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Let’s talk about this easy pickles recipe that has HUGE flavor! My spicy maple bourbon pickles recipe is an awesome twist to the very familiar flavor of dill pickles. It’s got sweet, spicy, and tangy flavor notes, and will blow your mind when it comes to how you think about a homemade easy pickles recipe.
These are the perfect side for the backyard cookout, the big game, or the perfect late-night snack. These are guaranteed to become a favorite at your house, and the best part is that this is a no-cook recipe. Gather all of your ingredients, slice up the veggies, and let’s get cooking (sort of)
Good news! This isn’t your basic spicy dill pickle recipe – this is a fantastic twist on those that doesn’t require any special equipment. Trust me – you’re about to make a darn good pickle! By the way – this recipe is also gluten free.
Let’s Prep:
As always I start by getting all of my ingredients ready. This easy pickles recipe is just that – easy. It’ll be even easier when you already have a clean workspace and all of your items prepared beforehand.
Check out the Fancy Pickles shirt!
To get these ready, you’ll only need a couple of fresh vegetables You’ll need about 5 small cucumbers, this was the perfect amount to fill my 32oz mason jar, but you can adjust as needed. Slice them up with the jalapenos, crush your garlic cloves to get those flavors and oils out, and grab your seasonings and spices.
You’ll also need some pantry staples like apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and bourbon. Yes, you read that right cup of bourbon adds deep, rich flavors to this pickle brine. For the spices, I use red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, dill for that classic dill pickles flavor, and allspice, which rounds out the brine with warm notes. Don’t forget to grab mason jars for storing these pickles!
As I mentioned earlier – mason jars are the perfect container to keep these airtight.
Let’s Cook (sort of):
Easy Pickles Recipe is almost done!
The best part about this easy pickles recipe is that we’re not really cooking anything. More like slicing and marinating – so nice and easy! Toss in the cucumbers and jalapenos, then add the crushed red pepper flakes, garlic, and other spices like black pepper, dill, and allspice. You’ll also want to add a bit of salt to balance everything out.
Next, for your liquids: bourbon, apple cider vinegar (I prefer this over white vinegar as it has a better flavor), and maple syrup. Pour them right over the cucumber slices and jalapenos. Here’s a pro tip: I always pour hot water over the top before sealing the jar. This helps to dissolve the salt and spices, getting all those flavors to mix perfectly.
Once you’ve have everything in the jar and the hot water on top, let it sit for a few minutes to let it cool down slightly. Once it’s good, then screw on the top of the mason jar and put it in your fridge. That’s it! These pickles need about 24-48 hours in their cool bath for all of the flavors to come out perfectly.
Let’s Eat:
My favorite part! After a day or two in the fridge, the spicy maple bourbon pickles are ready to be eaten, or maybe even devoured. You’re immediately going to notice the flavor profiles of the maple syrup. You’ll also have the jalapeños and red pepper flakes bring spicy flavor, and you’ll also catch the rest of the flavors that went in as well.
I love serving these pickles alongside a cheese board for an extra special touch during gatherings, but they’re also fantastic on their own as great snacks. Or, throw them on burgers and sandwiches for a gluten-free crunch that takes any meal to the next level.
The bourbon flavors truly shine through, adding a depth of flavor that you wouldn’t expect from pickles. You’ll get the spice from the jalapenos and black peppercorns, but it’s balanced perfectly with the sweet, smoky notes of maple bourbon whiskey pickles. These pickles are also GMO-free, so you can feel good about enjoying them with just about anything.
Best Tips for the Perfect Pickles
Before I wrap up, I want to share a few of my best tips for making this easy pickles recipe. First, make sure to use high-quality cucumbers (gmo free if possible) and fresh ingredients for the best results. The fresher your veggies, the crunchier your pickles will be! Next, don’t be afraid to adjust the spice level. If you like things extra hot, toss in more habanero peppers or red pepper flakes.
If you’re worried about the spice level, go light on the peppers and add more sweet elements like maple syrup. I also recommend using mason jars for that perfect seal, ensuring the flavors stay locked in as they marinate. Lastly, while this recipe is already pretty quick, the key is letting the pickles sit in the fridge long enough. Giving them at least 24 hours will guarantee an epically delicious crunchy bite every time.
So, whether you’re whipping these up for a summer BBQ season or just looking for something new to add to your daily meal, this spicy maple bourbon pickles recipe is a must-try. Trust me one bite and you’ll never want to go back to store-bought pickles again!
Variations:
If you’re fans of the flavor profiles you could add fennel seeds, mustard seeds, or other whole spices like allspice or cracked black peppercorn, or coriander seeds.
Ingredients
- 5 Small Cucumbers sliced
- 1 Jalapeno sliced into coins
- 1/3 C Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/3 C Bourbon
- 1/4 C Maple Syrup
- 3 Cloves Garlic whole, smashed
- 1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 3/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Dill
- 1/4 tsp All Spice
- 1/4 tsp Onion Powder
Instructions
- Slice cucumbers, and jalapeno to your size preference, I do about 1/4" slices
- Add all ingredients to a clean jar with a tight sealing lid to combine. I use Mason Jars
- Once all ingredients are in the jar, pour boiling water over the top
- Allow to sit and cool for 5-10 minutes
- Place lid on tightly and put in fridge for 48 hours
