If you are someone like me who does not enjoy something heavy or fancy in the morning, Chef John’s Bread And Butter Pickle will be your top pick. This recipe is easy, calls for simple ingredients, and is an inexpensive breakfast idea. It is a delicious way to kick-start your mornings; no one can say otherwise.
This recipe was a big hit during the Great Depression era. That is mainly because it was cheap and sustainable for people from all classes. This tells you how easy the steps are, and the ingredients are pocket-friendly, too.
After waking up in the morning, it is refreshing to have something light and different from your usual scrambled eggs with bread on it. Also, if you live alone like me and want a quick bite, then this recipe will be your knight in shining armor.
This leisurely breakfast is not dull and will be ready within a minute. A bottle of Chef John’s Bread And Butter Pickles can also be stored in the freezer for nine months, so you have your breakfast sorted for months. If this news got you pumped up, then get ready to learn how to make these crunchy, delightful pickles at home and get a break from your usual cravings.
Equipment Required
- Knife: I use a sharp kitchen knife to cut the cucumbers.
- Bowl: I am using a medium-sized bowl to mix everything.
- Spoon: I use a spoon to mix all the ingredients well in the bowl.
- Saucepan: After making the brine, you need to bring it to a simmer for the best flavors, and for this purpose, I am using a saucepan.
- Spatula: I use a wooden spatula to toss and twirl everything in the saucepan.
Chef John’s Bread And Butter Pickle Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredients in this recipe can make for 6 people . You can increase or decrease the quantities for more or fewer portions.
- 2 Lbs Pickling Or Other Firm, Little Cucumbers
- ½ Yellow Onion, Sliced
- 2 Red Jalapeno Peppers, Sliced: You can also use habanero peppers for the spice quotient.
- 3 Tablespoons Kosher Salt: If you don’t have this, go for Himalayan or sea salt.
- 2 Cups Sugar
- 2 Cups White Distilled Vinegar
- 1/4 Cup Water
- 1 Tablespoon Mustard Seeds
- 1 Teaspoon Celery Seeds
- 1/8 Teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ Teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 Teaspoon Black Peppercorns
- 2 Cloves Garlic, Sliced
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Resting Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Minutes | 2 Hours | 5 Minutes | 2 Hours 20 Minutes |
How To Make Chef John’s Bread And Butter Pickle At Home
Step 1
Combine cucumbers, onion, and peppers in the bowl. Coat the mixture with kosher salt. Now, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for two hours.
Step 2
Remove the bowl from the fridge and rinse the cucumber mixture in a colander under cold water for five minutes.
Step 3
Wash out all the salt and drain the mixture.
Step 4
Take a saucepan and stir in sugar, mustard seed, and celery seed.
Step 5
Now, add peppercorns and ground cloves.
Step 6
Furthermore, add turmeric and ground cloves to the same pan.
Step 7
Now, stir in the vinegar and mix it well.
Step 8
Before you turn on the flame, add some water as well.
Step 9
Simmer the brine over medium heat.
Step 10
After this, add the cucumber mixture to the brine.
Step 11
Let the mixture heat, and as soon as you see bubbles, switch off the heat.
Step 12
Transfer everything to a bowl and let it cool.
Step 13
Your Chef John’s Bread and Butter Pickle is ready to eat.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- You can follow all the steps correctly but still mess up if you use a jar of the wrong size. Overfilling your jars with pickles will result in an improper brine, leading to a foul or uneven taste. Also, the pickles do expand during the brine method, so you should leave some space on top for them to expand.
- Another way you can mess up your Chef John’s Bread And Butter Pickle is by leaving the jar out in the open. You need to keep your jar in a dark, hidden place. If you keep them in direct sunlight, your pickles will spoil quickly.
- When I make the brine, I like to follow the proportions strictly. This creates a strong brine. If not, the water released by the cucumbers over time will dilute it, altering the pickles’ taste.
FAQs About Chef John’s Bread And Butter Pickles
Nutritional Serving Per Information
Chef John’s Bread and Butter Pickles taste fantastic, but they are not a healthy option. High in calories and salt, this should be consumed in moderation. To get deeper insights into this, take a look at the nutritional chart below:
| Calories | 1889 kcal |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Sodium | 20975 mg |
| Potassium | 1746 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 449 g |
| Sugar | 419 g |
| Protein | 11 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3 g |
| Vitamin A | 1250 IU |
| Fiber | 9 g |
| Vitamin C | 73 mg |
| Calcium | 316 mg |
| Iron | 6 mg |
However, on the brighter side, Chef John’s Bread And Butter Pickles are entirely vegan and vegetarian. They are also nut-free, soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and keto. Hence, most people can enjoy them without any restrictions.
Storing & Reheating This Recipe
Storing
- Countertop: Once my Chef John’s Bread And Butter Pickles are ready, I leave them on the countertop for 3-4 days. I keep them away from direct sunlight and close the lid tightly to prevent contamination and spoilage.
- Refrigeration: After 3-4 days have passed, I keep my Chef John Bread and Butter Pickles in the fridge for further storage. Keep the lid tightly closed to prevent any moisture from getting inside. This way, they can be stored for 3-4 weeks.
- Freezing: You can also freeze your Chef John’s Bread and Butter Pickles. They freeze well for up to nine months, so you can enjoy them whenever you want.
Reheating
- You must not reheat Chef John’s Bread and Butter Pickles. I let my frozen pickles thaw overnight before using them, and they do not require reheating.
What To Serve With This Recipe
So, your Chef John Bread and Butter Pickles are ready, and you want some serving suggestions. If yes, you can try them out with some Egg Benedict. Sprinkle chopped pickles on top of the egg and enjoy the deliciousness with every bite. If you are a salad person, you can also have Salads with bread, butter, and pickles on the side.
Have you ever tried bread-and-butter pickles with tuna? Give it a try; nothing else can beat this combination. You can also enjoy rolls with this recipe. Finally, to keep it simple, sip it with your favorite Juice and prepare to start your day.
Printable Version
Chef John’s Bread And Butter Pickle Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Lbs Pickling Or Other Firm Little Cucumbers
- ½ Yellow Onion Sliced
- 2 Red Jalapeno Pepper Sliced
- 3 Tablespoons Kosher Salt
- 2 Cups Sugar
- 2 Cups White Distilled Vinegar
- ¼ Cup Water
- 1 Tablespoon Mustard Seeds
- 1 Teaspoon Celery Seeds
- ⅛ Tsp Ground Cloves
- ½ Teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 Teaspoon Black Peppercorns
- 2 Cloves Garlic Sliced
Equipment
- Knife
- Bowl
- Spoon
- Saucepan
- Spatula
Instructions
- Combine cucumbers, onion, and peppers in the bowl. Coat the mixture with kosher salt. Now, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for two hours.
- Remove the bowl from the fridge and rinse the cucumber mixture in a colander under cold water for five minutes.
- Wash out all the salt and drain the mixture.
- Take a saucepan and stir in sugar, mustard seed, and celery seed.
- Now, add peppercorns and ground cloves.
- Furthermore, add turmeric and ground cloves to the same pan.
- Now, stir in the vinegar and mix it well.
- Before you turn on the flame, add some water as well.
- Simmer the brine over medium heat.
- After this, add the cucumber mixture to the brine.
- Let the mixture heat, and as soon as you see bubbles, switch off the heat.
- Transfer everything to a bowl and let it cool.
- Your Chef John’s Bread And Butter Pickle is ready to eat.
Video
Notes
- You can follow all the steps correctly but still mess up if you use a jar of the wrong size. Overfilling your jars with pickles will result in an improper brine, leading to a foul or uneven taste. Also, the pickles do expand during the brine method, so you should leave some space on top for them to expand.
- Another way you can mess up your Chef John’s Bread And Butter Pickle is by leaving the jar out in the open. You need to keep your jar in a dark, hidden place. If you keep them in direct sunlight, your pickles will spoil quickly.
- When I make the brine, I like to follow the proportions strictly. This creates a strong brine. If not, the water released by the cucumbers over time will dilute it, altering the pickles’ taste.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe ?Tag @thefoodxp on Instagram and Hashtag it #thefoodxp!More Chef John’s Recipes That You Can Try
Conclusion
Make Chef John’s Bread And Butter Pickle right away, and you can’t tell me that you didn’t enjoy this recipe. It is sweet, savory, and filled with crunches here and there. The taste will be absolutely something new that you are not used to.
If you have been having lazy mornings or lack energy for some reason, this breakfast idea will revive your energy. This dish puts me back on track whenever I am feeling low. So, try it out and tell me in the comments if it does the same for you.
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