University of Minnesota Extension

Extension > Food > Food Safety > Preserving and preparing > Vegetables and herbs > Fermented "Crock" dill pickle recipe

Fermented "Crock" dill pickle recipe

By William Schafer, University of Minnesota Extension food technologist, emeritus

Reviewed by Deb Botzek-Linn, University of Minnesota Extension educator, 2010. Reviewed by Suzanne Driessen, 2012.

See making fermented pickles and sauerkraut for safety precautions and details on equipment needed.

Ingredients

Use the following quantities for each gallon capacity of your container.

  • 4 lbs. of 4-inch pickling cucumbers
  • 2 Tbsp. dill seed or 4 to 5 heads fresh or dry dill weed
  • ½ cup salt
  • ¼ cup vinegar (5%)
  • 8 cups water
  • One or more of the following ingredients:
    • 2 cloves garlic (optional)
    • 2 dried red peppers (optional)
    • 2 tsp. whole mixed pickling spices (optional)

Procedure

  1. Wash cucumbers. Cut 1/16-inch slice off blossom end and discard. Leave ¼ inch of stem attached.
  2. Place half of dill and spices on bottom of a clean, suitable container. Add cucumbers, remaining dill, and spices.
  3. Dissolve salt in vinegar and water and pour over cucumbers. Add suitable cover and weight.
  4. Store where temperature is between 70° and 75° F for about 3 to 4 weeks while fermenting. Temperatures of 55° to 65° F are acceptable, but the fermentation will take 5 to 6 weeks. Avoid temperatures above 80° F, or pickles will become too soft during fermentation. Fermenting pickles cure slowly.
  5. Check the container several times a week and promptly remove surface scum or mold. Caution: If the pickles become soft, slimy, or develop a disagreeable odor, discard them.

Storage

Fully fermented pickles may be stored in their original containers for about 4 to 6 months, provided they are refrigerated and surface scum and molds are removed regularly. Canning fully fermented pickles is a better way to store them. To can them, pour the brine into a pan, heat slowly to a boil, and simmer 5 minutes. Filter brine through paper coffee filters to reduce cloudiness, if desired. Fill jar with pickles and hot brine, leaving a ½-inch headspace. Adjust lids and process as below, or use the low-temperature pasteurization treatment.

Recommended process for canning dill pickles

  • Boiling water bath
  • Pints: 15 minutes
  • Quarts: 20 minutes
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