Old family recipe for bread and butter pickles, my great grandmother passed this down and I still make them today.
This is one of my great grandmothers recipes and I know that someone in our family has been making this recipe since at least the 1930’s. Now here is the interesting part, no one has ever changed it, not even me and I usually change everything.
Some tips when making these pickles
Do not pare the cucumbers, leave the skins on
Do not use a salt with Iodine in it
Make sure the cucumber slices stay very cold during the resting period
Use a knife after filling the jars to remove air bubbles
Wipe clean the tops of the jars before putting on the lids
Process as directed
Bread and Butter Pickles
Author: Mary Ellen
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4 quarts
Old family recipe for bread and butter pickles
Ingredients
- 4 quarts sliced cucumbers
- 6 white medium onions peeled and cut in thin slices
- 1/3 C. coarse salt
- Syrup:
- 3 C. sugar
- 1 1/2 t. turmeric
- 1 1/2 t. celery seed
- 2 T. mustard seed
- 3 C. white vinegar
Instructions
- Do not pare cucumbers, just wash them and cut them in thin slices. I use a crock for these, while preparing. Mix cucumbers, onion and add salt. Cover with ice. Let set overnight. You may have to add more ice. You want them to stay very cold. When ready to prepare, rinse them very well.
- Combine syrup ingredients and bring to a boil. When sugar is dissolved, add cucumbers. Heat to boiling. Pack into hot, sterilized jars. Remove air bubbles. Process for 10 minutes in a hot water bath.
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When you say “rinse the cukes” does that mean the onions do NOT go into the jars?
@Gina, no the onions go in the jars also. You just want to wash the salt solution off of everything before adding it to the syrup solution. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Thanks! These are so good; I was eating them out of the pot LOL. is there a time frame that they need to shelve before opening and enjoying?
Not really, like you said they were good out of the pot. I would store them a few weeks before opening them. What about putting some in the fridge right away and not canning some?
Could you leave out the oninons? if so how would that affect the end product?
I guess you could, I’ve never tried it. The pickles do not have an onion taste, they are totally sweet when finished.
I am so going to try this. What altitude are you when you process in a water bath for 10 minutes? I’m at a higher elevation and will need to adjust my processing time accordingly.
Thanks!
Sorry, I am not sure how to high altitude can so I can’t advise you. I would google it and go to someone you can trust like Ball or Better Homes and Gardens.
I tried it and used squash and they turned out so good everyone loved them thank you so much.
Thanks Wanda, I never tried it with squash. If I get some extra I will try it.
I will try it!
How long do they last when sealed ?
What is the purpose of mixing with salt and letting sit?
Mary Ellen, Do you use cucumbers right out of the garden or can you use ones that’s been in refrigerator after picked from garden, just wanted to know if it matter.