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Lime Pickle Cucumber
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5 from 1 vote

Old Fashioned Cucumber Lime Pickles (with Pickling Lime)

Old fashioned lime pickles use pickling lime as a firming agent, which results in the crispest pickles imaginable!
Prep Time1 day 12 hours
Cook Time45 minutes
Additional Time30 minutes
Total Time1 day 13 hours 15 minutes
Course: pickles
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cucumber pickles
Servings: 40 Servings, Makes 5 Quarts (or 10 pints)
Author: Ashley Adamant

Ingredients

For the Pre-Soak

  • 7 lbs Pickling Cucumbers 3-4 inches long (about 40)
  • 1 cup Pickling Lime
  • 2 Gallons Water plus more to rinse

Pickling Brine

  • 8 Cups White Vinegar 5% Acidity
  • 8 Cups Sugar
  • 1 Tbsp Canning Salt
  • 1 Tbsp Pickling Spice

Instructions

  • Wash and scrub the pickling cucumbers, and then remove the stems and cut off the blossom ends.
  • Slice cucumbers into 1/4 inch (or thinner) slices.
  • Mix the pickling lime in water to create a soaking solution.
  • Place the cucumber slices into a non-reactive container (glass, ceramic, stainless steel, plastic, etc.). Avoid aluminum or copper containers, as the lime will react with the container, ruining the container and the pickles.
  • Pour the pickling lime solution over the cucumber slices, and weigh them down with a plate to ensure they're completely submerged.
  • Soak the cucumbers for about 12 hours, or overnight. Stir occasionally, if possible, to keep the lime evenly distributed in the water.
  • After the soak, pour off the soaking water and discard. Rinse the cucumbers 3 times in clean water, making sure that you remove all the lime from their surfaces and the container.
  • Soak the cucumber slices in clean ice water for 3 hours to chill them and remove any last bits of extra pickling lime.
  • Drain and discard the soaking water.
  • Prepare a pickling brine by mixing the brine ingredients (vinegar, sugar, etc). Unlike other pickling recipes, the brine should be room temperature at this point.
  • Pour the room-temperature brine over the prepared cucumber slices and let them stand for about 6 hours, or overnight. Cover to keep out pests, and refrigerate if possible.
  • After the brine soak, drain the brine into a stock pot (straining out the cucumber slices for now) and bring it to a boil. Turn the heat down to a simmer and simmer the brine (without the cucumbers) for 35 minutes.
  • While the brine is simmering, prepare a water bath canner by pre-heating it for raw pack (about 140 degrees F) and also prepare jars, lids and rings.
  • Pack the cucumber slices into prepared jars. They can be packed quite tightly as they'll shrink during canning. Be sure to leave 1/2 inch headspace.
  • Once the brine has simmered for 35 minutes, pour the brine over the top of the cucumber slices in the jars, maintaining 1/2 inch headspace.
  • Debubble the jars, adjust headspace, and seal with 2-part canning lids to finger tight. Load the jars into the pre-heated canner.
  • Bring the canner up to a full rolling boil, and when boiling, process the jars for 10 minutes (for pints) or 15 minutes (for quarts), adjusting for altitude.
  • After canning, allow the jars to cool on a towel on the counter to room temperature and check seals. Store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator for short term use, but sealed jars can be stored on the pantry shelf.
  • Properly canned and sealed jars will maintain peak quality for 12 to 18 months, and be safe to eat so long as they're sealed. Refrigerate after opening. Allow at least 2-3 days after processing before tasting to allow the cucumbers to properly pickle. They'll be best after 2 weeks.

Notes

Altitude Adjustments for Canning Lime Pickles

If you're under 1,000 feet in elevation, the processing times for lime pickles are 10 minutes for pint jars and 15 minutes for quart jars.  Above 1,000 feet, the times are as follows:
  • For 1,001 to 3,000 feet - Use 15 minutes for pints and 20 minutes for quarts
  • For 3,001 to 6,000 feet - Use 20 minutes for pints and 25 minutes for quarts
  • Above 6,000 feet - Use 25 minutes for pints and 30 minutes for quarts

Nutrition

Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 187mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.2mg