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Sweet and Spicy Tomato Pickled Cucumbers

If you’re looking for a pickle recipe that’s bursting with bold flavor, these Sweet and Spicy Tomato Pickled Cucumbers are about to become your new favorite. They’re sweet, spicy, garlicky, and packed with delicious flavors in every crunchy bite. Unlike traditional dill pickles, these homemade refrigerator pickles are made with a tomato-based pickling liquid that creates the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and spicy.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
3 days
Total Time 3 days 30 minutes
Course: canning
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tbl neutral oil
  • 2 tbl salt
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1 cup sriracha or 3 tbl chili paste
  • 6 cloves garlic - pressed
  • 1 cup vinegar
  • 5 lbs garden cucumbers

Equipment

  • jars and lids
  • pot ( for the brine)
  • baking sheet

Method
 

Prepare the cucumber

  1. Wash the cucumbers well and cut each one into four long spears. Pack them tightly into six sanitized glass jars.
    Put them on a baking sheet, place into the oven, and bake the cucumbers for 20 minutes. (Yes, you read that right, no liquid)

Make the hot brine

  1. In a large pot, combine the water, sugar, oil, salt, ketchup, Sriracha (or chili paste), and garlic.
    Bring everything to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar and salt dissolve completely.
    Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the white vinegar.

Fill the jars

  1. Carefully pour the hot brine over the hot cucumbers, making sure the pickling liquid fully covers them but leave some head space.
    Seal the jars with clean lids. Then turn them upside down and cover them with a towel to keep them warm until they fully cool down. 

Cool and refrigerate

  1. Allow the jars to cool to room temperature before placing them in the refrigerator. 
    For the best flavor, let the pickles sit for at least 24 hours before serving. They’re even better after two or three days as the cucumbers absorb all of the sweet, spicy, and garlicky flavors.