Pickle brine recipe/question

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Rajun Gardener
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Pickle brine recipe/question

#1

Post: # 33781Unread post Rajun Gardener
Tue Nov 10, 2020 4:44 pm

What's the least amount of salt and vinegar brine I can make for pickles?

I made pickled okra last night and tasted some today, it's to much vinegar and salt for me. Will it mellow out if I let it sit?
Today I'm making cucumber pickles if that makes a difference.
Here's the brine recipe I used.
4C=H2O
2C=vinegar
1/2C=canning salt
1/4C=sugar
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friedgreen51
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Re: Pickle brine recipe/question

#2

Post: # 33792Unread post friedgreen51
Tue Nov 10, 2020 6:45 pm

Be careful on reducing the vinegar too much. The acid in the vinegar is what keeps bacteria from growing. This article says 2/3 vinegar to 1/3 water ratio. Also be sure to use pickling salt or any non-iodized salt.
https://www.mountainfeed.com/blogs/lear ... 20spoilage.

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Re: Pickle brine recipe/question

#3

Post: # 33794Unread post Rajun Gardener
Tue Nov 10, 2020 6:57 pm

friedgreen51 wrote: Tue Nov 10, 2020 6:45 pm Be careful on reducing the vinegar too much. The acid in the vinegar is what keeps bacteria from growing. This article says 2/3 vinegar to 1/3 water ratio. Also be sure to use pickling salt or any non-iodized salt.
https://www.mountainfeed.com/blogs/lear ... 20spoilage.
Thanks, I edited my original post to include the canning salt.
Zone: 9A
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Re: Pickle brine recipe/question

#4

Post: # 33796Unread post worth1
Tue Nov 10, 2020 7:01 pm

The amount of salt is insanity.
No wonder you dont care for them.
Try the Ball Blue book recipe and see what you think.
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You might as well be arguing with a cat.

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Re: Pickle brine recipe/question

#5

Post: # 33798Unread post Rajun Gardener
Tue Nov 10, 2020 7:20 pm

Send a link or post the recipe. I looked and found this, which one do I use?
https://ucanr.edu/sites/ucmgnapa/files/265533.pdf
Zone: 9A
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Re: Pickle brine recipe/question

#6

Post: # 33800Unread post worth1
Tue Nov 10, 2020 7:24 pm

Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.

You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.

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Re: Pickle brine recipe/question

#7

Post: # 33801Unread post Rajun Gardener
Tue Nov 10, 2020 7:28 pm

Thanks, is that gonna work for pickles too?
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Re: Pickle brine recipe/question

#8

Post: # 33803Unread post worth1
Tue Nov 10, 2020 7:40 pm

I have no idea I ferment pickles.
As for the okra I also add habanero peppers for heat.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.

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You might as well be arguing with a cat.

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Re: Pickle brine recipe/question

#9

Post: # 33820Unread post worth1
Wed Nov 11, 2020 6:27 am

Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.

You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.

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Re: Pickle brine recipe/question

#10

Post: # 33821Unread post worth1
Wed Nov 11, 2020 6:35 am

The above link explains a lot about water vinegar ratio.
I also use citric acid in place of vinegar many times.
And lime juice.
Can't remember the measurements for replacement and have to figure it out or look it up.
In the culinary circles citric acid is sometimes called sour salt.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.

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Re: Pickle brine recipe/question

#11

Post: # 33824Unread post Rajun Gardener
Wed Nov 11, 2020 7:36 am

I should've also mentioned these are refrigerator pickles.

I ended up using 2C of vinegar to 5 C of water, it still has a vinegar bite but not too bad. I tested the PH and it's at 4.2. After reading the last link the PH should be below 3.5 so I just dumped the brine into a bowl and added vinegar till it dropped to 3.2. That was 1/2C of vinegar to each pint jar of brine.

I'll play with the recipe on the next batch as I've read the sugar should combat the vinegar bite and noticed many recipes with just a TBS of salt and that alone should make it better. The cloudy brine on the left is a result of adding crab boil seasoning to the jar for extra flavor. Just playing around at this point.
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Re: Pickle brine recipe/question

#12

Post: # 33829Unread post worth1
Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:42 am

One tablespoon citric acid per cup of water equivalent to one up vinegar 5% acidity.
From what I have read.
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