This homemade pickle juice recipe is a tangy and flavorful brine made from vinegar, water, salt, and various spices and herbs. The liquid is used to preserve and pickle vegetables, giving them a distinct sour and salty flavor. Homemade pickle juice can be used in a variety of ways, such as a marinade for meat, or a dressing for salads, to add some zing to your meals.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for homemade pickle juice
- Water
- White vinegar
- Salt
- Sugar
- Mustard seeds
- Coriander seeds
- Black peppercorns
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Bay leaves (optional)
How to make homemade pickle juice
To begin, you will need a few basic ingredients such as vinegar, water, salt, and spices. The type of vinegar you use can vary depending on what you have on hand, but white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or rice vinegar are all common choices. You’ll also need to decide which spices and herbs you want to use to flavor your pickle juice.
The first step in making homemade pickle juice is to combine the vinegar and water in a large pot. You’ll want to use a ratio of roughly 1:1 vinegar to water, but this can vary depending on how potent you want your pickle juice to be.
Next, add salt to the mixture. Kosher salt or pickling salt are the best choices, because they dissolve easily and don’t contain any additives that could affect the taste of your pickle juice, but any unflavored salt will do.
Once the vinegar, water, and salt have been added to the pot, it’s time to add your spices and herbs. This is where you can get creative and add the flavors that you like best. Some common herbs and spices used in pickle juice include dill weed or dill seed, garlic, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, and bay leaves. Adjust the quantities of each spice to taste. I love to add a good sprinkling of dried red pepper flakes for a noticeable kick, and a tiny bit of color.
Now it’s time to bring the mixture to a boil. Once it’s boiling, you can turn down the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
After the mixture has simmered for a bit, strain out the spices and herbs with a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any solids from the liquid. You’ll be left with a deliciously fresh,sweet, sour and mildly spicy homemade pickle juice that you can use whenever you want.
Recipes that use homemade pickle juice
Pickled Vegetables: Homemade pickle juice is the perfect base for pickling vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots, onions, and peppers. Simply soak your vegetables in the pickle juice for a few days in the refrigerator for a delicious and tangy snack or condiment.
Salad Dressing: You can use homemade pickle juice as the base for a tangy and flavorful salad dressing. Mix in some oil and honey to make a delicious vinaigrette or add some mayonnaise to make a creamy dressing.
Chicken Marinade: Homemade pickle juice makes a great marinade for chicken. Simply marinate your chicken in the pickle juice for a few hours before cooking for a tender and flavorful dish.
Deviled Eggs: Add a sharp twist to traditional deviled eggs with a splash of pickle juice made from scratch. Mix it in with the egg yolks and mayonnaise for a delicious appetizer.
Coleslaw: You can use pickle juice as a base for a tangy and flavorful coleslaw dressing. Mix it with some mayonnaise, sugar, and mustard for a delicious and crunchy side dish.
BBQ Sauce: Add some homemade pickle juice to your BBQ sauce for a zingy, vinegary twist. It’s the perfect addition to pulled meats, ribs, and grilled chicken.
Ceviche: Use homemade pickle juice as a base for your ceviche marinade. It adds a tangy and acidic flavor to the seafood, making it even more delicious.
How to store homemade pickle juice
Storing homemade pickle juice properly is important to ensure that it stays fresh and flavorful for as long as possible. Here’s how to store homemade pickle juice:
Choose the right container: It’s important to store homemade pickle juice in a container that is airtight and won’t leak. Glass jars with lids, plastic containers with tight-fitting lids, or bottles with screw caps are all good options.
Cool it down: Allow the pickle juice to cool down to room temperature before storing it. Hot liquids can cause condensation in the container, which can lead to spoilage.
Seal the container: Make sure the container is sealed tightly to prevent air from entering. Air exposure can cause the pickle juice to spoil or lose its potency.
Store in the fridge: Store the homemade pickle juice in the fridge to keep it fresh. The low temperature of the fridge slows down the growth of bacteria and helps preserve the taste.
Use within a few weeks: Homemade pickle juice should be used within a few weeks of making it. Over time, the flavor may start to degrade, and the pickle juice may become cloudy or develop a strange odor. It’s best to discard it at that stage and make a fresh batch.
Why not give this homemade pickle juice recipe a try and see how it can add an extra dimension of flavor to your favorite dishes and snacks?
Homemade Pickle Juice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the water, white vinegar, salt, and sugar.
- Add the mustard seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, and bay leaf to the saucepan and stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar and salt are fully dissolved.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
- Strain the pickle juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid.
- Store the pickle juice in the fridge until ready to use.
