Ingredients:
- 2 lbs (900g) English cucumbers, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
- 2 tbsp (34g) Kosher salt
- 1 cup (240ml) White distilled vinegar
- 1 cup (240ml) Filtered water
- 1 tbsp (17g) Cane sugar
- 1 tbsp (17g) Pickling salt
- 4 cloves (12g) Garlic, smashed
- 3 sprigs (5g) Fresh dill
- 1 tsp (2g) Whole black peppercorns
- 1/2 tsp (1g) Red pepper flakes
Instructions:
- Salt the cucumbers. Place sliced cucumbers in a colander and toss with 2 tbsp (34g) of Kosher salt.
- Drain the water. Let them sit for 30 minutes until you see liquid pooling at the bottom. Note: This is the osmosis phase.
- Rinse and dry. Rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt and pat dry with a towel.
- Mix the brine. In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, and pickling salt.
- Simmer the liquid. Bring to a light simmer over medium heat, stirring until solids dissolve, then remove from heat immediately.
- Prep the jars. Distribute the smashed garlic, dill sprigs, peppercorns, and red pepper flakes evenly across the bottom of Mason jars.
- Pack the jars. Pack the cured cucumber slices tightly on top of the aromatics.
- Add brine. Pour the hot brine over the cucumbers until they are completely submerged.
- Cool down. Allow jars to cool to room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Chill. Seal the jars and refrigerate for 4 hours.