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Zesty Garlic Dill Cucumber Spears

Quick & Easy Marinated Cucumbers with Fresh Dill & Garlic: Your Go-To Summer Refrigerator Pickle

There’s nothing quite like the refreshing crunch of a perfectly seasoned cucumber on a warm day. Marinated Cucumbers, bursting with the vibrant flavors of garden-fresh dill and aromatic garlic, are a quintessential summer side dish. These crunchy cucumber spears are not only perfect for immediate enjoyment but also transform into fantastic lightly pickled refrigerator pickles that can last for days, deepening in flavor with every hour. Whether you’re planning a casual family dinner, an upcoming BBQ, or a potluck, these versatile and delicious marinated cucumbers are guaranteed to be a hit.

Freshly cut garlic and dill marinated cucumbers in a bowl

A Taste of Tradition: Ukrainian Molocolneye Ohortse

This recipe for lightly salted cucumbers holds a special place in my family’s culinary heritage, tracing back to an old-fashioned Ukrainian method my parents cherished. In Ukrainian, these are affectionately known as “molocolneye ohortse,” which translates to “a little” salted cucumbers, perfectly describing their mild, fresh taste.

Growing up in Ukraine, cucumbers were a staple, prepared in two primary ways. There were the intensely salty, barrel-pickled cucumbers, preserved to last through the harsh winters. These were a labor of love, requiring significant time and effort for long-term storage. Then there were these quickly marinated, lightly salted versions – designed for fresh eating, offering a delightful crunch and vibrant flavor that couldn’t be beaten during the warmer months.

Close-up of crunchy cucumber dill spears in a bowl, ready to serve

While these marinated cucumbers were a seasonal delight, fresh cucumber salads were also incredibly popular, showcasing the versatility of this beloved vegetable. Think creamy cucumber salads or a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad dressed in a light vinaigrette. And, of course, refrigerator pickles were essential for classic dishes like Olivye Salad (Ukrainian Potato Salad). My mother-in-law even has her own simple trick: slicing cucumbers and sprinkling them with garlic salt for a quick, satisfying snack. This just goes to show how many wonderful things you can create with fresh cucumbers!

Why You’ll Love These Marinated Cucumbers

These garlic dill cucumber spears are more than just a side dish; they’re an experience. Here’s why they deserve a spot on your summer menu:

  • Incredibly Fresh & Flavorful: Using fresh, in-season cucumbers, dill, and garlic creates an explosion of natural, tangy, and savory flavors.
  • Quick & Easy: With minimal prep time, you can have a delicious side dish ready in minutes. No lengthy canning process required!
  • Versatile Side: They pair wonderfully with almost any meal, from grilled meats to light sandwiches, making them perfect for everyday eating or special gatherings.
  • Healthy & Hydrating: Cucumbers are packed with water, vitamins, and antioxidants, making this a guilt-free and refreshing addition to your diet.
  • Refrigerator Pickles: As they sit, they develop into delightful refrigerator pickles, offering a different depth of flavor over time.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Marinated Cucumbers

This recipe prides itself on its simplicity, calling for just a handful of fresh, quality ingredients that truly shine. Investing in garden-fresh produce will elevate your marinated cucumbers to a whole new level. And for easy prep, a salad spinner can make washing and drying your dill a breeze!

  • Fresh Cucumbers: The star of the show! For the best crunch and flavor, opt for cucumbers grown in your garden or purchased locally in season. Pickling cucumbers are ideal for cutting into spears due to their firm texture. English cucumbers also work beautifully; simply cut them into sections before slicing into spears. Persian cucumbers are another excellent choice. Always keep the skins on for added nutrition and texture, and avoid any cucumbers that taste bitter.
  • Fresh Dill: An absolute must for that classic, aromatic dill pickle flavor. If you’re lucky enough to have it growing in your garden, that’s fantastic! Otherwise, fresh dill can be easily found in the produce section of any grocery store. The bright, slightly anisy notes of fresh dill are irreplaceable.
  • Garlic: This adds a wonderful pungent kick and zest. I prefer using a garlic press for finely crushed garlic, which distributes its flavor evenly. Adjust the amount to your preference: use a generous amount for spicy cucumber spears, or the recommended quantity for a mild, garlicky essence.
  • Salt: A good quality sea salt, not overly coarse, is key. Salt not only seasons the cucumbers but also helps to draw out their natural juices, contributing to the pickling process.
  • Oil and Vinegar: These ingredients are what truly transform this into a “quick” marinated dish, allowing you to enjoy it almost immediately after tossing. A mild-flavored oil like sunflower oil or light olive oil works best, paired with white distilled vinegar for a clean, tangy finish. These additions also contribute to the cucumbers’ longevity as refrigerator pickles.

Pro Tip: Don’t hesitate to make a generous batch! Serve some immediately for fresh eating, and store the rest in the fridge to let them marinate further. The flavors only deepen and meld beautifully over time, creating even more delicious results!

Choosing the Best Cucumbers for Marination

The type of cucumber you choose can significantly impact the texture and overall success of your marinated spears. While most varieties will work, some are definitely superior:

  • Pickling Cucumbers: These are often considered the gold standard for any type of pickle or marinated cucumber. They are typically shorter, firmer, and have a bumpy skin, holding their crispness exceptionally well.
  • English Cucumbers: Long, slender, and often seedless with thin skin, English cucumbers are a fantastic alternative. They offer a great crunch and mild flavor. For spears, cut them into manageable sections first, then slice each section lengthwise.
  • Persian Cucumbers: Similar to English cucumbers but smaller, Persian cucumbers are also excellent for this recipe. Their firm texture and minimal seeds make them perfect for slicing into spears or rounds.

Regardless of the type, always select firm, blemish-free cucumbers. Avoid using any cucumbers that taste bitter, as this bitterness will intensify in the marinade. There’s no need to peel the cucumbers; leaving the skins on adds a lovely texture, color, and valuable nutrients.

How to Make Your Marinated Cucumbers: A Quick Guide

This is truly a quick cucumber pickle recipe, designed for maximum flavor with minimal waiting. Traditionally, many recipes suggest cutting cucumbers into spears, tossing them with salt, fresh dill, and garlic (and sometimes black pepper), and allowing them to sit for several hours. This process draws out their natural juices, creating a self-brine.

However, my family’s method takes a delightful shortcut by incorporating vinegar and oil right from the start. This not only speeds up the “marinating” process but also infuses the cucumbers with an extra tangy kick, allowing you to serve them immediately! While they’re delicious right away, I highly recommend making a large batch. Enjoy some for fresh eating, and then pack the remainder into an airtight jar or container to store in the refrigerator. As they sit, the cucumbers will continue to marinate, developing a richer, more complex flavor profile, transforming into fantastic refrigerator dill pickles!

  1. Prepare Cucumbers: Begin by washing your cucumbers thoroughly. Slice off both ends. Depending on the size of your cucumbers, cut them in half lengthwise, then slice each half into two or three more spears. For wider cucumbers, cut each wedge in half again to create more spears.
  2. Combine Ingredients: Place your freshly cut cucumber spears into a large mixing bowl. Add the crushed garlic, a generous sprinkle of sea salt, the white distilled vinegar, and the sunflower oil. Finally, add the finely chopped fresh dill.
  3. Mix Thoroughly: Using your hands (kitchen gloves are recommended to protect them from garlic odor), mix all the ingredients thoroughly. Ensure every cucumber spear is well-coated with the dill, garlic, salt, oil, and vinegar mixture.
  4. Serve or Refrigerate: Your marinated cucumbers are now ready to be enjoyed! For the best flavor development, however, transfer them to an airtight container or a large zip-top bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. The longer they sit, the more the flavors meld and the more “pickled” they become.

Storing Your Delicious Marinated Cucumbers

Proper storage is key to maintaining the crispness and extending the life of your marinated cucumbers. If you’re harvesting fresh cucumbers from your garden, the best way to store them before preparation is to place unwashed cucumbers into a paper or grocery bag and keep them in your refrigerator’s vegetable drawer. This helps to regulate moisture and keeps them fresh.

Once you’ve prepared your marinated cucumbers, transfer them to an airtight container or a sturdy zip-top bag. Ensure they are submerged in their natural juices as much as possible. Stored correctly in the refrigerator, these lightly salted refrigerator pickles can last for up to two weeks, becoming even more flavorful over time.

What to Serve with Marinated Cucumbers

Marinated cucumbers are wonderfully crisp, light, and bursting with garlicky dill flavor, making them an incredibly versatile side dish. While we particularly love them with potatoes, their refreshing tang makes them a perfect accompaniment to a wide array of main courses, especially during BBQ season or any casual meal. Here are some serving ideas:

  • Boiled Baby Potatoes or creamy Mashed Potatoes
  • Alongside your favorite Wraps or Sandwiches for an extra layer of freshness.
  • With savory Rice Pilaf, like a hearty Plov.
  • The perfect complement to BBQ Ribs, grilled chicken, or any grilled meats.
  • As part of a fresh salad bar or mezze platter.
  • Chopped into an egg salad or tuna salad for added crunch and flavor.
  • Alongside fried fish or chicken for a bright contrast.

Q&A: Your Marinated Cucumber Questions Answered

Are Marinated Cucumbers Good For You?

Absolutely! Marinated cucumbers offer several health benefits. Cucumbers themselves are incredibly hydrating due to their high water content and are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and soluble fiber. While traditional long-fermented pickles are known for their strong probiotic benefits, these homemade quick pickles can also be beneficial. If you allow them to sit at room temperature for a couple of hours before refrigerating, they can begin to release natural juices and develop some beneficial probiotic qualities. Enjoying them fresh or lightly marinated contributes to a healthy, balanced diet.

Expert Tips for the Best Marinated Cucumbers:

  1. My mother-in-law often refers to this dish as a simple cucumber salad because it can be served immediately after mixing. The vinegar and oil allow for instant gratification, though chilling enhances the flavors.
  2. These are quite similar to classic refrigerator pickles. The salt effectively draws moisture out of the cucumbers, creating a natural brine that the spears then sit in, gradually pickling them without any need for heat processing.
  3. For optimal marination and to ensure the cucumbers are fully immersed in their delicious juices, use a tall and narrow container when storing them in the fridge. This helps the liquid cover more surface area.
  4. The key to exceptionally crunchy and crisp marinated cucumbers lies in using the freshest possible produce. Garden-fresh or recently purchased cucumbers will yield the best texture.
  5. To easily cut cucumbers into uniform spears: start by slicing the cucumber in half lengthwise. Then, slice each of those halves in half again, lengthwise. If your cucumber is particularly wide, you can cut each wedge in half once more to create narrower spears.
  6. Consider adding a pinch of black pepper or a tiny amount of red pepper flakes if you enjoy a hint of spice.
  7. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other fresh herbs, like parsley or fresh mint, for a unique twist!

More Refreshing Cucumber Recipes to Explore:

While these marinated cucumbers are perfect for fresh eating and quick refrigeration, if you’re looking for a traditional pickle canned in a hot brine, be sure to check out my classic canned dill pickles recipe. Expand your cucumber repertoire with these other delightful cucumber salads and more!

  • Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad
  • Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
  • Cucumber Cabbage Salad
  • Zesty Cucumber Salad Recipe
  • Ukrainian Pickle Soup (Rassolnik)
  • Summer Slaw Recipe
  • Canned Dill Pickles Recipe
  • Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce (VIDEO)

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Marinated Cucumbers (Garlic Dill Cucumber Spears)

Prep Time:

15 minutes
Total Time:

15 minutes
Servings:

15
servings
Marinated Cucumbers are a summer favorite side dish using garden-fresh cucumbers, lots of fresh dill, and garlic! These crunchy cucumber spears are best for fresh eating and make fantastic lightly pickled refrigerator pickles that will last for days! Serve as an everyday side or upcoming BBQ’s and potlucks!

Equipment

  • large mixing bowl
  • sharp knife and cutting board

Ingredients

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs cucumbers
  • 2 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 bunch dill (chopped)
  • 7 cloves garlic (crushed)
  • 1 Tbsp sunflower oil
  • 1 Tbsp white distilled vinegar

Instructions

Directions:

  • slicing cucumber spears for marination
    Slice off the ends of the cucumbers and cut them into 4 wedges. (If using an English Cucumber, cut into sections first, then slice each section into spears).
  • marinating cucumbers in a large bowl with dill and garlic
    In a large bowl, combine the cucumber spears, crushed garlic, chopped fresh dill, salt, sunflower oil, and white distilled vinegar. Using kitchen gloves, mix everything together very well to ensure even coating.
  • storing marinated cucumbers in a jar
    Serve immediately for a fresh taste, or pack into an airtight jar or container and refrigerate. The flavors will develop beautifully as they chill, creating even more delicious refrigerator pickles.

Notes

Tips:

  • For super easy clean-up and mixing, consider preparing your marinated cucumbers directly in a large zip-lock bag. It helps coat everything evenly!
  • Always store your marinated cucumbers in an airtight jar or container. Ideally, choose one that allows the cucumbers to be mostly submerged in their juices for best flavor and preservation.
  • This recipe is fantastic for fresh eating right away, but the flavor truly enhances after a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
  • When properly refrigerated in an airtight container, these marinated cucumbers can keep their delicious flavor and crunch for up to 2 weeks.
  • This recipe creates a mild, flavorful pickle. If you prefer a spicier kick, feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other ingredients.

Nutrition per serving

Serving: 1serving

Calories: 18kcal

Carbohydrates: 2g

Protein: 0.4g

Fat: 1g

Saturated Fat: 0.1g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g

Monounsaturated Fat: 1g

Sodium: 389mg

Potassium: 88mg

Fiber: 0.5g

Sugar: 1g

Vitamin A: 49IU

Vitamin C: 2mg

Calcium: 11mg

Iron: 0.2mg