Smoked Pickles

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Do you love pickles? Then imagine how delicious they would be smoked!

It will take your charcuterie board from good to EPIC! You don’t just have to use cucumber, you can use whatever you have in season! and the best thing about this smoked pickles recipe?

You can keep the pickles in the fridge and enjoy them for months.

What Type of Vegetables Do I Use for Smoked Pickles?

I am using the traditional cucumber today but you can pretty much pickle any vegetable! If you can dream it, you can do it!  

It’s the perfect way to use the surplus of whatever vegetables are in season. Buy up fresh and cheap, and pickle away.

Pickles will last several months when stored correctly.  But trust me, with the addition of a hint of smoke, they definitely won’t be around that long.

whole-smoked-pickle-recipe

What You Need for Smoked Pickles

Cucumbers
Dill
Chili flakes
Peppercorns (I’m using black, white, and pink, but any mix will do)
Garlic cloves
For the brine:
Water
White vinegar
Honey
Salt
Mason jars

smoked-pickles

Should I Smoke the Pickles Before or After Bottling?

That really comes down to what you have on hand.

If you want to make a batch of homemade pickles, throw them on the smoker before bottling. You’ll have an amazing pickle mix on hand whenever the urge to snack hits.

If you have a craving for smoked pickles and only have a pre-purchased jar of pickles on hand? That’s perfectly fine too.

Place the pickle slices and brine in a shallow dish, and smoke away on the grill. The pickle brine mixture will absorb the smoky goodness too!

smoked-pickles-recipe

How Long Will It Take to Smoke Pickles?

It will take 60 minutes to smoke your cucumbers.  Pickles don’t take long to smoke.

You want to touch them with a kiss of smoke flavor, not completely overwhelm them.

You also want to avoid overcooking the vegetables into a soggy mess.  Pickles are best with a bit of crunch in the vegetable.

smoked-dill-pickles

What Temperature Should You Smoke Pickles At?

You should smoke pickles at 230°F, you want to keep the temperatures low for smoked pickles.  

Setting the smoker at 225-250°F will give the best smoke, and avoid cooking or burning the vegetables.

brine-for-pickle-in-the-smoke

What Wood Chips Should I Use for Smoked Pickles?

Go for a mild flavor like apple wood or cherry wood. If you prefer a strong flavor I recommend using hickory or oak. 

How to Make Smoke Pickles at Home

This recipe will give you around 2 full pint jars of delicious smoked pickles.

Step 1 – Prepare the Cucumbers

Wash the cucumbers to remove any debris.

Step 2 – Smoke the Cucumbers

Place whole cucumbers, garlic, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, and fresh dill on a baking sheet
and place in the smoker.

Smoke at 230°F for 60 minutes.

Remove from the smoker and allow to cool.

smoked-pickle-bbq

Step 3 – Prepare the Pickle Brine

In a large pot, combine water, vinegar, salt, and honey and bring to boil, then turn off once the sugar and salt have completely dissolved.

Step 4 – Preparing the Pickles

prepping-cucumber-to-smoke-for-pickles

Cut cucumbers into spears and place them in the jars

Pour the hot pickling brine over the cucumbers, leaving about ½ inch of headroom in each jar
and close the lids.

Step 5 – Storing the Pickles

Leave the pickle jars in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.

This will give the flavors a chance to settle and marinate.

Settle in and enjoy the best-tasting pickles you’ve ever tried!

how-to-smoke-pickles

What to Serve Pickles With

Pickles go with everything from brisket to toasted cheese sandwiches. Here are some of my favorite combinations

Pork Shoulder Burnt Ends

Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Smoked Ham

Brown Sugar Smoked Salmon

Smoked Tomatoes

Smoked Spatchcock Turkey

Smoked Cauliflower

Smoked Pickles

Charlie
Are you looking to smoke your own pickles? This recipe is super simples and will turn out the tasties smoked pickles you have ever tasted
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Dinner, lunch, main, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American, Barbecue, bbq, dinner, grill, lunch
Servings 8 servings
Calories 189 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Pellet smoker
  • 2 Large mason jars

Ingredients
  

  • 7-8 medium cucumbers
  • 2-3 sprigs dill
  • 1 tbsp chili flakes
  • 1 tbsp peppercorns I’m using black, white, and pink, but any mix will do
  • 7-8 cloves garlic

For the brine:

  • 500 ml water
  • 500 ml white vinegar
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tbsp salt

Instructions
 

Step 1 – Prepare the Cucumbers

  • Wash the cucumbers to remove any debris.

Step 2 – Smoke the Cucumbers

  • Place whole cucumbers, garlic, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, and fresh dill on a baking sheet
  • and place in the smoker.
  • Smoke at 230°F for 60 minutes.
  • Remove from the smoker and allow to cool.

Step 3 – Prepare the Pickle Brine

  • In a large pot, combine water, vinegar, salt, and honey and bring to boil, then turn off once the sugar and salt have completely dissolved.

Step 4 – Preparing the Pickles

  • Cut cucumbers into spears and place them in the jars
  • Pour the hot pickling brine over the cucumbers, leaving about ½ inch of headroom in each jar
  • and close the lids.

Step 5 – Storing the Pickles

  • Leave the pickle jars in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
  • This will give the flavors a chance to settle and marinate.
  • Settle in and enjoy the best-tasting pickles you’ve ever tried!
Keyword smoked pickles

Smoke On!

Charlie

Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).

I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.

You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!

You can read more about me on our About Us page.

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