Bread and Butter Pickles

ByBrandie Skibinski July 9, 2012August 17, 2025

2 Reviews

This recipe for Bread and Butter pickles require just a handful of ingredients, a couple tips and you’ll have delicious pickles in no time!

A SIMPLY DELICIOUS PICKLE RECIPE

Bread and butter pickles are a little sweet and a little sour. A delicious combination that makes them the perfect snack pickles!

cucumbers soaking in bread and butter brine.

BREAD AND BUTTER PICKLE MIX

So let me show you how simple this is. I’m making my favorite Bread and Butter Pickles. I make these a lot. And I’m gonna show you my little secret. This stuff right here; Ball’s Bread & Butter Pickle Mix. You don’t have to go out and buy all the individual spices and pickling salt. It is all right in this little container and it makes it so easy and it tastes great! You measure once – then you’re done.

Ball Canning Bread and Butter pickle seasoning.

TIPS FOR MAKING THESE PICKLES:

Many recipes for these will have you sprinkling the fresh cucumbers with salt and then letting it soak overnight to pull a lot of the liquid out of the cucumbers. If you prefer to do that, feel free, but I prefer not to do that because I think it takes away from the crispiness of the pickle. I like a good crunch with these!
If you can’t find the Ball Bread & Butter Pickle Mix, just make your own:
- 2 Tablespoons mustard seed
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 2 teaspoons celery seed
- 2 teaspoons black peppercorns

Easy Homemade Bread and Butter Pickles recipe.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

pickling cucumbers
white vinegar
granulated sugar
Ball Bread & Butter Pickle Mix
canning jars (pint-sized) and lids with bands

cucumbers, vinegar, bread and butter seasoning, sugar.

HOW TO MAKE BREAD AND BUTTER PICKLES:

The first thing you need to do is wash your jars and lids in warm soapy water.

And then give them a good, thorough rinse.

If you haven’t done so already, slice up your cucumbers. I’m using pickling cucumbers. They are a little smaller than average. But you can use regular ole cucumbers for this. Pickling cucumbers are usually smaller than your average salad cucumber. They are firmer and crisper and have a tender skin that is less bitter. They are unwaxed so the brine can penetrate the skin better. First thing you want to do is give them a good rinse under running water. Then trim off the ends and discard those.

Slice them up into 1/4-inch slices.

quarter inch cucumber slices with ridges.

I think Bread & Butter slices should be kinda thick. That’s how I like them. I also use this Crinkle Cutter that I got last year when I hosted a Pampered Chef party. It is not necessary at all. I just love those little ridges it makes when you slice the cucumbers.

Now pack all those cucumbers into the pint jars. Not sure if you can tell from the below picture, but I try to stand the bottom layer of cucumbers on their side instead of flat. I think this helps to pack more in. But go with what works easiest for you.

layered cucumbers in the bottom of a mason jar.

Keep going until all your jars are full.

mason jars filled with sliced cucumbers.

In a stainless steel saucepan, combine vinegar, sugar and bread & butter pickle mix.

Whisk to combine.

bread and butter seasoning mixed with vinegar

And bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

bread and butter seasoning mix, vinegar and sugar in a saucepan

Turn off heat and begin pouring hot brine over packed cucumbers.

pickling brine poured over sliced cucumbers in mason jars

The hot brine will start to soften the cucumbers.

After it cools a bit, you’ll be able to push down some with your fingers to make sure all the cucumbers are immersed in the brine (using super clean fingers, of course.)

bread and butter pickles in canning jars

They will continue to settle as the brine does it’s job. You just want to make sure you leave about 1/2-inch headspace. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth or paper towel.

wiping the rim of a mason jar with a towel

Center the lids on the jars.

Screw bands on until tight. Now, at this point, you really could just allow them to cool, then store in the fridge for up to 3 months. But if you want to preserve them, you gotta make sure there’s not gonna be any harmful bacteria that can grow while they are hanging out in your pantry for the next few months. So you gotta boil the jars for a few minutes.

Bring water to gentle boil in a large stock pot. There needs to be enough water to cover the jars completely. Put your 3 jars into this handy dandy canning rack.

Then gently lower rack into boiling water.

Then cover with a lid.

Boil for 10 minutes. Remove lid. Wait 5 minutes. Then gently lift out jars. Allow them to cool. Then store.

You may hear the lids begin to make a popping sound as the jars cool and the lids seal. And that’s it! We just made pickles. These pickles will stay good in my pantry for up to a year. I’m definitely going to make more as I get more pickling cucumbers from my garden.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Bread and Butter Pickles

This recipe for Bread and Butter pickles are incredibly easy. Just a handful of ingredients, a couple tips and you’ll have delicious pickles in no time!

2 Reviews

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 30

Total Time: 30

Servings:

Author: Brandie Skibinski

Ingredients

▢ 6 cups sliced cucumbers, trim off ends
▢ 1 ¾ cups white vinegar
▢ 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
▢ 3 Tablespoons Ball Bread & Butter Pickle Mix
▢ 3 pint-sized canning jars and lids with bands

Instructions

The first thing you need to do is wash your jars and lids in warm soapy water. And then give them a good, thorough rinse.
Slice cucumbers into 1/4-inch slices and pack them into the jars.
In a stainless steel saucepan, combine vinegar, sugar and bread & butter pickle mix.
Whisk to combine and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Turn off heat and begin pouring hot brine over packed cucumbers. The hot brine will start to soften the cucumbers.
After it cools a bit, you’ll be able to push down some with your fingers to make sure all the cucumbers are immersed in the brine (using super clean fingers, of course.)
They will continue to settle as the brine does it’s job.
You just want to make sure you leave about 1/2-inch head space.
Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Center the lids on the jars. Screw bands on until tight.
Now, at this point, you really could just allow them to cool, then store in the fridge for up to 3 months.
But if you want to preserve them, you gotta make sure there’s not gonna be any harmful bacteria that can grow while they are hanging out in your pantry for the next few months. So you gotta boil the jars for a few minutes.
Bring water to gentle boil in a large stock pot. There needs to be enough water to cover the jars completely.
Gently lower jars into boiling water using a canning rack or if you have those special rubber-tipped tongs used for canning. Then cover with a lid.
Boil jars for 10 minutes. Remove lid. Wait 5 minutes.
Then gently lift out jars. Allow them to cool. Then store.

Notes

These pickles will stay good in your pantry for up to a year if you properly can them.
Many recipes for these will have you sprinkling the fresh cucumbers with salt and then letting it soak overnight to pull a lot of the liquid out of the cucumbers. If you prefer to do that, feel free, but I prefer not to do that because I think it takes away from the crispiness of the pickle. I like a good crunch.
If you can’t find the Ball Bread & Butter Pickle Mix, just make your own:
- 2 Tablespoons mustard seed
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 2 teaspoons celery seed
- 2 teaspoons black peppercorns

Course: Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Sodium: 3mg | Sugar: 21g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @thecountrycook and mention us #thecountrycook!

511 Comments

Following Ball on twitter.
cottageprims@hotmail.com

Please enter me. Thanks

Erin
eparker@arkwest.com

I tried canning last year for the first time.Plan to do more this year.Would love a chance.Warm Blessings!~Amy
cottageprims@hotmail.com

I will be knee deep in blackberries very soon and would love to know how to can blackberry jam.

Used to can pickles, jelly, peaches & pears, tomato/pizza/spaghetti sauce. gave all my canning stuff away, now we want to grow & can again, stuff from the store isn't as good and way too expensive.
Are Hall
hallenterprizes@msn.com

I have liked ball canning on facebook for awhile now. lots of fun stuff on there

This is such an awesome giveaway! I had no idea it was this easy. I would definitely can Bread & Butter pickles. Seeing this post brings me back to when I was a little girl watching my grandmother do it. Those things were absolutely delicious!!

I FB like Ball

I can hot pepper jelly, strawberry jelly, and other jams!

I've been thinking of canning (With all the fresh produce from our garden!) but haven't known where to start! Would love tow in that starter kit to get going. (I was totally thinking of doing pickles as we have a ton of cucumbers growing!
-Lisa
Auger.lisa@gmail.com

I am following ball on twitter… 🙂 I really really want this kit 🙂

<3 Mary

ok so for some reason I have tried 4 times to post about my canning and i am a technical goof I guess…. I am going to try this ONE more time and if it doesnt workthen that means need to go buy my own super cute daisy apron. lol 🙂
I have only ever canned salsa from my tomato jungle the my husband and brother in laws grew for me one year, but I really want to try pickles. I am going to try my hand at fried pickles this weekend so if I can get the recipe right, I'd LOVE to have an onhand supply of pickles to fry 🙂

maryelizabethosorio@gmail.com is how you can reach me:)

I would love to start canning, what a cool gift set!

What an awesome kit. I love the simplicity and the fact that you don't have to burn your hands in the hot water or get splashed by hot water.

Liked Ball on Facebook!

I liked ball canning on fb 🙂
maryelizabethosorio@gmail.com

I haven't canned in several years, but want to try salsa,
Love that rack!

Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Like your page, shared the link
already liked Ball canning!
Thanks

I already can but do not have one of these baskets. That would be so nice! We started canning 3 years ago. We make and sell jellies, jams and hot sauces. We grow our own produce and are learning something new each year. I like your page on facebook and Ball canning already. I shared your link as well.

I am just getting in to canning. Canned tomato sauce and diced tomatoes last year and hoping to do more this year.

Such a cute giveaway too!!

I liked Ball Canning on Facebook and following on Twitter. Email is natalieham@hotmail.com.

Thanks!!

I like Ball Canning on Facebook.

martinsinva@gmail.com

Thanks for this fun chance to win. I would love to can some jams and jelly. My mother used to can the absolute best bread and butter pickles when I was a young child.

Liked Ball Canning on FB!

OMG I would love to start canning! I ventured trying it a few months ago with strawberry jam, LOVED IT!!! But like you I was afraid to try more for fear of doing it wrong!!! My father just built me a huge pantry and I would love to get started making spaghetti sauces, pickles, corn, etc, all while using Jersey Fresh produce!!!
My email is jerseygirl767@comcast.net I also "LIKED" Ball on Facebook. Thank you!!

I would love to start canning. Don't have much time, but still have always wanted to learn.
Thanks for this opportunity!

I "liked" Ball on FB!
Thanks!
Amy };o)

I "Like" Ball Canning on Facebook ..anglswhpr224@gmail.com

Hi There! Happy Monday! I am a newbie to gardening & canning. Canning looks like it's fun & I am wanting to give it a try. I hope I win this GREAT contest! Have a GREAT day, everyone!

I liked ball canning on facebook.

I also liked Ball Canning on FB 🙂

I would love to win this. I'm interested in canning, but don't have a clue where to start. This would help out a lot!

i also liked ball canning on facebook. crwc@hotmail.com

i like how you explained how to can the pickles. i would like to win this gift set. i would like to give canning a try. my email is crwc@hotmail.com

I love to can!

Bread & butter pickles are practically a supper time staple in Atlantic Canada, where I'm originally from. I'm sorry to say though that here in England, pickles are notoriously hard to get. I'm just going to have to scour the Net for a pickling kit like the one you show and make my own!

I'm new to your blog, having found you via Pinterest. And glad to have done so too!

Ali

I'm now following Ball on twitter!

I "liked" Ball on Facebook!

I'm planning on canning tomatoes for the first time. I've been making jellies & fruit butters for several years now, and didn't think about tomatoes being a fruit, thus, they can be water-bath canned. (I don't have a pressure canner I'm afraid of them, anyway! lol) I love that silicon jar rack! Way cooler than my old, rusty rack! 🙂

I LIKED Ball Canning on Facebook! ♥

tews (at) satx (dot) rr (dot) com

I love canning. I can most of our garden bounty and love to can pinto and black beans. Much cheaper than store.

Now that I have retired from the work force I have taken up hobbies that I have for years wanted to do. On the top has been learning to can and preserve. I have made strawberry jam so far. 🙂

Following Ball on Facebook

Cookingfromasahm@gmail.com

I made pickles a couple of years ago and would like to try them again! After looking at your beautiful pictures, I want some now! Saturday, July 14th just happens to be my 50th Birthday! I would be pickled to win! Thank you for this wonderful opportunity! ♥

tews (at) satx (dot) rr (dot) com

Would love to can some pepperocinis and need a good recipe. I liked you on Facebook.

This is great… even at my age I think about trying, but too intimidated… I canned briefly in High School Home Ec class. I would love to try Pickles!!!!!!!!!! especially the sweet chunk pickles my aunt used to make… and sorry for deleting previous comment, forgot my email…. anglswhspr224@gmail.com

My mom always canned everything when I was little, as an adult, I do waterbath. Last year I made pickles. I plan to can pizza sauce and pickles this year. I can't wait.

cookingfromasahm@gmail.com

Also "liked" Ball Canning on FB!

Great giveaway…I'm growing cucumbers and tomatoes in raised beds this year and I think I'll try making these pickles! Love the measuring spoons and apron, too!