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    Home » Simple Vegan Recipes

    Green Bean Refrigerator Pickles

    Published: May 29, 2023 · Modified: Aug 21, 2023 by Becky Striepe · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Recipe Video Print
    hand picking up a jar of refrigerator pickled green beans
    hand picking up a jar of refrigerator pickled green beans, text overlay
    image collage showing the green beans and jalapeños in the jar, adding onions to the jar, the brine in the pan, and the jar of green beans with the brine poured over them

    Quick, easy, and slightly-spicy refrigerator pickled green beans are perfect on salads, sandwiches, or as a garnish for your next bloody Mary.

    hand picking up a jar of refrigerator pickled green beans
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • How to make refrigerator pickled green beans
    • Helpful tips
    • Storage directions
    • Frequently asked questions
    • More summer veggie recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    If you're new to pickling -- especially if the idea intimidates you -- refrigerator pickles are a great place to start. You don't need to sterilize your equipment, be careful about acidity, or do a hot water bath.

    Unlike proper pickles, refrigerator pickles have to live in the fridge. They're not preserved like hot water bath canned pickles, but they will last one to three weeks in the fridge. If you've been wanting to make your own pickles, these Green Bean Refrigerator Pickles are a great starting point!

    Ingredients and substitutions

    • green beans - For pickling! Trim or snap off the ends.
    • Vidalia onion - This sweet Georgia onion is perfect for pickling, but you can use other sweet onions. You can use red onion, but be prepared for your pickles to turn pink!
    • jalapeno - If you don't want spicy pickles, you can remove the seeds and/or veins from the jalapeño or omit it completely.
    • apple cider vinegar - This is the best vinegar for these pickles.
    • water - You want to dilute the vinegar a little, so your brine won't be too acidic.
    • salt - Salt is a crucial brine ingredient that you don't want to reduce or omit. It helps preserve the green beans and give them that good, pickled flavor.
    • garlic - We're keeping this brine simple, just seasoning it with garlic. If you want to turn these into dilly beans, add a handful of fresh dill to the brine after boiling it.
    image collage showing the green beans and jalapeños in the jar, adding onions to the jar, the brine in the pan, and the jar of green beans with the brine poured over them

    How to make refrigerator pickled green beans

    Divide the green beans, onion slices, and jalapeno slices between two pine-sized mason jars. Try to get an even mix of jalapeno and onions in both jars.

    Now, it's brine time!

    In a small saucepan, combine the brine ingredients. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat.

    Ladle the hot brine over the green beans mixture in the jars. When they're cool enough to handle, refrigerate until you're ready to serve.

    Helpful tips

    • I like to snap my green beans, because that way you can pick them over and discard any rubbery ones, which aren't ideal for pickling. You can save a lot of time by trimming the ends off with a knife, if you're pressed for time.
    • You can eat refrigerator pickled green beans immediately, but they just get better and better the longer they sit. I try to make them a day ahead, if possible.

    Storage directions

    Once they're cool enough to handle, close your jars and place them in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to three weeks.

    Frequently asked questions

    Do I have to wait until the next day to eat refrigerator pickles?

    Once your jars cool down, you have a decision to make: Can you wait?
    These pickles really start hitting their stride the day after you make them. If you can wait, I highly recommend sticking them in the fridge to marinate for a day before you serve them.

    If you absolutely can't wait, though, I totally get it. Feel free to dive into those pickles day-of! Just know that they'll get more flavorful with time.

    Is it best to trim green beans or snap them?

    Trimming green beans with a knife is definitely faster, but I do prefer snapping them instead. It takes quite a bit longer, but it's a good way to sort through your green beans and find any that are rubbery and wilted. You want crunchy green beans for pickling!

    What is a brine?

    A brine is just the word for the vinegar-salt mixture that you use to make pickles. You can season your brine with lots of things like sugar and fresh or dried herbs and spices. A brine can be used to preserve other foods, as well.

    More summer veggie recipes

    • quick pickled carrots in a mason jar
      Quick Pickled Carrots
    • plate of vegan jalapeño poppers with other party foods
      Pimento Cheese Jalapeño Poppers
    • oven roasted cherry tomatoes in the baking pan, after baking
      Basil-Garlic Oven Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
    • Frizzled green beans almondine is a simple, 6-ingredient side dish that takes around 10 minutes to make.
      Frizzled Green Beans Almondine with Black Peppercorns

    📖 Recipe

    hand picking up a jar of refrigerator pickled green beans

    Refrigerator Pickled Green Beans

    Quick, easy, and slightly-spicy refrigerator pickled green beans are perfect on salads, sandwiches, or as a garnish for your next bloody Mary.
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Condiment, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Keyword: green bean refrigerator pickles, pickled green beans, refrigerator pickled green beans
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 18kcal
    Author: Becky Striepe

    Ingredients

    The Veggies

    • 3 cups green beans - ends snapped off
    • 1 cup sliced Vidalia onions
    • 1 jalapeno - sliced thinly

    The Brine

    • 2 cups apple cider vinegar
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 tablespoon salt
    • 4 cloves garlic - minced
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    Prepare the Veggies

    • Divide the green beans, onion slices, and jalapeno slices between two pint-sized mason jars. Try to get an even mix of jalapeno and onions in both jars.

    Make the Brine

    • In a small saucepan, combine the brine ingredients. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat.
    • Ladle the hot brine over the green beans mixture in the jars. When they're cool enough to handle, refrigerate until you're ready to serve.

    Video

    Notes

    For dilly beans, stir a handful of fresh dill into the brine after boiling.
    These taste best if you chill them for 24 hours before serving, but you can technically eat them the second they're cool enough to handle.
    Once they're cool enough to handle, close your jars and place them in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to 3 weeks.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Refrigerator Pickled Green Beans
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    18
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    0.3
    g
    0
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    0.05
    g
    0
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.05
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    0.2
    g
    Sodium
     
    440
    mg
    18
    %
    Potassium
     
    77
    mg
    2
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    3
    g
    1
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    0.5
    g
    1
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    143
    IU
    3
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    3
    mg
    4
    %
    Calcium
     
    12
    mg
    1
    %
    Iron
     
    0.3
    mg
    2
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe? Share your photo!Mention @GlueAndGlitter on Instagram or Twitter!

    About Becky Striepe

    Headshot of Becky Striepe in front of a teal wall

    Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

    Learn more about me >>>

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Becky

      September 03, 2009 at 10:14 am

      Yes!!!! Once Fall show craziness is over, I want to make that happen again! Can we?

      Reply
    2. Annie

      August 05, 2009 at 6:51 pm

      Thanks so much for this post! I've been thinking of pickling my green beans when they came in and I had no clue were to start.

      Also, I loved your recent aprons and lunch kits! They all came out wonderful, just like everything else you touch. ;)

      Reply
    3. Jes

      August 05, 2009 at 2:27 pm

      Awesome pickles! I've never tried to pickle before but those green beans look so tasty!

      Reply
    4. Becky

      August 05, 2009 at 1:55 pm

      Awesome! I meant to update the post, but Liz was saying last night that she has now tried making them blanching and without, and she prefers the unblanched version. Laziness for the win!

      Reply
    5. jessica dodd

      August 05, 2009 at 1:21 pm

      matt sent me this link, i've been searching far and wide for pickled green beans after having them in my bloody mary in new orleans. i'm excited to try this recipe, thanks guys :)

      Reply

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    About Me

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    Hi! My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”). I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here. → READ MORE

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