A refreshing and tangy condiment to add a burst of flavour to any meal, this cucumber pickle is one of the most straightforward pickling recipes to bring together crunch from fresh cucumbers and the zesty kiss of vinegar, spices, and a touch of sweetness as an excellent side dish to sandwiches, burgers, or Indian meals. Before proceeding with the pickling recipe, get the best cucumber texture using some firmer, fresher varieties, preferably the smaller ones. The cucumbers are washed and chopped into nice thin rounds or spears, whichever you prefer. Then, we have the pickling brine made of vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. You can use the white one because it provides a sharper flavour, whereas apple cider vinegar will give you a slightly sweeter, more complex taste. The boiled brine is then mixed with mustard seeds, dill, garlic, and red chilli flakes added into it. The prepared cucumbers are packed tightly into the sterilised jars. The hot brine is poured over the cucumbers to cover them fully. The jars are sealed and cooled at room temperature before refrigeration. This cucumber pickle recipe is best enjoyed after 24 hours, and the flavours improve with time. A crunchy, tangy pickle with a hint of sweetness and spice, perfect for adding flavour to your favourite dishes, is sure to be had. It's quick, easy, and a tasty way to preserve cucumbers and enjoy their fresh taste year-round!

• 2 large cucumbers
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Red chilli flakes

• Begin with fresh, firm cucumbers; regular cucumbers are fine, but for pickling, you may prefer the slightly smaller Persian or Kirby cucumbers.
• Cut the cucumbers to be sliced paper-thin so that they will soak up the pickling flavours right away.
• Slice them using a sharp knife, or you could use a mandoline slicer for perfectly uniform slices.
• If you prefer your cucumber pickles a bit crunchier, slice the cucumber a little thicker.
• Now that you've sliced your cucumbers put them in a mixing bowl.
• Now it's time to add the ingredients that will make your cucumber pickles tangy and spicy.
• First, add salt- the "yang"- to your cucumber mix.
• The recommended amount of salt added is one teaspoon. Salt will help cucumbers lose some of their moisture, making them slightly firmer in texture and amplifying their flavour.
• Use one teaspoon of sugar. Adding this is optional, but sugar balances out the vinegar content and makes everything taste a little nicer.
• Add a little heat if you wish by adding one teaspoon of red chilli flakes. If you want a less spicy pickle, you may not even have chilli flakes, or you can have a reduced amount.
• If you like spicy flavours, then add more according to taste.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric to that bowl.
• The turmeric doesn't only give the pickles a delicious golden colour but also a soft earthiness that complements well with other flavours.
• Add 2 to 3 Tbsp of vinegar over the sliced cucumber. White is a good addition to have that extra sharp, tangy taste, while apple cider vinegar tends towards having it sweeter or fruitier.
• Vinegar remains the primary base ingredient for any pickling process because it allows you to preserve the cucumbers and gives them that sour taste characteristic in pickles.
• To add even more depth of flavour, you can add some mustard seeds for a spicey pop, some fresh dill for herby freshness, or minced garlic for that garlicky bite.
• These are optional ingredients, but make the best-ever cucumber pickle.
• Once all the ingredients have been added, toss using your spoon or your hands until everything is mixed properly.
• The cucumber slices must be well coated with the spices, vinegar, and seasonings.
• Put the seasoned cucumber slices in a clean glass jar or container.
• Press them down so that the slices are fully submerged in the vinegar and seasoning mixture.
• This will ensure all cucumber slices absorb their flavours well.
• You could eat the cucumber pickles straight away, but letting them sit for a while in the fridge will help deepen the flavours to make it even more enjoyable to taste.
• Your fast cucumber pickles are now ready for serving. These zesty, crunchy pickles were meant to add just that kick to a wide variety of dishes.
• Serve them as a side to your favourite sandwich, burger, or taco, or use them to add freshness to a spicy curry or grilled meats.
• If you like experimenting with new ingredients, you can "personalise" your cucumber pickles to your liking.
• Add thinly sliced onions, bell peppers, or carrots for that pop of colour and slightly crunchy texture, or try out some herbs and spices, such as fennel seeds or coriander, for new flavours.
• It is a simple recipe of cucumber pickle, which is ideal for making use of fresh cucumbers in a new flavour.