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Homemade spicy pickles in a ball canning jar
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How to Make Spicy Pickles from Store Bought

These are perhaps the easiest and best spicy pickles you can make at home. This is not a recipe for pickling cucumbers, but rather a method for how to make spicy pickles from store bought dill pickles. Quick, easy and full of flavor, these unique Homemade Sweet and Spicy Pickles will be a staple in your refrigerator.
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Resting time 2 hours
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 20
Calories 157kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 46-oz jars whole dill pickles drained
  • 4 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce Tabasco works well here
  • 1 tablespoon dehydrated minced garlic Or onion flakes, see note below.
  • 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper

Instructions

  • Drain and discard the pickling juice from the dill pickles.
  • Slice the pickles in thick, nice size chips, (larger than quarter-inch, less than half-inch) and place in a large bowl.
  • Add remaining ingredients and stir to mix. Allow to rest for about 2 hours. Stir from the bottom several times. The sugar will dissolve and the pickles will produce its own liquid.
  • Once the sugar is dissolved, place the chips in jars distributing the liquid among the jars. Wipe rims with a clean we cloth, seal and refrigerate for 3 or 4 days before enjoying and gift giving.

Notes

  • Dehydrated Garlic Flakes, or Dehydrated Onion Flakes: Some brand of Kosher Dills can already have a strong garlic flavor. Whereas, pickles that are not Kosher will not. Use either garlic flakes or onion ... or a little bit of both.
Tip: Save That Pickle Brine. I've never made them, but use the pickle brine to make chicken wings. Check out my friend Nick's recipe for Pickle Brined Chicken Wings.
Tip: The sugar liquid created from these pickles is very sticky. Use a clean damp cloth to wipe the rims of the jars before placing on the lids. This will keep the lids from sticking when ready for use.

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 9mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg