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Quick & Easy Refrigerator Dilly Beans (Spicy Garlic Pickled Green Beans)

Close-up of fresh green beans packed tightly in a jar with dill, garlic, and red pepper flakes for dilly beans.
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Make these crunchy, tangy dilly beans right in your refrigerator. This easy recipe requires no canning and delivers snappy, garlicky, and optionally spicy pickled green beans ready fast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds fresh green beans, ends trimmed
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 cups white vinegar (5% acidity)
  • 2 tablespoons pickling salt
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 8 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 4 large fresh dill heads or 4 teaspoons dried dill seed
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spicy dilly beans)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns

Instructions

  1. Prepare the green beans by washing them thoroughly and trimming the tough ends. You can leave the beans whole or cut them into 2-inch pieces.
  2. Pack the green beans tightly into two clean, quart-sized (32 oz) mason jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
  3. 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.
  4. Divide the flavorings evenly between the two jars: place 4 smashed garlic cloves, 2 dill heads (or 2 teaspoons dill seed), 1/2 teaspoon peppercorns, and half of the red pepper flakes (if using) into each jar.
  5. Carefully pour the hot vinegar brine over the beans in each jar, ensuring the beans are completely submerged. Leave 1/4 inch headspace.
  6. Tap the jars gently on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles. Add more brine if necessary to maintain the headspace.
  7. Wipe the rims clean with a damp cloth. Seal the jars with lids and bands, tightening them to finger-tight.
  8. Let the jars cool on the counter for about an hour. Once cool, place the jars in the refrigerator.
  9. Wait at least 24 hours before eating. For the best flavor and crunch, allow the dilly beans to chill for 3 to 5 days before serving. They are ready to eat immediately as refrigerator pickles.

Notes

  • For long-term storage, process these jars using a boiling water bath method for 10 minutes after sealing, adjusting time for altitude.
  • If you love garlic, add an extra 2 cloves per quart jar for a true garlic dill beans experience.
  • These crunchy pickled beans are excellent additions to charcuterie boards or as a garnish for Bloody Mary cocktails.
  • The beans should remain crisp for up to 2 months in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mdlatdmm.com/dilly-beans-quick-easy-refrigerator-pickles/