Sweet & Spicy Pickles, an easy homemade refrigerator pickle recipe with fresh cucumbers, dill, garlic, onion, and a sweet and spicy vinegar brine. These crunchy overnight pickles have the best bold flavor with just the right amount of heat and are perfect for burgers, sandwiches, snacks, and more!
If you love pickles with a little boldness, these Sweet & Spicy Pickles are the perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and hot. Fresh cucumber slices are layered in a jar with dill, garlic, and onion, then covered with a simple homemade brine full of flavor.
No complicated canning needed for this quick refrigerator recipe! These pickles chill in the fridge overnight and turn into a crisp and crunchy snack or condiment that tastes like something from a gourmet pickle shop or like Famous Dave’s or Grillo’s.
The best part about these pickles is that you can easily adjust the spice level. Add more red pepper flakes, jalapeno slices, or your favorite hot peppers if you’re craving extra heat, or keep them mild for everyday eating.
What are Sweet & Spicy Pickles?
Sweet & Spicy Pickles are homemade pickles that combine a sweet vinegar brine with spicy ingredients for a balance of flavors. The sugar adds sweetness while red pepper flakes, jalapeno, or other peppers add the bold spicy kick.
Unlike traditional canning recipes, these refrigerator pickles are quick and easy. The fresh cucumbers, dill, garlic, and spices soak in the brine inside a jar in the refrigerator until they absorb all that delicious flavor.
You can make them with cucumber slices, chips, or even small pickle spears, depending on how you want to serve them. They’re great to eat right out of the jar or use anywhere you want a sweet, spicy, crunchy bite.
What I Love About This Recipe
- They’re perfect for so many different meals and snacks. Add them to a sandwich, burger, pulled pork, wraps, or chop them into a spicy pickle relish. The crispy texture and bold sweet heat can make simple meals taste gourmet. Keep a jar in the refrigerator for whenever you need a quick topping.
- These homemade Sweet & Spicy Pickles have the best combination of flavors in every bite. They’re a combination of my popular Refrigerator Sweet Pickles and Refrigerator Spicy Pickles, but all in one. You get the classic fresh dill pickle taste from the dill and garlic along with sweetness from the sugar and a little heat from the red pepper flakes. The balance makes them different from regular pickles. They’re great when you’re craving something crunchy with a bold flavor.
- I love that this is such an easy refrigerator pickle recipe with simple ingredients. There’s no special canning process or equipment needed, just a jar, fresh cucumbers, and a quick homemade brine. The fridge does most of the work while the flavors develop overnight. It’s a fast way to make delicious pickles at home.
- These pickles are easy to customize depending on how spicy you like things. Add jalapeno slices, extra red pepper flakes, hot peppers, or your favorite spices for even more heat. You can also keep them sweeter if you prefer less spice. Homemade pickles are great because you can adjust the taste.
Equipment You May Need
- Mason Jar – A large glass jar is perfect for holding the cucumbers, dill, garlic, onion, and brine.
- Small Saucepan – Needed to heat the vinegar mixture and dissolve the sugar and salt.
- Sharp Knife or Mandoline – Helps cut thin cucumber slices, chips, or spears.
- Cutting Board – Makes preparing the fresh vegetables quick and easy.
- Whisk – Great for combining the homemade sweet and spicy brine ingredients.
(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)
Sweet & Spicy Pickles Ingredients
- Fresh Dill – Gives these pickles their classic dill pickle flavor and freshness.
- Garlic – Adds a bold savory taste that pairs perfectly with the sweet and spicy brine.
- Onion – A little chopped onion adds extra flavor throughout the jar.
- Cucumbers – Small or mini cucumbers work best because they stay crisp and crunchy. Slice into thin chips or make spears if preferred.
- Water – Helps create the base of the homemade pickle brine.
- White Distilled Vinegar – Adds the tangy pickle flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Sugar – Gives these pickles their sweet flavor and balances the heat.
- Red Pepper Flakes – Adds spice and a little kick. Add more or less depending on how hot you like your pickles. Or add some of your favorite peppers.
- Kosher Salt – Seasons the cucumbers and enhances the overall flavor.
- Black Pepper – Adds just a little extra spice.
How to Make Sweet & Spicy Pickles
Step One: Prepare the Pickle Jar
Place fresh dill, garlic, and onion in a large mason jar. Add the sliced cucumbers on top.
Step Two: Make the Sweet and Spicy Brine
Heat water, vinegar, sugar, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a small 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 Sweet & Spicy Pickles straight from the jar for a crunchy snack.
- Add pickle chips to burgers, sandwiches, wraps, or sliders.
- Serve with grilled meats, pulled pork, chicken, or barbecue dishes.
- Chop into a homemade spicy pickle relish for hot dogs or burgers.
- Add to appetizer trays with cheese, crackers, and other snacks.
- Use the sweet and spicy flavor to add a gourmet touch to simple meals.
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Use small, thin cucumbers for the best crisp texture.
- Make sure all cucumber slices are completely covered with the brine.
- Slice cucumbers evenly so they absorb the vinegar mixture at the same rate.
- Add extra red pepper flakes, jalapeno, or hot peppers for more spice.
- Use less red pepper if you want more sweet flavor and less heat.
- Store these pickles in the refrigerator since they are quick pickles and not a traditional canning recipe.
Sweet & Spicy Pickles FAQ
How should I store Sweet & Spicy Pickles?
Store Sweet & Spicy Pickles in a covered mason jar or airtight glass container in the refrigerator. Keep the cucumbers covered in the brine for the best flavor and crisp texture.
Can I freeze the Sweet & Spicy Pickles?
I would not recommend freezing these pickles. The cucumbers can become soft and lose their crunchy texture.
How long will Sweet & Spicy 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 red pepper flakes, use jalapeno slices, hot peppers, or your favorite spicy ingredients.
Can I use low-fat ingredients?
These pickles are already naturally low-fat. Be sure to check individual ingredient brands if needed.
What else can I add to this recipe?
Try adding jalapeno, different peppers, mustard seeds, extra garlic, or other favorite spices. You can also cut the cucumbers into whole spears instead of slices or chips.
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 always check specific brands.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- Spicy Freezer Salsa – Easy homemade salsa with lots of spice!
- Sweet & Spicy Root Beer BBQ Sauce – A sweet and spicy homemade BBQ sauce.
- Spicy Alfredo – A spicy twist on the Italian pasta Alfredo.
Hope you enjoy this easy Sweet & Spicy Pickles recipe. Tell me in the comments if you like your pickles mild or extra hot!
If you like these Sweet & Spicy Pickles, you may also like these Ranch Refrigerator Pickles!
Sweet & Spicy 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)
- 1/4 cup water
- 6 Tablespoons white distilled vinegar
- 6 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 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, sugar, red pepper flakes, 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 red pepper flakes for more/less spiciness.
- Instead of granulated sugar, you could use honey or your favorite sweetener.
- Instead of red pepper flakes, you can use your favorite pepper(s).
- 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.
