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These refrigerator cinnamon spice pickles are easy to make at home (just 24 hours in the fridge, no canning required) and are deliciously crunchy, a bit sweet, a bit spicy, a bit acidic and subtly flavored with cinnamon and clove.
I had never given much thought to pickles until recently when I ate a phenomenal burger that was phenomenal not because of the actual burger but because of the pickle that was perched on top of it.
Rather than just tasting sour this pickle had a really complex spicy flavor with hints of cinnamon and clove. It was a delicious match for the meat, cheese and vegetables. I tried to create something similar in my own kitchen and today’s recipe comes pretty close.
How to make homemade cinnamon spice pickles:
I had never pickled anything before so I started out with general directions from EatingWell.com. Their instructions simply involved making a brine, adding the cucumbers and spices to it and letting the whole thing sit in the fridge for 24 hours. No canning! I liked that.
I made up my own mix of spices with 1 bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns, 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves, 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds, 1/2 teaspoon mace and 1 stick of cinnamon. (I decided to use the true cinnamon as opposed to cassia. If you want to read about the difference between the two, you can check out this post: Cassia versus Cinnamon).
The result was really good, the pickles were crunchy, the cinnamon and clove flavors came through nicely and were balanced by the acidity, sweetness and a hint of spiciness from the pepper, mace and mustard seeds.
To make the pickles, you simply add all spices along with 4 baby cucumbers (cut or quartered) into a four-cup jar. In a saucepan, you combine 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar and 1.5 tablespoons salt. You boil the mix for 2 minutes, then fill it into the jar. Put on the lid (but not too tight) and refrigerate the pickles for 24 hours.
Recipe Tips:
- Cut a small slice off the blossom end of each cucumber because the flower contains an enzyme that will soften the pickle.
- Try to use a salt that doesn’t contain any anti-caking agents, otherwise your solution will turn cloudy
How to use homemade cinnamon spice pickles:
These pickles are great for sandwiches, including this Pulled Chicken Sandwich:
Homemade Cinnamon Spice Pickles
Ingredients:
- 1 four-cup jar with lid
- 4 baby cucumbers
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 teaspoon mace
- 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1.5 tablespoons salt (try to use a salt that doesn’t contain any anti-caking agents, otherwise your solution will turn cloudy)
Instructions:
- Cut a small slice off the blossom end of each cucumber because the flower contains an enzyme that will soften the pickle.
- Cut the cucumber(s) (quarter or slice them) and put them in the jar.
- Add all spices to the jar.
- In a saucepan combine vinegar, water, sugar and salt. Boil the solution for 2 minutes.
- Transfer the brine to a container with a spout and pour the hot brine into the jar.
- Put the lid on (not too tight).
- Refrigerate for 24 hours before eating.
- Store in the fridge for up to a week.
Nutrition
Made these pickles? It would be awesome if you could leave a rating. No need to type anything, just tap or click the stars in the recipe card and you’re done. Thanks!
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I haven’t tried making pickles with cinnamon before! It is one of my favorite spices of all time though, I think I would love them! Thank you for sharing!
You are very welcome, Billy! These pickles are quite good, the cinnamon adds a subtle but interesting flavor. Thank you for stopping by!
omg….these pickles are the BEST!!!! They deserve more than 5 stars in my opinion.
That is so lovely to hear, Jeannette! Thank you so much for leaving such a nice comment! :)
I do love eating pickles and make only Japanese pickles so far. I’m definitely interested in trying other kinds. Cinnamon in pickles, now that intrigued me! Your photos are simply just gorgeous! Make me want to eat off from screen. Looks really delicious!