Horseradish Pickles, an easy homemade refrigerator pickle recipe with fresh cucumbers, dill, garlic, onion, and a bold horseradish vinegar brine. These crunchy overnight horseradish dill pickles have a zesty flavor and make the best snack, sandwich topping, burger addition, or fun gourmet condiment!
If you like pickles with a little extra flavor, these homemade Horseradish Pickles are the recipe you need in your fridge. They have that classic dill pickle taste you love, but with a delicious slight spicy kick from prepared horseradish.
Fresh cucumber slices are packed into a jar with dill, garlic, and onion, then covered with a quick homemade brine made from simple ingredients. No complicated canning is required, and after chilling overnight, you’ll have crisp, crunchy pickles made from scratch.
These pickles are great when you’re craving something with big flavor. Serve them with sandwiches, burgers, appetizers, or chop them into a bold homemade relish. They add the perfect zesty bite to so many foods.
What Makes Horseradish Pickles Different?
Horseradish Pickles take traditional dill pickles and add a bold, tangy twist. The prepared horseradish gives the cucumber slices a unique spicy flavor without using traditional hot peppers.
Unlike jalapeno or habanero pickles that rely mostly on pepper heat, horseradish adds a sharp and zesty taste that pairs perfectly with vinegar, dill, garlic, and onion. It creates a pickle that tastes like something you’d find at a gourmet deli or sandwich shop.
This easy refrigerator pickle recipe skips the traditional canning process. Just make a quick brine, pour it over the cucumbers, and let the refrigerator create that delicious crisp pickle texture.
What I Love About This Recipe
- These crunchy pickles can make simple meals taste gourmet. Add pickle chips to a burger, layer slices onto a hearty sandwich, or chop them into a homemade relish or dip. The crisp texture and bold horseradish flavor work with so many dishes. They’re one of those snacks you’ll want waiting in the refrigerator.
- These homemade Horseradish Pickles are packed with bold flavor but still incredibly simple to make. The combination of fresh dill, garlic, onion, and horseradish gives every cucumber slice a zesty kick. They have a classic pickle taste with something extra special. This is a great recipe when you want a pickle that stands out.
- I love that these refrigerator pickles are quick and made with everyday ingredients. You don’t need special canning supplies or a complicated process to make a fresh batch. Everything goes into a jar and chills overnight until the flavors come together. It’s an easy way to enjoy homemade pickles anytime.
- These pickles are perfect if you like a little spice without overwhelming heat. Add more horseradish for extra bite or keep the recipe as written for a balanced flavor. You can even add jalapeno, habanero, mustard seeds, or other spices for a different twist. Homemade pickles are fun because you can change the taste every time.
Equipment You May Need
- Mason Jar – Perfect for storing the cucumbers, dill, garlic, onion, and homemade brine.
- Small Saucepan – Used to heat the vinegar mixture and blend all the flavors.
- Sharp Knife or Mandoline – Helps cut thin cucumber slices, chips, or spears.
- Cutting Board – Great for prepping the fresh ingredients.
- Whisk – Helps combine the horseradish brine quickly and evenly.
(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)
Horseradish Pickles Ingredients
- Fresh Dill – Adds that classic dill pickle flavor and fresh taste.
- Garlic – Gives the pickles a savory flavor that pairs perfectly with horseradish.
- Onion – Adds extra flavor to the homemade pickle brine.
- Cucumbers – Small or mini cucumbers work best because they stay crisp and crunchy. Slice into chips or try spears if you prefer.
- Water – Helps create the base of the refrigerator pickle brine.
- White Distilled Vinegar – Gives these pickles their classic tangy taste.
- Prepared Horseradish – The special ingredient that adds a bold, spicy, zesty flavor. You can also try fresh grated horseradish. Unfortunately, the fresh horseradish never looks very fresh at my local grocery stores.
- Sugar – Adds a little sweetness and balances the vinegar and horseradish.
- Kosher Salt – Helps season the cucumbers and bring out their flavor.
- Black Pepper – Adds a simple touch of extra spice.
How to Make Horseradish Pickles
Step One: Prepare the Pickle Jar
Place fresh dill, garlic, and onion in a large mason jar. Add sliced cucumbers on top.
Step Two: Make the Horseradish Brine
Heat water, vinegar, horseradish, sugar, salt, and pepper in a saucepan until boiling. Pour over cucumbers, cool slightly, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)
Serving Suggestions
- Eat Horseradish Pickles straight from the jar when you need a crunchy snack.
- Add to sandwiches, wraps, and burgers for a bold flavor boost.
- Chop into a zesty homemade relish for hot dogs or grilled foods.
- Serve with dips, cheese boards, crackers, and party appetizers.
- Pair with steak, barbecue, roasted meats, or hearty meals.
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Use small fresh cucumbers for the best crispy pickle texture.
- Keep all cucumber slices completely covered with the brine.
- Add more or less horseradish depending on how spicy you like your pickles.
- Slice cucumbers evenly, so they absorb flavor at the same rate.
- Try mustard seeds, garlic, hot peppers (like jalapeno or habanero), or other spices for different variations.
- Store these pickles in the fridge since they are quick refrigerator pickles and not a traditional canning recipe.
Horseradish Pickles FAQ
How should I store Horseradish Pickles?
Store Horseradish Pickles in a covered mason jar or airtight glass container in the refrigerator. Keep the cucumbers covered with brine so they stay crisp and flavorful.
Can I freeze Horseradish Pickles?
I would not recommend freezing these pickles. The cucumber slices may lose their crunchy texture after freezing.
How long will Horseradish Pickles last?
These refrigerator pickles should last about 1-2 weeks when stored properly in the fridge.
Substitutions?
Instead of granulated sugar, you could use honey or your favorite sweetener. Instead of prepared horseradish, you can use fresh, grated horseradish.
Can I use low-fat ingredients?
These homemade pickles are naturally low-fat. Always check specific ingredient brands if needed.
What else can I add to this recipe?
Try adding mustard seeds, extra garlic, jalapeno, habanero, or your favorite spices. You can also cut the cucumbers into spears instead of slices.
Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.
Vegan – These pickles should be vegan, but check individual ingredients.
Vegetarian – It’s vegetarian. Be sure to check individual brands/products just to be sure though.
Low-Carb – You can try a sugar substitute for a lower-carb option.
Gluten-Free – These should be gluten-free, but check ingredient labels.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- Overnight Homemade Pickles – Classic dill overnight refrigerator pickles.
- Boom Sauce – Easy homemade burger and fry sauce.
- Pickled Jalapenos – Spicy homemade condiment that is great on sandwiches, burgers, and more.
Hope you enjoy these homemade Horseradish Pickles. Tell me in the comments if you like your pickles mild or with extra horseradish heat!
You may also like this Homemade Ranch Seasoning!
Horseradish Pickles
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh dill
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 Tablespoons onion chopped
- 1 1/2 cup thinly sliced small cucumbers (about 3 small cucumbers)
- 3/4 cup water
- 6 Tablespoons white distilled vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- dash black pepper
Instructions
- Place dill, garlic, and onion in a large mason jar. Place sliced cucumbers on top.
- Meanwhile, place the water, vinegar, horseradish, sugar, salt, and pepper in small saucepan over high heat. Whisk until mixture comes to a boil. Pour hot liquid over cucumbers. Cool slightly, then place top on jar and refrigerate overnight.
Notes
- We had better luck with small cucumbers rather than larger ones.
- Make sure your cucumbers are completely covered with the liquid.
- You can add more/less horseradish for more/less spiciness.
- Instead of granulated sugar, you could use honey or your favorite sweetener.
- Instead of prepared horseradish, you can use fresh, grated horseradish.
- Instead of a large mason jar, you could use another large container, although I would suggest not using plastic.
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
About Lisa Huff
Lisa Huff is a Cookbook Author, Freelance Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Blogger/Writer, and award-winning home chef. She loves creating unique recipes from healthy to decadent including cocktails, appetizers, main dishes, dessert recipes and more and has appeared on various shows, publications, and websites.
