Grandma's Sweet Pickles - Simple Recipe
Grandma's Sweet Pickles - Simple Recipe is a medium Southern American recipe that serves 8. 800 calories per serving. Recipe by Mississippi Family Homestead on YouTube.
Prep: 1 hr 25 min | Cook: 45 min | Total: 2 hrs 30 min
Cost: $10.00 total, $1.25 per serving
Ingredients
- 8 lb Cucumbers (fresh garden cucumbers, washed and sliced)
- 1 cup Lime Juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 gallon Water (cold water for lime soak)
- 8 cup Granulated Sugar (white sugar)
- 8 cup Distilled White Vinegar (5% acidity)
- 1 tablespoon Canning Salt (non‑iodized)
- 1 tablespoon Pickling Spice (store‑bought blend)
Instructions
Prepare Cucumbers
Wash cucumbers, trim the ends, and cut them into spears or rounds about 1/4‑inch thick.
Time: PT15M
Make Lime Water
Combine 1 cup lime juice with 2 gallons cold water in a large container and stir thoroughly.
Time: PT5M
Lime Soak
Submerge the cucumber pieces in the lime water, cover, and refrigerate for 24 hours.
Time: PT0M
Rinse Cucumbers
After 24 hours, drain the lime water and rinse the cucumbers under cold running water until no lime residue remains.
Time: PT10M
Ice Water Soak
Place the rinsed cucumbers in a bowl of ice water, cover, and refrigerate overnight (8‑12 hours).
Time: PT0M
Drain Ice Water
Remove the cucumbers from the ice water and let them drain in a colander.
Time: PT5M
Prepare Sweet Brine
In a large bowl combine 8 cups granulated sugar, 8 cups distilled white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon canning salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then add the cucumber slices, mix, cover, and refrigerate for 5‑6 hours.
Time: PT10M
Boil Brine
Transfer the brine (without the cucumbers) to a large pot, add 1 tablespoon pickling spice, bring to a rolling boil and continue boiling for 30 minutes.
Time: PT30M
Temperature: 212°F
Sterilize Jars
Place clean canning jars and lids in the canning pot of boiling water and boil for at least 5 minutes to sterilize.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: 212°F
Pack Jars
Using a jar lifter, remove the hot jars, fill each with cucumber slices, packing tightly but leaving a 1/2‑inch headspace.
Time: PT10M
Fill with Hot Brine
Ladle the hot boiled brine into each jar, covering the cucumbers and maintaining the 1/2‑inch headspace. Wipe rims clean with a cloth.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: 212°F
Seal Jars
Place lids on the jars and screw bands on fingertip‑tight.
Time: PT5M
Process Jars
Return the sealed jars to the boiling water bath, ensuring water covers jars by at least 1 inch. Process for 10 minutes at 212°F.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: 212°F
Cool and Store
Remove jars with a jar lifter, place on a towel, and let cool undisturbed for 15 minutes. Check seals; store sealed jars in a cool dark place.
Time: PT15M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 800
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbohydrates
- 200 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fiber
- 2 g
Dietary info: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Cucumbers: pickling cucumbers, zucchini
- Instead of Lime Juice: lemon juice
- Instead of Granulated Sugar: brown sugar
- Instead of Distilled White Vinegar: apple cider vinegar
- Instead of Canning Salt: kosher salt
- Instead of Pickling Spice: homemade blend of mustard seed, coriander, peppercorns, allspice
Equipment Needed
- Cutting Board
- Sharp Knife
- Large Bowl
- Large Pot
- Canning Pot / Water Bath Canner
- Jar Lifter
- Funnel
- Ladle
- Clean Cloth or Paper Towels
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- 24‑hour lime water soak for crispness
- Overnight ice water soak
- 5‑6 hour sweet brine soak
- 30‑minute boil of the brine with pickling spice
- 10‑minute water‑bath processing of jars
Chef Tips from the Video
- Use the freshest, firmest cucumbers you can find for maximum crunch.
- Keep cucumbers fully submerged during all soaking steps to avoid uneven flavor.
- A small amount of pickling spice goes a long way; adjust to taste after the first batch.
Troubleshooting
Pickles are soft instead of crisp.
Make sure the lime soak is exactly 24 hours and the ice water soak is cold; replace any wilted cucumbers before brining.
Brine is cloudy.
Stir the brine while boiling and skim any foam; use filtered water for the lime soak.
Jars did not seal properly.
Re‑process the jars within 24 hours, ensuring rims are clean and lids are new and undamaged.
Storage
Refrigerator: Opened jars keep up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Freezer: Do not freeze pickles; texture will degrade.
Room temperature: Unopened processed jars store in a cool, dark pantry for up to 1 year.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare the lime water and ice water soaks a day ahead.
- Sterilize jars while the cucumbers are soaking to save time.
- The sweet brine can be boiled in advance and kept hot for filling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of Old‑Fashioned Sweet Pickles in Southern American cuisine?
Old‑fashioned sweet pickles are a staple of Southern home cooking, dating back to the 19th‑century practice of preserving garden harvests for winter. Families like the Mississippi Family Homestead have passed the recipe through generations, using lime water to keep cucumbers crisp and a sweet vinegar brine for flavor.
What are the traditional regional variations of Old‑Fashioned Sweet Pickles in Southern cuisine?
In the Deep South, some cooks add mustard seeds or turmeric to the spice blend, while in the Gulf Coast version, a splash of hot sauce is sometimes included for a subtle kick. The Mississippi Family Homestead version sticks to a simple pickling spice and a generous sugar‑vinegar mix.
How is Old‑Fashioned Sweet Pickles traditionally served in Southern meals?
They are typically served as a side dish with fried chicken, barbecue, or on a sandwich platter. In Southern gatherings, a bowl of sweet pickles often accompanies a spread of biscuits, ham, and collard greens.
What occasions or celebrations are Old‑Fashioned Sweet Pickles associated with in Southern culture?
Sweet pickles are a common addition to holiday meals such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as to summer picnics and church potlucks. They are also a favorite for family reunions where garden harvests are abundant.
What authentic ingredients are essential for Old‑Fashioned Sweet Pickles versus acceptable substitutes?
Authentic ingredients include fresh garden cucumbers, lime juice for the initial soak, distilled white vinegar, and canning salt. Substitutes can be lemon juice for lime, apple cider vinegar for white vinegar, and kosher salt in place of canning salt, though flavor and crispness may vary slightly.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Old‑Fashioned Sweet Pickles at home?
Common errors include under‑soaking the cucumbers in lime water, using warm water for the ice soak, not rinsing the lime water completely, and failing to process the jars for the full 10 minutes. Each step is crucial for crisp texture and safe preservation.
Why does this Old‑Fashioned Sweet Pickles recipe use a 24‑hour lime soak instead of straight vinegar brine?
The lime soak raises the pH of the cucumber tissue, which helps the cell walls stay firm, resulting in a crisp pickle. Directly adding cucumbers to vinegar can make them softer over time.
Can I make Old‑Fashioned Sweet Pickles ahead of time and how should I store them?
Yes. After processing, store the sealed jars in a cool, dark pantry for up to a year. Once opened, keep the pickles refrigerated and consume within two weeks for best quality.
What texture and appearance should I look for when my Old‑Fashioned Sweet Pickles are done?
The cucumbers should be bright green, firm to the bite, and fully coated with a clear amber‑gold brine. The lids should be concave, indicating a proper seal.
What does the YouTube channel Mississippi Family Homestead specialize in?
The YouTube channel Mississippi Family Homestead specializes in traditional Southern home cooking, garden‑to‑table recipes, and step‑by‑step canning tutorials that preserve family heritage dishes.
How does the YouTube channel Mississippi Family Homestead's approach to Southern cooking differ from other cooking channels?
Mississippi Family Homestead focuses on multi‑generational family recipes, emphasizes using garden produce, and provides detailed, old‑fashioned preservation techniques, whereas many other channels prioritize quick, modern shortcuts.
Last updated: August 14, 2026
