Keto Sweet Pickles: A Crunchy, Tangy, and Guilt-Free Delight

For those following a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle, finding suitable condiments can be a challenge. Many store-bought options are loaded with sugar and unhealthy oils. However, with a little creativity, you can enjoy your favorite flavors without derailing your diet. Keto sweet pickles offer a satisfyingly crunchy, tangy, and sweet alternative to traditional pickles, perfect for topping burgers, hot dogs, or enjoying as a snack.

Why Keto Pickles?

Traditional sweet pickles rely heavily on sugar for their signature taste. This makes them a no-go for anyone watching their carbohydrate intake. Keto sweet pickles solve this problem by using sugar substitutes like Stevia, Erythritol, or Swerve. These sweeteners provide the desired sweetness without the blood sugar spike.

The Science Behind the Crunch

One of the biggest concerns when making sugar-free pickles is maintaining that satisfying crunch. Sugar alcohols like Erythritol and Xylitol tend to soften pickles over time, resulting in a mushy texture. To avoid this, Stevia is often recommended as the preferred sweetener for canning pickles.

Key Ingredients for Keto Sweet Pickles

• Cucumbers: The star of the show! Opt for pickling cucumbers, which have a lighter-colored skin and are shorter and blockier than regular cucumbers. Baby English cucumbers or small pickling cucumbers from a farmer's market are also excellent choices. Avoid waxy cucumbers with large, tough seeds.
• Vinegar: Vinegar is crucial for pickling, providing the necessary acidity to preserve the cucumbers and create that tangy flavor. Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar are great options.
• Sweetener: A keto-friendly sweetener is essential. Stevia, Erythritol, or Swerve are popular choices. Adjust the amount to your desired level of sweetness.
• Spices: Pickling spice blends, celery salt, and garlic powder are commonly used to flavor sweet pickles. For a clear brine, consider placing the spices in a muslin bag.
• Salt: Salt not only adds flavor but also helps to draw out moisture from the cucumbers, contributing to their crispness. Kosher salt is a good option.

Basic Recipe for Keto Sweet Pickles

This recipe uses a no-cook method, relying on refrigeration to pickle the cucumbers.

Ingredients:

• 1 large English cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup Sukrin Gold, Swerve, or Erythritol (or sweetener of choice, to taste)
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• 1 small red chile pepper, sliced (optional, for heat)
• 5-6 sprigs of fresh dill or fennel fronds

Instructions:

1. Prepare the pickle juice by mixing the vinegar and lime juice in a small saucepan. Heat until just hot, but not boiling.
2. Add the sweetener and salt, stirring until completely dissolved.
3. Place the sliced cucumber, chile pepper (if using), and dill or fennel fronds into a sealable jar.
4. Pour the warm pickle juice over the cucumbers, ensuring they are submerged.
5. Seal the jar and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. For best flavor, allow the pickles to marinate for at least 24 hours.

Variations and Additions

• Spicy: Add sliced jalapenos or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
• Extra Crunch: Include celery seeds or caraway seeds for added texture.
• Onion: Add thinly sliced sweet onion, keeping in mind that it will slightly increase the carb count.
• Dill: For a dill pickle variation, increase the amount of fresh dill or add dill seed to the brine.

Seven-Day Sweet Pickle Recipe (Keto-Friendly)

This recipe requires a bit more time but results in a classic sweet pickle flavor.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Ingredients:

• 2.5 lbs pickling cucumbers
• 1/3 cup pickling lime
• 2.5 quarts filtered water
• 3 cups vinegar
• Heaping 1 teaspoon pickling spices
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sweetener (such as Erythritol or a blend)
• 1 teaspoon Stevia (or other sweetener, to taste)
• Heaping teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions:## Day 1:

1. Wash pickles to remove dirt and prickles. Place whole pickles in a large crock or stainless steel kettle.
2. Dissolve lime in water. Add cut cucumbers to lime solution.
3. Pour boiling water over pickles until they are completely covered.
4. Let set at room temperature. Refrigerate overnight.

Days 2, 3, 4:

1. Each day, drain water off of pickles. Discard water.
2. Fill a kettle with fresh water and bring to a boil.
3. Pour over pickles until completely covered.
4. Let set at room temperature.

Day 5:

1. Drain the water off the pickles. Discard water.
2. Cut the pickles into 1/2 inch pieces, discarding the blossom and stem ends.
3. Cover cucumbers in ice and water and refrigerate for 3 hours.
4. In a kettle combine vinegar, sweetener, Stevia, water, and salt. Place the pickling spice, celery salt, and garlic powder in a muslin bag and sew it shut. This will keep the brine clear.
5. Add the spice packet to the syrup. Bring to a boil.
6. Pour over pickles. Let set at room temperature.
7. Combine sweetener, vinegar, pickling spice and salt.

Day 6:

1. Pour the brine into a kettle. Bring to a boil.
2. Pour over the pickles. Let set at room temperature.

Day 7:

1. Prepare you water bath canner by filling with water and bringing it to a boil. Reduce heat to keep the water in the canner hot.
2. Wash pint canning jars. Set aside.
3. Place the pickles and brine in a large kettle. Bring to a boil.
4. Pack pickles into jars. Discard spice bag.
5. Add brine to filled pickle jars. Wipe the edge of jar’s rim clean. Twist on lids and rings.
6. With canning tongs place jars in the prepared water bath canner. Bring water to a full boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
7. With canning tongs remove jars from canner. Allow to cool 24 hours. Check for seal.

Canning for Long-Term Storage

If you want to store your keto sweet pickles for an extended period, canning is an excellent option. Follow these steps for safe canning:

1. Prepare Jars and Lids: Wash canning jars, lids, and rings in hot, soapy water. Sterilize the jars by boiling them for 10 minutes.
2. Pack Pickles: Pack the pickles into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace.
3. Add Brine: Pour the hot brine over the pickles, ensuring they are completely submerged and maintaining the 1/2 inch headspace.
4. Remove Air Bubbles: Gently tap the jars to release any trapped air bubbles.
5. Wipe Rims and Seal: Wipe the rims of the jars clean with a damp cloth. Place the lids on the jars and screw on the rings until fingertip tight.
6. Process in a Water Bath Canner: Lower the jars into a boiling water bath canner, ensuring they are covered by at least 1 inch of water. Bring the water back to a boil and process for 10 minutes for pint jars. Adjust processing time for higher altitudes.
7. Cool and Check Seals: Carefully remove the jars from the canner and let them cool completely on a towel-lined surface. As the jars cool, you should hear a popping sound as the lids seal. After 24 hours, check the seals by pressing down on the center of each lid. If the lid doesn't flex, it's properly sealed.

Serving Suggestions

Keto sweet pickles are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in numerous ways:

• Burger and Hot Dog Topping: Add a tangy and sweet crunch to your favorite keto-friendly burgers and hot dogs.
• Snack: Enjoy them straight from the jar as a satisfyingly crunchy snack.
• Cheese and Cracker Plate: Pair them with cheddar cheese and seed crackers for a quick and tasty appetizer.
• Salads: Dice them and add them to salads for a burst of flavor.
• Sandwiches: Incorporate them into low-carb sandwiches for added tang and texture.
• Egg or Chicken Salad: Elevate your egg or chicken salad with the addition of chopped sweet pickles.

Tips for Success

• Use Fresh, High-Quality Cucumbers: The quality of your cucumbers will directly impact the final product. Choose firm, unblemished cucumbers for the best results.
• Don't Overcook: When heating the brine, avoid boiling it for too long, as this can affect the texture of the pickles.
• Adjust Sweetness to Taste: The amount of sweetener you use is a matter of personal preference. Start with the recommended amount and adjust as needed.
• Be Patient: Refrigerator pickles need time to marinate and develop their flavor. Allow them to sit in the fridge for at least 24 hours before enjoying.
• Store Properly: Store your keto sweet pickles in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Canned pickles should be stored in a cool, dark place.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

tags: #keto #sweet #pickles #recipe