Authentic Old-World Kosher Dill Pickles Recipe | Naturally Fermented 

Ingredients (for 1 quart jar)

Pickling cucumbers: 1 pound (Kirby cucumbers are ideal)

Fresh dill: 3–4 sprigs (or 1–2 tsp dill seeds)

Garlic cloves: 2–3, peeled and smashed

Pickling salt (kosher salt): 1 tablespoon

Water: 2 cups (non-chlorinated, filtered if possible)

Optional spices: ½ teaspoon black peppercorns, ½ teaspoon coriander seeds, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

Optional for extra crunch: 1–2 grape leaves per jar

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Instructions

1. Prep cucumbers

Wash cucumbers thoroughly and trim the blossom ends (helps maintain crunch).

Leave them whole, slice into spears, or cut into rounds.

2. Make the brine

Dissolve 1 tablespoon kosher salt in 2 cups of water.

No vinegar is used in this traditional fermentation—it relies on natural lacto-fermentation.

3. Pack the jar

Place garlic, dill, spices, and optional grape leaves at the bottom of a clean quart jar.

Pack cucumbers tightly on top, leaving about 1–2 inches of headspace.

4. Add the brine

Pour the salted water over cucumbers until fully submerged.

Weigh cucumbers down with a small glass or fermentation weight to keep them under the brine.

5. Ferment

Cover the jar loosely with a lid or cloth to allow gases to escape.

Leave the jar at room temperature (65–75°F).

Check daily, skim off any surface foam, and taste after 3–5 days.

Fermentation can take 5–10 days depending on room temperature and desired tanginess.

6. Store

Once pickles are tangy enough, seal with a tight lid and refrigerate.

They can last several months in the fridge, and flavor improves with time.

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Pro Tips for the Perfect Deli-Style Pickle

1. Use fresh, firm cucumbers—older cucumbers can become soft.

2. Avoid iodine-based salts or table salt with anti-caking agents; only use kosher or pickling salt.

3. Keep cucumbers fully submerged to prevent mold.

4. Add grape leaves—they contain tannins that help keep pickles crisp.

5. Fermentation is flexible: warmer temperatures speed it up, cooler slow it down. Taste daily!