7 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Making Pickles
Updated: Mar. 07, 2019Who doesn't love pickles? Here's how to avoid the most common mistakes when you're making them at home.
In a pickle?
Homemade pickles couldn’t be easier. A little prep work can yield you very tasty results. But if you’ve had a bad pickle—one that’s soggy, too vinegary, too sweet or too salty—you know it can be a total letdown. Let’s clear up some easy-to-make pickle mistakes to ensure every crunch tastes great. And if you haven’t tried pickling yet, check out our step-by-step guide.
Using table salt
Ditch the salt shaker and opt for canning salt (also known as pickling salt) when prepping the brine. Unlike the standard variety, canning salt does not contain iodine or anti-caking additives—which can cause discoloration and cloudiness. Canning salt also has a finer texture which allows it to dissolve quickly. If you don’t have canning salt, you can use the same amount of kosher or sea salt.
Pickling everything together
While you can definitely pickle different veggies, if you pickle veggies in the same jar, the colors and flavors will bleed together. Additionally, different veggies need different amounts of time to ferment. Keep them separate for the tastiest outcome. Find out the common mistakes you make while cooking chicken, too.
Using cucumbers that are too big
While big cucumbers are fantastic for big salads and snacking, quick pickling isn’t the time for the most overgrown cukes. Larger cucumber varieties contain more water, making it difficult for them to achieve that signature pickle crunch. Go for small, firm cucumbers at your local farmers market.
Boiling (or not boiling)
There are some veggies like zucchinis and cucumbers that don’t need boiling or advance prep work. However, some vegetables like carrots and okra do need about 3-4 minutes in simmering water so they maintain their desired crispness. Watch out for these common mistakes you make while cooking rice too.
Letting pickles sit for too short a time
Not all pickles will be ready in a few days, some need a little longer in the fridge to reach your desired level of flavor. Just don’t leave them in too long, that can cause them to absorb too much liquid and go limp.
Not measuring
When making your brine, make sure your measurements are fairly spot on, not only so you won’t end up with too much or too little liquid in the end, but so you have the right balance of water and vinegar. When it comes to adding spices, you can do a little more eyeballing and playing around with your pickling spice for striking the right balance of flavors you desire. Try this homemade pickling spice recipe.
You’re only pickling pickles!
Why limit yourself? You’ve probably had other pickled vegetables before, so why not try making them at home too? Try pickling sweet onions for your summer barbecues as a relish, pickled bell peppers for a crunchy and colorful addition to your dinner plate, or even garlic for a tasty sandwich topping. Next, watch out for these cooking mistakes you make that ruin your food.
