Fire-and-Ice Pickles

Kool-Aid Pickles

Christmas Cranberries

Refrigerator Garden Pickles

Christmas Fruit Salad

Sweet 'n' Tangy Freezer Pickles

Bread and Butter Pickles

Christmas Meatballs

Christmas Day Chicken

Refrigerator Pickles

Easy Homemade Pickles

Homemade Christmas Jam

Jalapeno Bread & Butter Pickles

Pickled Peaches

Best Ever Sweet Pickles

Home Recipes Dishes & Beverages Edible Gifts

Christmas Pickles

Name: Christmas Pickles
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6-1/2 quarts.
Ingredients: 1 gallon whole dill pickles; 11-1/4 cups sugar; 1 cup white vinegar; 1 tablespoon mustard seed; 1 tablespoon whole cloves; 3 to 4 jalapeno peppers, chopped; 4 to 5 garlic cloves, minced; 4 to 5 whole cinnamon sticks; 1 pound whole candied cherries; 3 jars (15 ounces each) pearl onions, drained; 1 teaspoon olive oil

7 reviews

Contest Winner

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 10 min. Cook: 25 min. + chilling

Makes

6-1/2 quarts

Updated: May. 16, 2023

A dear family friend made these pickles for decades. I've adapted the recipe a bit over the years, but in my heart they are still “Dr. Rhodes’ pickles.” These morsels are delicious any time of year, but the green, red and white hues of the pickles, cherries and onions make them ideal for Christmas gift-giving—and it's a tasty twist on the classic Christmas pickle tradition. —Patricia Martin, Shelby

Christmas Pickles Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

1 gallon whole dill pickles
11-1/4 cups sugar
1 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon mustard seed
1 tablespoon whole cloves
3 to 4 jalapeno peppers, chopped
4 to 5 garlic cloves, minced
4 to 5 whole cinnamon sticks
1 pound whole candied cherries
3 jars (15 ounces each) pearl onions, drained
1 teaspoon olive oil

Directions

Drain pickles, reserving juice; set juice aside. Cut pickles into 1/2-in. slices; set aside. In a large stockpot, combine sugar, vinegar, mustard seed, cloves, peppers, garlic, cinnamon sticks and pickle juice.

Cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Discard cinnamon sticks.
In a large bowl, combine cherries, onions and pickle slices. Pour liquid over pickle mixture. Stir in oil.
Cover and refrigerate for 48 hours, stirring occasionally. Divide mixture among jars. Cover and store in the refrigerator up to 1 month.

Peppers (Hot)

Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Nutrition Facts

1/4 cup: 99 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 55mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.

Christmas Pickles

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition Facts

More from Taste of Home