Quick and Easy Dill Pickle Chips for Hamburgers and Sandwiches
Unraveling the mysteries of home cooking through science.
- Yield:Makes about 1 1/2 pints of pickle chips (enough for a dozen hamburgers)
- Active time:5 minutes
- Total time:35 minutes
- Rated:
[Photograph and video: J. Kenji López-Alt]
These quick and easy pickles are a snap to make and will have better crunch and brighter flavor than any store-bought pickle you'll find. They're perfect for burgers and sandwiches.
Why It Works
Quick and easy pickles, perfect for your burgers and sandwiches. Read the Whole Story- A balanced mix of vinegar and water gives you pickles that are sharp and fresh, but not overwhelmingly tart.
- Heating the brine before pouring it over the cucumbers speeds up the flavoring process.
- Covering the cucumbers with a paper towel ensures that they stay submerged.
Ingredients
- 2 Kirby cucumbers, thinly sliced (about 8 ounces; 225g total)
- 1 cup (240ml) water
- 1 cup (240ml) distilled white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (about 15g) kosher salt (see note above)
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 medium cloves garlic, roughly sliced
- 2 teaspoons (6g) black peppercorns
- 2 teaspoons (6g) whole yellow mustard seed
- 2 sprigs fresh dill
Directions
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1.
Place cucumber slices in a bowl that just fits them. Heat water, vinegar, salt, pepper flakes, garlic, black peppercorns, mustard seed, and dill in a skillet over high heat until salt has dissolved and mixture is simmering. Immediately pour brine over cucumbers. Cover bowl with a paper towel pressed directly against the surface of the liquid to keep cucumbers submerged. Wait at least 30 minutes before serving (do not drain brine). Pickles can be stored in their brine in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a month.