Easy Spicy Refrigerator Dilly Beans Recipe
Make crunchy, tangy dilly beans quickly using this simple refrigerator pickle method. These pickled green beans are packed with garlic and dill flavor, with an optional spicy kick perfect for snacking.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 2 quarts 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Quick Pickling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs fresh green beans, ends trimmed
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust for spice level)
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons pickling salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 large bunch fresh dill sprigs (or 2 tablespoons dried dill seed)
Instructions
- Wash the green beans thoroughly. Trim the ends off the beans.
- Pack the green beans tightly into two clean quart-sized mason jars, leaving about 1 inch of headspace. Distribute the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes evenly between the jars.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water, vinegar, pickling salt, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring until the salt and sugar dissolve completely. This is your vinegar brine.
- Carefully pour the hot brine over the beans in the jars, ensuring the beans are completely submerged. Leave 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of each jar.
- Place a dill sprig or sprinkle dill seed on top of the beans in each jar.
- Wipe the rims clean with a damp cloth. Seal the jars with lids and rings, tightening them to fingertip tight.
- Allow the jars to cool on the counter for about 30 minutes. Then, transfer the jars to the refrigerator.
- Wait at least 24 hours before eating. These refrigerator dilly beans are best eaten within 3 weeks for maximum crunch.
Notes
- For long-term storage (canning): After sealing the jars, process them in a boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude if necessary. Let the sealed jars cool completely before storing in a cool, dark place. Canned dilly beans will last up to one year.
- To keep your dilly beans extra crunchy, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of pickling crisping powder (calcium chloride) to the brine, or use grape leaves in the jar, which contain tannins that help maintain crispness.
- If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon or omit them entirely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 0.1
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 0