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sun dill pickles recipes - Jars of sun dill pickles sitting in the bright summer sunlight

Old-Fashioned Sun Dill Pickles

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A classic, crunchy summer staple made using the natural heat of the sun for a mild ferment and perfect snap.

  • Total Time: 3 days
  • Yield: 4 quarts 1x

Ingredients

Scale

4 lbs Kirby or pickling cucumbers
8 cups filtered water
1/2 cup pickling salt
1 cup white distilled vinegar (5% acidity)
8 fresh dill heads
12 cloves garlic, smashed
4 tsp black peppercorns
4 grape leaves (optional, for crunch)
1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Wash cucumbers thoroughly in cold water and trim 1/16th of an inch off the blossom end.
Step 2: In a large pitcher, combine water, vinegar, and salt. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved to create your brine.
Step 3: Into four clean quart-sized glass jars, distribute the dill heads, garlic, peppercorns, and grape leaves evenly.
Step 4: Pack the cucumbers vertically into the jars as tightly as possible without bruising them.
Step 5: Pour the brine over the cucumbers, ensuring they are completely submerged and leaving 1/2 inch of headspace.
Step 6: Close the lids tightly and place the jars in a location that receives direct, consistent sunlight.
Step 7: Leave the jars in the sun for 2 to 4 days, turning them once a day. Once the brine is cloudy and the cucumbers turn olive green, move them to the refrigerator.

Notes

Always use filtered water to avoid chlorine affecting the fermentation. If it is exceptionally hot (above 95°F), check them after 2 days to prevent them from getting too soft.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 72 hours
  • Category: Main Dishes & Savory Recipes
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 spear
  • Calories: 5
  • Sugar: 0.5g
  • Sodium: 310mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 1g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 0.2g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg