Best Pickle Brine Spice Rub Recipes

BASIC PICKLE BRINE

Steps:

• Stir together 1 cup water and all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; cool 10 minutes. Pour over vegetables or fruits. Cover with a tight-fitting lid; chill 2 days. Store, covered, in refrigerator up to 2 months.

PICKLE POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss potatoes and carrots with vegetable oil on a rimmed baking sheet to coat. Sprinkle evenly with spice rub and ½ tsp. salt. Roast until vegetables are deeply browned, tender, and crisp on the exterior, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toss onion, celery, vinegar, and remaining 1 tsp. salt in a large bowl to combine. Let sit 10 minutes
• Meanwhile, whisk olive oil, mayonnaise, and mustard in a small bowl to combine. Mix in chicken; set aside.
• Add pickles, parsley, and hot roasted potatoes and carrots to bowl with onion mixture and toss to combine. Gently mix in reserved dressed chicken just to distribute.
• To serve, transfer to a platter or divide among plates.

PICKLE BRINE SPICE RUB

Steps:

• Toast coriander seeds in a small skillet over medium-high heat, tossing occasionally, until fragrant and slightly darkened in color, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a spice mill or mortar and pestle and let cool; coarsely grind. Transfer to an airtight container and mix in vinegar powder, dried dill, salt, celery seeds, and mustard powder; cover.
• Do ahead: Spice mix can be made 3 months ahead. Store at room temperature.

ALL-PURPOSE, FOOLPROOF PICKLE BRINE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a simmer over medium heat with the vinegar, sugar, salt, coriander, allspice, bay leaf, cinnamon and garlic. Take off the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
• Pour the warm liquid over the vegetables or fruit and let it cool at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate. Store, covered, in the refrigerator, for 2 to 3 weeks.

PICKLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• To make the cucumber variation: Wash and sterilize 3 quart-size jars. Toss cucumbers with 3 tablespoons salt, and place in a colander set over a bowl. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. Drain, rinse, and drain again. Divide cucumbers, garlic, and dill among jars. Divide pickling spices (recipe above) among jars. Bring pickling brine ingredients (recipe above) and 2 teaspoons salt to a boil in a medium saucepan, and pour over cucumbers. Let stand until cool. Cover, and refrigerate.
• To make the carrot variation: Wash and sterilize 2 quart-size jars. Bring pickling brine ingredients (recipe above) and 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add carrots, and return to a boil. Divide carrots with liquid evenly between jars. Cut about a 2-inch slit into side of each chile. Divide chiles, garlic, and pickling spices (recipe above) evenly between jars. Let stand until cool. Cover, and refrigerate.
• To make the beet variation: Wash and sterilize 2 quart-size jars and 1 half-quart-size jar. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Wrap beets in parchment-lined foil. Bake until tender, about 1 hour. Let cool slightly, then rub off skins; discard. Cut beets into 3/4-inch-thick wedges, and divide evenly among jars. Divide ginger slices, orange peels, chile slices, and pickling spices (recipe above) evenly between jars. Bring pickling brine ingredients (recipe above) and 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to a boil in a medium saucepan, and pour over beets. Let stand until cool. Cover, and refrigerate.

HOMEMADE PICKLING SPICE

Steps:

• Place mustard seeds, allspice berries, whole coriander seeds, and red pepper flakes into a small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake to combine. Add ground ginger to seeds and shake again. Sprinkle crumbled bay leaves over spice mixture and place cinnamon stick halves into the jar. Seal and shake to combine. Mixture can be stored in the tightly sealed jar for up to 1 month without loss of flavor.