Spicy Pickled Dilly Beans

Welcome to a pickle lover’s paradise with this tantalizing recipe for Spicy Dilly Beans! Bursting with flavor and a kick of heat, these pickled green beans are like a taste explosion in every crunchy bite. Whether you’re a fan of spicy snacks or looking to add a zesty twist to your meals, these dilly beans are sure to become a pantry staple.

Picture this: crisp green beans infused with garlic, dill seed, and fiery red chile flakes, all swimming in a tangy brine that will leave your taste buds tingling with delight. This recipe strikes the perfect balance between piquant and savory, making it a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire. From garnishing cocktails to elevating cheese boards, these spicy dilly beans are a surefire way to impress your guests and elevate any dish.

So, if you find yourself with an abundance of green beans or simply crave a flavorful snack with a kick, look no further than these Spicy Dilly Beans. Whip up a batch, share them with friends and family, and let the compliments roll in. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will have you reaching for these zesty pickles time and time again!

Quick Benefits

• Adds a tangy, zesty flavor to meals and snacks
• Can be customized to suit individual spice preferences
• Long shelf life when properly sealed and stored
• Versatile for use in cocktails, appetizers, salads, and as a cheese board accompaniment

Why You’ll Love This Spicy Pickled Dilly Beans Recipe

• Flavor Explosion: These spicy dilly beans offer a perfect blend of tangy, crunchy, and spicy flavors that will awaken your taste buds with every bite.
• Versatile Snack: Enjoy them straight from the jar as a flavorful snack or serve them as a zesty accompaniment to sandwiches or charcuterie boards for a burst of flavor.
• Homemade Goodness: Impress your friends and family with these homemade dilly beans that make a thoughtful and delicious gift, perfect for any occasion.
• Personalization: Easily adjust the level of spiciness to suit your taste preferences, making them a versatile option for everyone.
• Long-lasting Enjoyment: Sealed and stored properly, these dilly beans can last up to a year, with their flavor only getting better over time, ensuring you can enjoy them for months to come.
• Creative Culinary Uses: Elevate your cocktails with these dilly beans as garnishes, add a zing to salads, or pair them with cheeses for a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.

Ingredients for Spicy Pickled Dilly Beans

Main Ingredients

• 3 pounds green beans
• 4 tablespoons pickling salt
• 2.5 cups water
• 5 teaspoons dill seed
• 5 medium cloves garlic
• 5 teaspoons red chile flakes
• 2.5 cups white vinegar

Pro Tips for Spicy Pickled Dilly Beans

For the best results, choose fresh, firm, and unblemished green beans. Ensure they are trimmed evenly to fit snugly in the jars, creating a visually appealing final product.

Feel free to adjust the spiciness of the dilly beans by reducing or increasing the amount of red chili flakes to suit your taste preferences. Remember that the heat level will intensify over time as the beans pickle, so keep this in mind when deciding on the amount of chili flakes to use.

To preserve the green beans effectively without clouding the brine or altering the flavor, be sure to use pickling salt in the recipe. Properly sealed and stored jars in a cool, dark place can keep your dilly beans fresh and flavorful for up to a year, with the flavor improving over the first few months.

How to Make Spicy Pickled Dilly Beans

Step 1: Prepare boiling water bath

Prepare a water bath and simmer lids in a saucepan.

Step 2: Wash and trim green beans

Thoroughly clean the green beans and trim to fit in jars, cutting in half if needed.

Step 3: Prepare brine

In a saucepan, bring white vinegar, water, and pickling salt to a boil.

Step 4: Pack jars with beans and spices

Fill the jars tightly with green beans, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace. Add 1 garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of dill seeds, and 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes to each jar.

Step 5: Pour brine and remove bubbles

Pour the hot brine over the beans, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Use a chopstick to eliminate air bubbles.

Step 6: Seal and process jars

After wiping the rims clean, place the lids and rings on the jars and process them in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.

Storage Tips

Once processed and sealed properly, these spicy dilly beans can be stored in a cool, dark place like a pantry or basement for 12-18 months. The flavor of the dilly beans actually improves over the first few months. After opening the jars, store them in the refrigerator where they will keep for about 3 months. Be sure to discard any jars with bulging lids, unusual odors, or mold without tasting them.

To maintain the quality of the dilly beans, it’s important to use fresh, firm, and unblemished green beans. Trim them evenly so they fit snugly in the jars. Additionally, you can adjust the level of spiciness by reducing or increasing the amount of red chili flakes used in the recipe. If you prefer a milder flavor, consider reducing the chili flakes to 1/2 teaspoon per jar. For those who enjoy extra heat, adding a small slice of jalapeño to each jar can enhance the spiciness. Remember to use pickling salt to preserve the green beans without clouding the brine or altering its flavor. Fresh or dried dill can be substituted for dill seed, but dill seed provides the most traditional flavor for these zesty pickles.

Ingredient Substitutions

For a milder version of these spicy dilly beans, you can adjust the level of heat by reducing the amount of red chile flakes. If you prefer a less spicy pickle, consider using only a small amount of chile flakes or omitting them entirely. Alternatively, for those who enjoy extra heat, you can add a small slice of jalapeño to each jar along with the other ingredients to increase the spiciness level.

If you do not have dill seed on hand, you can substitute it with fresh dill heads. One dill head per jar can provide a similar flavor profile to dill seed. While fresh dill is a great substitute, dried dill can also be used in a pinch. However, keep in mind that dill seed offers the most traditional dill flavor for this recipe. Yellow wax beans can be a suitable replacement for green beans if you prefer a different color or flavor profile. Additionally, a mix of green and yellow beans can add visual appeal to the jars of dilly beans. Experiment with different bean varieties to customize the appearance of your pickles.

Serving Suggestions

These Spicy Dilly Beans are a versatile addition to your pantry. Serve them as a zesty garnish in cocktails like Bloody Marys for a flavorful kick, or wrap them with prosciutto for a tasty appetizer. For a twist on classic dishes, chop these tangy beans and add them to potato salad or tuna salad to elevate the flavors. They also make a colorful and crunchy addition to cheese boards, complementing rich cheeses with their tangy crunch.

For a visually appealing option, try mixing green and yellow beans in each jar before pickling. The colorful combination will not only look beautiful but also provide a variety of flavors in each bite. Adjust the spiciness level by either reducing or increasing the red chili flakes to suit your taste preferences. Whether enjoyed as a snack straight from the jar or incorporated into various dishes, these homemade dilly beans are sure to add a burst of flavor to any meal.

FAQs for Spicy Pickled Dilly Beans

Can I adjust the spiciness level of the dilly beans?

Yes, you can adjust the spiciness level by reducing or increasing the amount of red chili flakes used in the recipe. For milder beans, you can reduce the chile flakes to 1/2 teaspoon per jar. If you prefer extra-spicy beans, consider adding a small slice of jalapeño to each jar.

Why is pickling salt specifically recommended for this recipe?

Pickling salt is recommended for this recipe because it helps preserve the green beans without clouding the brine or altering its flavor. It is a pure salt without any additives like iodine or anti-caking agents, making it ideal for pickling and preserving vegetables.

How long can the properly sealed and stored jars of dilly beans last?

When stored in a cool, dark place like a pantry or basement, the properly sealed jars of dilly beans can last up to a year. The flavor of the dilly beans actually improves over the first few months of storage. After opening, store any remaining jars in the refrigerator where they’ll keep for about 3 months.

Can I use fresh dill instead of dill seed in this recipe?

Yes, you can use fresh dill as a substitute for dill seed in this recipe. While fresh or dried dill can work in a pinch, dill seed provides the most traditional dill flavor. If using fresh dill, you can use one dill head per jar for a similar flavor profile.

Conclusion

Spicy Dilly Beans are truly a delightful treat that never fail to impress with their bold flavors and crunchy texture. Whether you’re a seasoned pickling pro or a newbie to the world of preserving, this recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to add a zesty kick to their meals. The combination of tangy vinegar, aromatic dill, pungent garlic, and fiery chile flakes creates a symphony of flavors that will elevate any dish they accompany.

From casual lunches to elegant gatherings, these Spicy Dilly Beans are a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire. Experiment with different spice levels and bean varieties to make them your own signature creation. And don’t forget to share these flavorful pickles with friends and family – they make for a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift that will surely be appreciated. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to savor the mouthwatering goodness of these Spicy Dilly Beans. Happy pickling!

Spicy Pickled Dilly Beans

“Transform ordinary green beans into tangy, zesty pickles with a kick of spice in these flavorful Spicy Dilly Beans – perfect for sandwiches, charcuterie, or snacking.”

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time30 Minutes

Cook Time10 Minutes

Total Time40 Minutes

CuisineAmerican

Skill LevelEasy

Servings5 pint jars

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 3 pounds green beans
• 4 tablespoons pickling salt
• 2.5 cups water
• 5 teaspoons dill seed
• 5 medium cloves garlic
• 5 teaspoons red chile flakes
• 2.5 cups white vinegar

Instructions

1. Prepare boiling water bath: Prepare a water bath and simmer lids in a saucepan.
2. Wash and trim green beans: Thoroughly clean the green beans and trim to fit in jars, cutting in half if needed.
3. Prepare brine: In a saucepan, bring white vinegar, water, and pickling salt to a boil.
4. Pack jars with beans and spices: Fill the jars tightly with green beans, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace. Add 1 garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of dill seeds, and 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes to each jar.
5. Pour brine and remove bubbles: Pour the hot brine over the beans, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Use a chopstick to eliminate air bubbles.
6. Seal and process jars: After wiping the rims clean, place the lids and rings on the jars and process them in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.