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Crunchy Sweet & Spicy Pickled Dilly Beans

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These crunchy sweet and spicy pickled dilly beans are quick and easy to make, with a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and heat. They’re a crowd-pleasing snack or gift that tastes like summer in a jar.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt (Diamond Crystal; reduce to 1½ tablespoons if using Morton)
  • 4 large sprigs fresh dill
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (use 1½ teaspoons for medium heat)
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon black peppercorns

Instructions

  1. Prepare the green beans: Wash them thoroughly under cold water. Trim off the stem ends, leaving the tail ends intact. If beans are very long, cut them to fit your jars with about ½ inch of headspace. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
  2. Pack the jars: Divide the garlic cloves, dill sprigs, mustard seeds, and black peppercorns evenly between two pint jars. Pack the green beans vertically into the jars as tightly as possible without crushing them.
  3. Make the brine: In a medium saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until sugar and salt dissolve. Let boil for 1 minute.
  4. Pour the brine: Carefully pour the hot brine over the green beans in each jar, leaving about ½ inch of headspace. Ensure beans are fully covered. Use a clean knife to gently push down any floating beans. Tap jars on the counter to release air bubbles.
  5. Seal and cool: Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp paper towel. Screw on lids until fingertip-tight. Let jars cool completely on the counter, about 1 to 2 hours.
  6. Refrigerate and wait: Transfer cooled jars to the refrigerator. Wait at least 48 hours before tasting to allow flavors to develop.
  7. Enjoy: After 48 hours, the beans are ready. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Notes

For best crunch, do not skip the ice bath after trimming beans. Fresh dill is non-negotiable; dried dill will not give the same flavor. The brine must be boiling when poured over beans. Pack beans tightly to ensure even pickling. Red pepper flakes vary in heat; start with 1 teaspoon and adjust. These are refrigerator pickles only—not tested for water bath canning.

Nutrition

Keywords: pickled dilly beans, dilly beans, pickled green beans, sweet and spicy pickles, refrigerator pickles, dilly bean recipe, crunchy pickled beans

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/crunchy-sweet-and-spicy-pickled-dilly-beans/