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Learn the secrets of how to make amazing Refrigerator Dilly Beans. This easy recipe for refrigerator pickled beans involves zero canning and will help you “put up” the summer bounty in a delicious and snackable way.
Dilly beans are one of those foods that I have a hard time controlling myself around once I get started. They’re so crunchy, delicious, and snackable that you’ll just want to keep eating them.
At least they’re a vegetable, right? Surely vegetable binging can’t be bad.
What Kind of Beans Should I Use for Dilly Beans?
Use bush or pole beans that are fairly uniform in size. I like to pick beans no wider than a pencil. The beans inside haven’t yet developed and become tough, and you’re going to get an amazing crunchy pickled product as a result.
Do not use beans labeled “petite haricot verts”, which is French for “makes crappy dilly beans”. I think. I don’t know, I took American Sign Language in high school.
Have leftover beans and are running out of fridge space? Check out this post on how to can green beans for a shelf-stable option.
How Do You Use Dilly Beans?
Fresh eating (obvs), on air fryer turkey burgers, in a salad, a crudites platter, or a cheese and meat tray are all wonderful ways to use up this awesome refrigerator pickled green bean bounty.
So Can I Can This Dilly Bean recipe?
This recipe is for refrigerator dilly beans. These beans are NOT shelf stable and must be stored in the fridge. They should not be canned as the recipe is written.
If you would like a safe method for canning/preserving dilly beans, the Ball Blue Book of Canning is my favorite trusted canning resource.
How Long Do You Have to Wait To Eat Dilly Beans?
Allow the jars to sit in the fridge for two days before consuming. But um, if you’re anything like me you may need to do a few hundred test bites before those two days are up!
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes:
- Use the freshest beans you can find; farmer’s markets and backyard gardens are a great source for freshly-picked beans. The fresher the beans, the crispier the finished product.
- On average, one pound of beans = one quart of dilly beans.
- Use regular mouth jars if possible. The shoulders/neck of the jars keep the beans in place. And lean those jars on the side when stuffing the beans in. It helps you pack them in better.
- The dilly beans will keep in the fridge for 3-6 months.
- You do not need to sterilize the jars as if you were going to can them. But do make sure they’re clean!
Refrigerator Dilly beans WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS
One serving of Refrigerator Dilly Beans has 1 WW Freestyle SmartPoints.
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Make the Brine
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In a saucepan, bring water, vinegar, salt, sugar, and garlic to a boil.
1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup water, 2 tbsp sugar, 1.5 tsp kosher salt, 2 cloves garlic
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Once the mixture has boiled and the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat, set aside and allow it to come to room temperature.
Blanching the Green Beans
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Bring ~2 quarts of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
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Add the green beans and allow them to cook for 1 minute.
2 pounds green beans
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Drain green beans and immediately put in a bowl of ice water for 5 minutes. Drain the beans again and set aside.
ice water
Assemble the Dilly Beans
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Equally divide onions, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, and optional chilies in the bottom of clean jars.
1/2 cup onion, 1/2 tsp black peppercorns, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 2 small chilies
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Add beans to the jars. Tuck some of the dill amongst the beans.
4 sprigs fresh dill
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Pour the brine over the beans, put a lid on the jars and keep them on the counter for 12 hours.
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After 12 hours, transfer the jars to the fridge. Allow them to sit in the fridge for 2 days before consuming.
- Use the freshest beans you can find; farmer’s markets are a great source for just-picked beans. The fresher the beans, the crispier the finished product.
- On average, one pound of beans = one quart of dilly beans.
- Use regular mouth jars if possible. The shoulders/neck of the jars keep the beans in place.
- This recipe is not safe for canning.
Calories: 52kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 220mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 660IUVitamin C: 12.1mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
