Bread and butter pickles is a really popular treat in American kitchens, known for its mix of sweet and tangy flavors. Folks often throw them on sandwiches, salads, or burgers to add a crunchy pop that wakes up your taste buds. Even some chefs who usually cook fancy plates can’t resist how these pickles bring a simple, homey feel to their meals.
The story goes that bread and butter pickles started back in the early 1900s when a couple from Sandwich, Illinois—O.M. and Cora Harvey—were looking for a way to save up extra cucumbers from their garden during the Great Depression. Since sugar was still pretty cheap then, they added it to the vinegar brine and soon people couldnt stop talking about these pickles. Over time, the recipe changed a bit here and there but it’s still mostly like how they first made it.
Nowadays, bread and butter pickles are more than just a condiment, they’re kinda like a symbol of family dinners and warm kitchens. More folks are even trying to make them at home again, so this sweet-tangy pickle is hanging around American tables for awhile yet.
What are Bread and Butter Pickles?
Bread and butter pickles are a type of sweet pickle that balances sugar and vinegar to make a unique taste, unlike dill pickles wich are mostly sour. They’re made by soaking sliced cucumbers and onions in a brine that has sugar, vinegar, and spices. That combo gives them their familiar sweet-and-tangy flavor and a good crunch.
Usually cucumbers are cut into thin rounds or spears so they stay firm. Onions add flavor and a bit of color to the jar. You can eat them on burgers or sandwiches to cut down the fattiness of the meat, toss them in potato salad, or just munch them straight from the jar.
History of Bread and Butter Pickles
People say bread and butter pickles was invented by O.M. and Cora Harvey in Sandwich, Illinois around the Great Depression. They used sugar that was easy to get back then to keep their garden’s extra veggies from going bad. The name supposedly comes from eating the pickles with plain bread and butter, a cheap but tasty snack for families.
Through the decades, regional cooks have added little tweaks—some use more spices or different kinds of onions—but the main idea is the same. In Southern cooking you’ll often see this pickle served with BBQ or fried chicken. It’s kinda like a nod to the past when folks had to make do with simple ingredients.
Now bread and butter pickles pop up everywhere, store shelves or homemade jars. They remind people of grandma’s kitchen or summer canning days in the backyard. And as home preserving gets more popular again, these pickles are making a big comeback.
Ingredients for Bread and Butter Pickles
To make good bread and butter pickles you need fresh cucumbers—either slicing ones or small pickling cukes that are firm and have few seeds. Besides that, here’s what you’ll usually use:
- Onions: Sweet onions work best, they dont overpower the taste.
- Vinegar: White vinegar is common, it gives the tang and helps preserve.
- Sugar: A lot of granulated sugar makes these pickles sweet.
- Spices: Mustard seeds, turmeric, celery seeds, and a bit of salt are usual, but you can tweak it.
If you pick good cucumbers and quality spices, your pickles will taste way better than the cheap store brands.
How to Make Bread and Butter Pickles
Ingredients
- 2–3 large cucumbers
- 1 medium sweet onion
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1 teaspoon salt
Directions
- Wash and slice the cucumbers into rounds or spears, then thinly slice the onion.
- In a pot, mix vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, turmeric, celery seeds, and salt. Stir so sugar starts to dissolve.
- Warm the brine over medium heat until it barely simmers and all sugar is gone.
- Take it off the heat and pour the hot brine over cucumbers and onions in jars, so everything is covered.
- Pack veggies tight, leave some headroom, and seal the jars.
- If you want shelf-stable pickles, process jars in a water bath canner following your canner’s instrucions.
- Store in a cool, dark spot and wait at least 24 hours before eating for best taste.
Tips for Best Results
- Pick firm, blemish-free cucumbers.
- Try adding or swapping spices to match your taste.
- Once opened keep jars in the fridge; they should stay good for weeks.
Variations of Bread and Butter Pickles
You can tweak bread and butter pickles lots of ways. Here’s some popular ideas:
- Sweet vs. Spicy: Add jalapeño slices or red pepper flakes for heat.
- Garlic Infusion: Drop in whole garlic cloves to give a bold garlic taste.
- Dilly Bread and Butter: Throw in fresh dill or dill seeds for that herby smell.
Mixing up spices and veggies means you can customize pickles for your meals or just your personal craving.
Serving Suggestions
Bread and butter pickles go great on tons of dishes, here’s few ideas:
- Sandwiches & Burgers: They cut the grease of pulled pork, brisket, or turkey.
- Salads: Chop them up in potato salad, coleslaw, or green salads.
- Relishes & Sauces: Blend pickles into relishes or sauces to top hot dogs or grilled meats.
These pickles bring a bright crunch and sweet-tangy snap that livens up any meal.
Nutritional Information
Besides flavor, bread and butter pickles can add some good stuff to your diet:
- Cucumbers: Low in calories (around 30–50 per serving) and high in water content.
- Benefits: Cucumbers have vitamins K and C, plus spices like turmeric may lower inflammation.
- Watch Sugar: They’re sweet, so watch how much you eat if you’re counting sugar.
Adding these pickles to your meals gives flavor plus some nutrients from all-natural ingredients.
FAQs About Bread and Butter Pickles
What are the main ingredients in bread and butter pickles?
The basic ingredients are cucumbers, onions, vinegar, sugar, and spices like mustard seeds and turmeric.
How long do bread and butter pickles last?
If canned correctly they can keep on a shelf up to a year. After opening, store in the fridge and eat within a few weeks.
Can you make bread and butter pickles without sugar?
You can try honey or artificial sweeteners, but sugar is what gives the classic sweet-tangy taste.
What’s the difference between dill pickles and bread and butter pickles?
Dill pickles are mostly sour and seasoned with dill weed, while bread and butter pickles are sweet thanks to sugar and usually have a mix of spices.
How should I store bread and butter pickles?
Keep unopened jars in a cool, dark place. After opening, they need to stay in the fridge to keep fresh.
Bread and Butter Pickles
Equipment
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 colander
- 1 medium saucepan
- 1 measuring cups and spoons
- 4 sterilized glass jars with lids
- 1 wooden spoon or spatula
- 1 canning funnel (optional)
Ingredients
- 4 cups thinly sliced cucumbers
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Place the sliced cucumbers and onions in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle salt over them, toss to coat, and let them sit for about 1 hour to draw out excess moisture.
- After the hour, drain the cucumbers and onions in a colander and rinse them under cold water. Shake off excess water and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, ground turmeric, and red pepper flakes (if using). Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
- Once boiling, add the drained cucumbers and onions to the saucepan. Stir well to combine and return to a gentle boil. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly. Using a canning funnel (if available), spoon the pickles into sterilized glass jars, leaving about ½ inch of headspace at the top.
- Seal the jars with their lids and allow them to cool to room temperature. Then, refrigerate the jars for at least 24 hours before using to let the flavors meld together.
- Enjoy your homemade Bread and Butter Pickles on sandwiches, burgers, or as a tangy snack!
