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.
Table of contents
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
What to Serve Pickles With
Pickles go with everything from brisket to toasted cheese sandwiches. Here are some of my favorite combinations
Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Smoked Ham
Smoked Pickles
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!
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I am head taste tester at Simply Meat Smoking! I love it grilling, smoking, and getting out in the yard with the kids! The family also love to test all my recipes (especially my EXTRA CRISPY pulled pork, smoky pork loin, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill)
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 adventures with you!
You can read more on our About Us page.
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