Mustard Pickles Recipe

This family-favourite recipe, straight from a 1970s Prince Edward Island Women's Institute cookbook, transforms garden-fresh cucumbers into tangy, irresistible mustard pickles! Perfect alongside holiday feasts, hearty meat and potatoes, or as a zesty burger relish. These pickles are bursting with flavour and guaranteed to become a new family favourite.

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 86 mins
Calories 499.2 kcal
Protein 11g
Rating 4.2 (5 Reviews)
Mustard Pickles 11

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Mustard Pickles

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How to Make Mustard Pickles

  1. **Prepare the Vegetables:** Peel and cut the onions into medium-sized pieces. Peel the cucumbers, remove the seeds and centers, and cut into 1-inch pieces. If using young, firm cucumbers, you can leave the skin on. Cut the cauliflower into small florets and dice the red pepper.
  2. **Brine the Vegetables:** In a large bowl, combine the salt and water. Add the prepared vegetables, along with a pinch of alum (optional). Gently stir, ensuring all vegetables are submerged. Cover and let stand overnight in the refrigerator.
  3. **Drain and Rinse:** After soaking overnight, drain the vegetables thoroughly and rinse under cold water.
  4. **Make the Spice Bag:** Place the pickling spice in 3-4 layers of cheesecloth and tie it securely with string or kitchen twine.
  5. **Prepare the Pickling Sauce:** In a large saucepan, combine 3 cups of vinegar, 3 cups of sugar, and the spice bag. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, remove the spice bag and discard.
  6. **Thicken the Sauce:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining 3 cups of vinegar, 3 cups of sugar, flour, mustard powder, turmeric, and celery seed. Gradually whisk this mixture into the hot vinegar and sugar mixture in the saucepan.
  7. **Simmer the Pickles:** Continue stirring constantly with a whisk until the sauce has thickened to a desired consistency. Reduce heat to low, add the drained vegetables, and simmer gently for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
  8. **Canning (Optional):** While the mixture is still hot, carefully ladle the pickles into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Process in a boiling water bath according to your preferred canning method for safe storage. If not canning, allow to cool completely in jars before storing in the refrigerator.
  9. **Cool and Enjoy:** Let the pickles cool completely before storing in the refrigerator. Enjoy! These pickles will develop even more flavour over time.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

1 g

Sugar

377g

Fat

1g

Carbs

37g