Nana Mae's Garlic Dill Pickles Recipe

These aren't your grandma's pickles (unless your grandma is Nana Mae!). A legendary family recipe, Nana Mae's Garlic Dill Pickles are famously crunchy and require NO water bath canning! Made with a simple brine and fermented over time, these pickles develop an incredible flavor that gets better with age. Imagine perfectly crisp cucumber spears, bursting with the bright taste of dill and garlic – a taste that will transport you straight to Thanksgiving. Follow Nana Mae's original instructions carefully, and get ready for a pickle so good, it'll have you wondering if it's magic! (Don't worry, it's just Nana Mae's secret recipe!) Remember: A clear brine is a safe brine. Discard if cloudy before opening.

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 60 mins

Calories 249.5 kcal

Protein 17g

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The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Nana Mae's Garlic Dill Pickles

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How to Make Nana Mae's Garlic Dill Pickles

In a large saucepan, bring 5 cups of water, 2 cups white vinegar, and 1/2 cup pickling salt to a rolling boil. Stir until salt is completely dissolved.
Wash and trim 2 pounds pickling cucumbers. Cut into spears, about 2-3 inches long.
Pack the cucumber spears tightly into five clean, hot 1-quart canning jars. (Oven-heating the jars for 10-15 minutes at 200°F is helpful to prevent cracking).
Add 1-3 cloves of garlic and 2-3 dill flower heads to each jar.
Carefully pour the boiling brine over the cucumbers, leaving about 1/2 inch headspace at the top of each jar.
Secure lids tightly onto jars. Let cool completely.
Store on a cool, dark shelf for at least 4 weeks (preferably longer!), before opening. Do not refrigerate until opened.
Check the brine regularly. Discard if it becomes cloudy before opening.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

583 g

Sugar

87g

Fat

Carbs

16g

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60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Preparation Occasion Condiments Etc Easy Seasonal

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Nana Mae's Garlic Dill Pickles?

Nana Mae's Garlic Dill Pickles takes about 90 minutes from start to finish — roughly 30 minutes to prepare and 60 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Nana Mae's Garlic Dill Pickles?

Nana Mae's Garlic Dill Pickles has approximately 249.5 calories per serving, with about 17 g protein, 16 g carbohydrates and 2 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Nana Mae's Garlic Dill Pickles?

The key ingredients for Nana Mae's Garlic Dill Pickles are White Vinegar, Water, Kosher Salt, Garlic Cloves, Dill Flowers, Cucumbers. See the full list with measurements above.