in the fridge?
A: Up to 2 months when refrigerated and fully submerged in brine.
Q: Does it need to be canned?
A: No. This is a refrigerator pickle, not shelf-stable.
Q: Can I reduce the sugar?
A: Yes. Reduce to ¼ cup or replace with honey or a sugar-free alternative.
Q: What cucumbers are best?
A: Persian or English cucumbers stay crispest, but regular slicing cucumbers work well.
Q: How do I keep them crunchy?
A: Use fresh cucumbers, don’t boil the brine, and keep everything cold.
🥒 Serving Ideas
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Snack straight from the jar
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Serve with grilled fish or chicken
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Add to wraps, burgers, or grain bowls
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Part of a Mediterranean mezze platter
