Bread and Butter Pickles
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!

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Keep going until all your jars are full.

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 headspace. 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. 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?
- Refrigerator Pickles
- Dill Pickle Relish
- Homemade Sweet Pickle Relish
- Pickled Red Onions
- Quick Sauerkraut
- Fried Pickles
- Pickled Banana Peppers
- Chow Chow
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Vinegar Cucumber Salad
- Pickles in a Blanket
- Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Bread and Butter Pickles
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
Nutrition
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.






I also like Ball Canning on FB. We used their jars filled with my grandmother's applesause as favors at my wedding. Pooh_7902@yahoo.coom
I want to start canning so I can give my son fruits that are out of season. Thanks! Pooh_7902@yahoo.com
My husband is a huge pickle eater! I want to start canning my own pickles it would save money and we culd try different flavors as well.thanks for the chance to win.
Amanda C
Amandacuevas19@yahoo.com
I love this so much that I now I have two of these little kits…I can my own pear butter my own recipe and I just canned 7 jars of sweet pickles for me and I will next try some dill pics for my husband…love it love it and love the ball canning products…just bought some additional jars and have 5 boxes of lids ready for more canning to begin. Pick me please…I love the little promotion and products, digabbard@att.net
I am a facebook fan of Ball and love all their products I have used. Thanks for the chance to enter.
Andrea D.
short74717@msn.com
I would like to can raspberry jam. I also would like to can some pickles for my family. I would love to win this. Thanks for the chance to enter.
Andrea D.
short74717@msn.com
I would love this giveaway! Please pick me.
woodyssis@gmail.com
I would like to start canning. I guess to start with cucumbers would be what I would start with and then on to tomatoes.
Becky
cookiebecky@msn.com
I've always wanted to learn how to can. Thanks for a great tutorial and a great giveaway!
I "FOLLOW" Ball Canning on Twitter as @iluvstbernards
I LIKE Ball on FB.
I "LIKE" Ball Canning on Facebook
Pickles and apple butter!
I usually just can tomatoes, since that is mainly what i grow in the garden – i would like to try fruits
I forgot to leave my email 🙁
ladydy911@cableone.net
I have never canned before but am dying to try!! I want to can lots of summer veggies for soups in the fall and winter.
I "liked" Ball Canning on Facebook. Never thought to do that but glad I did.
Oh, this would be perfect for my new daughter-in-law. She wants to can this year ( her first time as a wife) but is a little intimidated by the whole process. I'm away and not able to help her. I would love to win this for her. Thanks! Liked Ball on Facebook!!!
I have already made a couple batches of blackberry jam this year. Looking forward to canning other jams/jellies and pickles.
I liked Ball Canning on FB.
km-61@hotmail.com
I have been canning for a couple of years and usually just do tomatoes and fruit but I love bread and butter pickles and it looks easy so I will give it a try. I got a pressure canner for my birthday so I will be trying all sorts of different things. I am thinking pickled beets. BTW those measuring spoons are stinkin' cute.
I liked Ball Canning
I follow Ball on Twitter @365daysofbaking.
I like Ball on FB.
"Liked" Ball on Facebook!!!
I love making homemade jams & jellies. And my daughter makes homemade salsa. We would love to learn how to make pickles and start canning fresh vegetables and maybe even homemade tomato sauce & spaghetti sauce.
My Maw maw used to can everything when I was a kid & I loved eating it. I canned strawberry preserves once for a homemaking project & they turned out real good. I would love to can some other kind of preserves or jelly.
opps my email is FallColors63@gmail.com
Green tomato relish. And have wonderful memories of my mom & grandmas! Lots of love & memories made in the kitchen! summs3@live.com
Following Ball on Twitter as well now!!
Followed Ball on Facebook!!
I would love to pick up this pack and pickle a few peppers – or can a few cucumbers – or preserve a few peaches – or, you get the idea! 🙂
I haven't canned since I was young and was "forced" to help my mom can the enourmous amounts of produce their garden gave us. I would like to try a few things on my own and now appreciate all that goodness we had all through the winter. Tomatoes maybe??
My favorite thing to can is jelly!
I "Like" Ball Canning on Facebook! (Becky Jordan-Tracey)
I follow Ball Canning on Twitter! (@tissaboo)
I liked ball canning on facebook. coodym@bellsouth.net
I just canned pickeled watermelon rind a few days ago because I have never tried them. I love canning… coodym@bellsouth.net
Love to can and would love to win this kit!
Liked Ball on Facebook – and like their products in real life!
I am relatively new to canning. A friend started me out last fall with super easy applebutter and now I am a jam making fool. Just took a class on preaaure canning and now can't wait to put up more of my garden!!!!
I started canning again a couple years ago, and I love love it! This would be such a help!
Shorthairshai@hotmail.com
I have liked Ball on facebook for a loooong time 🙂
Shorthairshai@hotmail.com
I haven't canned in years. Reading your blog has inspired me to start again. Family of five kids, and a very hungry husband, this is a great way to save some money. Thank you.
I've canned for years, though not so much now since it's just my husband and me.
Twittered
Mayneeb@hotmail.com
i just liked Ball canning & Recipes on FB! Didn't think to see if they were on there before now.
Are Hall
hallenterprizes@msn.com
Ooopppps my email is mayneeb@hotmail.com
We try to can something new every year. Chicken, pickles, fruit, beans last year was a jam year…lots of fun new flavors! My kids love to help.
I would like to win this kit because, first of all, I am a pickle fanatic, and there's nothing better than home made pickles! Secondly, I am trying to start eating better for my health's sake, and I am going to make my first-ever attempt at raising a (small) garden this year. I would LOVE to try my hand at pickling and preserving my harvest!
I liked Ball canning on FB
Erin
eparker@arkwest.com