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Homemade bread and butter pickles in glass jars with sweet tangy cucumber slices, onions, and golden brine for canning

Bread and Butter Pickles Canning Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 3 hours
Servings: 8 pints
Course: Side Dish

Ingredients
  

  • 6 lbs pickling cucumbers, sliced
  • 8 cup thinly sliced onions
  • 1/2 cup canning or pickling salt
  • 4 cups vinegar, 5% acidity
  • 4 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 tbsp mustard seed
  • 1 1/2 tbsp celery seed
  • 1 tbsp ground turmeric

Method
 

  1. Wash and slice: Rinse cucumbers well, trim off the blossom ends, then slice into thin rounds. Thinly slice the onions and place everything in a large bowl.
  2. Salt and chill: Sprinkle pickling salt over the cucumbers and onions. Cover with ice and refrigerate for 3–4 hours, then drain well.
  3. Prepare jars: Wash jars, lids, and rings. Keep jars hot and prepare the water bath canner before filling.
  4. Make the brine: Combine vinegar, sugar, mustard seed, celery seed, and turmeric in a large pot. Bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes.
  5. Add cucumbers: Add the drained cucumber and onion mixture to the hot brine. Slowly heat back to boiling.
  6. Fill and process: Pack hot pickles into hot jars, cover with brine, and leave 1/2-inch headspace. Remove bubbles, wipe rims, apply lids, and process in a boiling water canner for 10–20 minutes based on altitude.
  7. Cool and store: Let jars cool for 12–24 hours. Check seals, label jars, and store in a cool, dark place. For best flavor, wait 4–5 weeks before opening.