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    Home » Recipes » Freezing, Preserving & Pickling

    Refrigerator Pickled Zucchini Recipe

    July 6, 2021 *Updated* July 19, 2022 / By: Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy 148 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure Policy.
    Jump To Recipe

    Is your garden overrun with zucchini? This homemade Refrigerator Pickled Zucchini Recipe is for you.

    Zucchini ribbons, pickling brine, and a day or two in the fridge produce the most amazing quick pickles ever.

    Old-fashioned refrigerator pickles are the perfect topping for burgers and sandwiches. Have you tried grilled zucchini burgers? Perfect for summer. 

    A jar of pickled zucchini ribbons ready to eat.

    RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for these fridge pickles can be found at the bottom of this post.

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    Pickled Eggs are still my most popular recipe on the blog. If you have read that post, you would know I am NOT a canner/preserver per se. Quick pickles are my way to a great tasting condiment. 

    This time of year you can never have too many ways to use the zucchini crop. Although they are delicious, we can only eat so many zucchini muffins.

    Zucchini getting sliced into ribbons.


    This Refrigerator Pickled Zucchini Recipe Is Easy

    No-cook refrigerator pickles are perfect for people (like me) that don’t want all the work involved in the traditional canning method.

    • Slice the zucchini into ribbons.
    • Remove excess liquid (see recipe).
    • Boil brine (this takes 5 minutes).
    • Pack zucchini into jars.
    • Add brine.
    • Put the lid on the jar.
    • Place in refrigerator.
    • In a few days, you will have pickled zucchini.
    Zucchini ribbons that have been drained and squeezed, ready to put into jars.

    To cut the zucchini into ribbons I used a spiralizer (affiliate). Do you have one? This really is a fun kitchen gadget.

    It is great for making zoodles too. Greek Zoodle Salad is a favourite around here. If you are looking to cut some carbs out of your diet, try Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp for an easy weeknight dinner. Have you tried Zucchini Gazpacho?

    If you are a fan of Caesar salad, then this Zucchini Caesar Salad is right up your alley. The perfect raw zucchini salad.

    Pickling brine ready to pour into the jar.

    Pickling Tips

    1. Prepare the jars and lids (wash with hot, soapy water, rinse and dry).
    2. I even poured boiling water in mine just to make sure I got all the soap out.
    3. Wash and dry the zucchini before slicing.
    4. Tightly pack the ribbons into jars (leaving a bit of room at the top).
    5. Pour the HOT brine into the packed jars (chances are you will have extra brine).
    6. Lightly tap the jars to remove air bubbles, and top off with additional brine.
    7. Tightly seal the jars.
    8. Let the jars cool before placing in the refrigerator.
    9. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours before eating (pickles improve with age).
    Zucchini ribbons and brine in the jar, with pickling spice.

    Feel free to experiment with the brine. Some recipes will use equal amounts of vinegar and water. For this pickled zucchini recipe, I used more vinegar than water.

    The type of vinegar you use will produce different results as well. I used rice wine vinegar, but you can experiment with white vinegar, cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or a combination. It is best to avoid concentrated kinds of vinegar like malt or balsamic.

    A jar of zucchini pickles read to go into the fridge.

    I did not include salt in my brine (but feel free to add some) since I used salt to remove excess liquid in the zucchini ribbons before placing them in the jar. I added a small amount of sugar, but you can omit that if you like.

    Pickling spice is the flavouring in this recipe. Feel free to experiment with fresh herbs such as dill, thyme, or rosemary (add them to the jar before pouring in the brine). 

    Whole spices such as mustard seed, peppercorns, or chili flakes work great in the brine (especially if you want to add a bit of spicy heat). If you like garlic, by all means, add that too.

    Here is a great article on common pickling mistakes.

    A fork full of refrigerator zucchini pickles .

    After a few days in the fridge, I was eager to see how these tasted. Hubby grilled up some Octoberfest sausages for the taste test. I stuffed a bun with that juicy sausage, topped it with honey mustard, and piled on these zucchini pickles. WOW! They had a nice tang, and are the perfect alternative to sauerkraut.

    Try making quick pickled onions, they are perfect for burgers and sandwiches. Check out this Homemade Burger Roundup!!

    This pickle roundup is packed with lots of great ideas. Did you know you can pickle fruit too?

    Add some pickled zucchini to a hot dog.

    Be sure to CLICK THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON located in the TOP MENU. You will get a FREE PRINTABLE and recipes! FOLLOW ME on social media too.

    Quick Pickle FAQ

    How long do refrigerator pickles last?

    Normally about two months. They will begin to lose some crunch over time. They should always be kept in the fridge.

    Is there a difference between white vinegar and pickling vinegar?

    White distilled vinegar is the norm for pickling vinegar.

    Can I reuse the pickle brine?

    Yes, you can reuse it to make another batch of refrigerator pickles, but not canned/fermented pickles.

    Refrigerator Pickled Zucchini Ribbons a delicious condiment.
    A jar of Refrigerator Pickled Zucchini ready to eat.

    Refrigerator Pickled Zucchini Recipe

    Zucchini sliced into ribbons, with the help of some brine make the most delicious Refrigerator Pickled Zucchini you have ever tasted. Super easy, even a novice can make these quick pickles in no time.
    5 from 141 votes
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    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: Canadian
    Keyword: pickled zucchini, quick pickles
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 20 servings
    Calories: 13kcal
    Author: Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

    Ingredients

    • 25 ounces zucchini (sliced into ribbons)
    • 1 teaspoons Kosher salt

    For the Brine:

    • 1 cup rice wine vinegar
    • ½ cup water
    • 2 tablespoons white sugar
    • 1 ½ teaspoons pickling spice
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    Prepare The Jars:

    • Wash jars and lids with hot soapy water and rinse well.
    • You can also then pour boiling water into the jars to ensure all the soup is out.
    • Let air dry, or dry with a cloth.

    To Prepare The Zucchini:

    • Wash and dry zucchini.
    • Slice into ribbons.
    • Place in a colander, sprinkle with salt, mix with your hands to distribute.  
    • Let sit for 10-15 minutes to drain excess liquid.
      DO NOT RINSE (that is why I did not add salt to the brine).
    • Place zucchini ribbons in a kitchen towel, and squeeze to drain the liquid.
    • Pack tightly into jars, leaving a bit of room at the top.

    To Make The Brine:

    • Combine vinegar, water, sugar and pickling spice into a small pot.
    • Bring to a boil, and boil for about 2 minutes (to dissolve the sugar).
    • Remove from heat, and let cool for a couple of minutes.
    • Pour over the zucchini ribbons in the jar. (I used a knife to move the zucchini a bit so the brine could get all the way down and around the zucchini.)
    • Be sure to add some of the pickling spice throughout the jar.
    • Tap the jar slightly to release any air bubbles. You will likely be able to add a bit more brine to the jar at this point.
    • Tightly seal.
    • Let cool to room temperature, then place in the refrigerator.
      Let sit in the fridge for at least 24 hours (the longer the better).

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 13kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 92mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 6.4mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.1mg

    Notes

    You will likely end up with more brine than you will need.
    This recipe makes 1 jar!
    Tried this recipe?Take a picture and tag @homemadeandyummy
    Nutritional information on this site is generated via a plugin. I am not responsible for the accuracy of the plugin information.

    More Freezing, Preserving & Pickling

    • Pickled onions in a glass bowl.
      Best Pickled Onions Recipe
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      Spearmint Flavoured Simple Syrup
    • Savory Tomato Jam is ready to eat so many delicious ways.
      Savory Tomato Jam
    • A jar of fresh herb salt.
      Homemade Fresh Herb Salt

    MEET THE AUTHOR

    Gloria Duggan is the author for Homemade & Yummy, where she creates fun and easy recipes. She is also a brand ambassador/influencer for well-known companies. Gloria has judged food competitions and has posted about local food events. Gloria's work has been featured in magazines, and she has been interviewed on several podcasts. Read More…

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Colleen

      July 16, 2021 at 1:08 pm

      Yes, my garden is overrun with zucchini! So thank you so much for this delicious and easy recipe!

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        July 16, 2021 at 3:36 pm

        You are very welcome. These pickled zucchini ribbons are so easy to make.

    2. Amy

      July 16, 2021 at 11:48 am

      I love these! Great on sandwiches and the perfect way to use up all that zucchini when it goes crazy in the garden!

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        July 16, 2021 at 3:36 pm

        Yes, you can never have too many zucchini recipes during the growing season. ENJOY!

    3. Elle

      July 14, 2021 at 2:46 pm

      Such a great way to be sure none of our zucchini goes to waste! Plus I love anything pickled so this recipe is perfect for me

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        July 14, 2021 at 4:08 pm

        This pickled zucchini recipe is so easy and delicious…hope you give it a try.

    4. Liz

      July 13, 2021 at 8:16 pm

      I wasn’t sure what to do with all our zucchini so this pickled recipe is perfect! Thank you for the idea!

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        July 14, 2021 at 10:13 am

        I hope you enjoy these pickled zucchini ribbons….they are a favourite in our house. The perfect summer condiment.

    5. Lexa

      July 07, 2021 at 6:09 pm

      I never had pickled Zucchini before, also never thought about pickling them, but it turned out amazing. That is going to a new staple in the fridge!

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        July 08, 2021 at 10:53 am

        I agree, it is a staple in our house. Our favourite condiment by far.

    6. Jeri

      July 07, 2021 at 4:41 pm

      I have pinned and saved this recipe for when my zucchini crop is ready! Our cucumbers did not grow well this year, so instead, I will make zucchini pickles! They look delicious!

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        July 08, 2021 at 10:53 am

        ENJOY….you will be happy with the tasty results.

    7. Jere

      July 07, 2021 at 2:08 pm

      These pickled zucchini look just like my refrigerator pickles which I love but it never occurred to make to use zucchini. I am making these with some of my zucchini.

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        July 08, 2021 at 10:54 am

        I know you will be thrilled with this pickled zucchini recipe. ENJOY!

    8. Debra

      July 07, 2021 at 12:37 pm

      We loved them! A nice change from always just pickling cucumbers. Will definitely. make these again…my garden is bursting with zucchini.

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        July 08, 2021 at 10:55 am

        You can never have too many zucchini recipes this time of year. You will love this easy pickle recipe.

    9. Sue Marie

      August 10, 2019 at 10:45 am

      I came here from another one of your pages (pickled eggs) because I was curious about your pickles. These sound amazing! I was hoping you had a recipe for zucchini relish too. My mother used to can enough to last until the next summer. I never tasted anything so good and really miss them. I imagine I will get some of that taste in these pickles. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 11, 2019 at 9:36 am

        Well I have not made zucchini relish…but I have made onion jam. Hope you give some of these tasty pickles a try.

    10. Tracy Koslicki

      November 23, 2018 at 3:12 pm

      Oh man. I’m so bummed I didn’t see this recipe in the summer when I had zucchini coming out of our ears! Pinning and saving for next summer for sure!

      Reply
      • Homemade & Yummy

        November 24, 2018 at 9:46 am

        OMG….this has become our new burger topping.

    11. April

      November 04, 2018 at 3:16 pm

      I have a lot of similar goodies in my fridge. Mostly because of the same reasons – to top my delicious burgers and sometimes – sandwiches. So it is nice to have another recipe for something that I love so much – thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Homemade & Yummy

        November 05, 2018 at 9:24 am

        This is such an easy recipe to make. Since I am not a “canner” this is the only way I will make pickles of any kind.

    12. Renee Gardner

      August 27, 2018 at 1:44 pm

      These pickles are gorgeous! Love how the ribbons add such a unique texture and volume to the plate. I cleaned out my pantry this weekend and found that I have 13 different types of vinegar. I think the orange blossom champagne vinegar would go great with zucchini!! Thank you for sharing! Now I just need to figure out ho me to duplicate those ribbons without a spiralizer.

      Reply
      • Homemade & Yummy

        August 27, 2018 at 1:49 pm

        WOW…and I thought I had lots of different kinds of vinegars. Do you have a mandoline? That might work.

    13. Nicole

      August 27, 2018 at 10:22 am

      Now I love anything pickled! Well, almost anything picked. But I love pickled peppers, onions, and pickles of course. I never thought about pickled zucchini. This is an awesome condiment. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Homemade & Yummy

        August 27, 2018 at 1:49 pm

        Yes this is our favourite condiment by far!!

    14. Julie

      August 26, 2018 at 11:10 pm

      What’s the texture of these pickled zucchini like? I always think of pickled vegetables, like carrots or cauliflower or cucumbers, as crunchy, but zucchini tend to be much softer. Do they have a good crunch?

      Reply
      • Homemade & Yummy

        August 27, 2018 at 7:59 am

        Yes they do have a crunch. Removing the excess water with the salt before putting them into jars helps for sure.

    15. Sam

      August 26, 2018 at 10:37 pm

      I love anything pickled so I can’t believe I never had pickled zucchini! This looks amazing!! Can’t wait to give it a try!

      Reply
      • Homemade & Yummy

        August 27, 2018 at 8:00 am

        These are so easy to make. They are now a stable in our fridge.

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