Is Pickling Safe? Yes, But Read This First. (2024)

I made these pickles while growing up and love them because you can eat them with just about anything. Now, both of my children love these pickles too. I think you'll enjoy them as much as we do! —Linda Weger, Robinson, Illinois

Refrigerator Garden PicklesCanning isn't necessary for these crisp-tender, tangy pickles. Keep them in the fridge and eat them up within a month. —Linda Chapman, Meriden, Iowa

Sweet 'n' Tangy Freezer PicklesNow you can have all the goodness of crunchy sweet-sour pickles without going to the trouble of canning them. Even though these puckery slices can be stored in the freezer, they don't last long at my house. —Jean Vance, Charlotte, North Carolina

Christmas PicklesA dear family friend made these pickles for decades. I've adapted the recipe a bit over the years, but in my heart they are still “Dr. Rhodes’ pickles.” These morsels are delicious any time of year, but the green, red and white hues of the pickles, cherries and onions make them ideal for Christmas gift-giving—and it's a tasty twist on the classic Christmas pickle tradition. —Patricia Martin, Shelby

Pickled PeachesFresh peach quarters soaked in vinegar, sugar and warm spices are a classic southern treat. Serve with ice cream, pound cake, roasted meat and veggies, or mix into your favorite salad greens.—Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pickled Sweet PeppersI love to can my homegrown produce. I call this recipe Summer in a Jar. The peppers have a nice combination of tart and spicy flavors. —Edna Clemens, West Branch, Michigan

Spiced Pickled BeetsWith sweet, tangy and spiced flavors, these pickled beets are so good that they'll win over just about everyone in your house. Jars of colorful beets make great gifts, too! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

Pickled Green BeansThis recipe produces zippy little pickled green beans, preserving my veggies for months to come ... if they last that long. I crank up the heat a bit with cayenne pepper. —Marisa McClellan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pickled Mushrooms for a CrowdServe tangy pickled mushrooms alongside a steak, as an appetizer with toothpicks, in a salad or as part of an antipasto platter. However you present them, you can’t go wrong! —John Levezow, Eagan, Minnesota

Pickled Sweet OnionsThese slightly crunchy pickled onions are not only a great gift for Christmas, but also a terrific contribution to a backyard barbecue as a relish for burgers and hot dogs. —Laura Winemiller, Delta, Pennsylvania

Fire-and-Ice PicklesThese sweet and spicy pickles are great on a sandwich or all by themselves as a snack. The recipe is an easy way to dress up store-brought pickles and make them a special treat! —Myra Innes, Auburn, Kansas

Pickled Peppers RecipeThis pickled peppers recipe from Ball brand home canning products is so easy, and you'll never have to buy store-bought peppers ever again. They are so delicious.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Watermelon Rind Pickles"Waste not, want not" has always been smart advice—especially when it produces picked watermelon rind that's so refreshing. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Refrigerator Dill PicklesEasy and economical, refrigerator dill pickles are tangy, zesty and crispy. No one will believe you made them yourself! —Jake Haen, Ocala, Florida

Chicago-Style Hot GiardinieraI've been living in Chicago for the last 12 years and have grown to love the spicy giardiniera served at restaurants. So I developed my own to use at home. We love it on everything from eggs to sandwiches and even pizza! —Andrea Quiroz, Chicago, Illinois

Most people don't think about grapes when creating a canned pickle recipe. The pickling liquid for these grapes includes red wine, vinegar and common pickling spices like coriander, mustard seeds and hot pepper; it also contains warm spices like cinnamon and star anise along with brown sugar. These flavor-packed grapes are unique and delicious on a fab antipasto, pickle or cheese tray. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina

Pickled Asparagus RecipeThis pickled asparagus recipe is really popular with my family. My granddaughter always says, "Oh, Grammy, these are soooo good!" They're easy to prepare and turn out perfect every time. My husband loves it when I add a dried hot pepper to each jar. —Annie Merrell, Fenelon Falls, Ontario

Refrigerator PicklesThis easy refrigerator pickles recipe is a great way to use cucumbers and onions from the garden. Here in upstate New York, we have an abundance of cucumbers. —Catherine Seibold, Elma, New York

Pickled EggsEver since I can remember, my mother served this pickled egg recipe at Easter. It was a tradition that my family expected. I made them for my granddaughter the last time she visited and they were all gone before she left. —Mary Banker, Fort Worth, Texas

Pickled Brussels SproutsThis year, when I asked my brother what he wanted for his 31st birthday, he answered, "pickled Brussels sprouts." I had never even tasted a pickled Brussels sprout before. It's hard for me to say "no" to my younger brother, so he got his wish and thought the Brussels sprouts were delicious! —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland

Dill Pickle RecipeThis treasured dill pickle recipe is like an old friend. These crispy spears have a slightly salty, tart flavor with a good balance of dill, garlic and peppers. —Betty Sitzman, Wray, Colorado

Pickled StrawberriesI developed a unique healthy recipe to feature my most-loved spring and summer fruit. My favorite way to serve these pickled strawberries is as an appetizer with cheese. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Sweet and Sour Zucchini PicklesPickled zucchini is a great way to use up all those green beauties in your garden. Preserve them now to share as a holiday gift from your kitchen. —Tina Butler, Royse City, Texas

Refrigerator Jalapeno Dill PicklesI’m passionate about making pickles. My husband is passionate about eating them. He's too impatient to let them cure on the shelf, so I found this quick recipe to make him happy. Add hotter peppers if you like. —Annie Jensen, Roseau, Minnesota

Belarus Pickled CarrotsMy mom’s holiday buffet always included these pickled carrots. I kept the tradition going, then passed the recipe to my daughter. In our family, it isn't a party without this dish. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, GA

Pickled Green Tomato RelishWhen I'm left with green tomatoes at the end of summer, I reach for this recipe. Friends and family are so happy to receive the sweet-sour relish that they often return the empty jar and ask for a refill! —Mary Gill, Florence, Oregon

Garlic Dill Pickle RecipeWhen I was raising my big family, I'd make this garlic dill pickle recipe toward the end of the growing season for winter's keeping. Crushed red pepper flakes gives the pickles a bit of bite.— Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Pickled ApplesThese easy pickled apples are perfect alongside a pork entree or salad, or with a charcuterie cheese board. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pickled GarlicPickled garlic is a delicious condiment for the garlic lover on your list. You'll be pleasantly surprised how pickling mellows out the garlic, making it a tasty sandwich topper. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin