Easy Homemade Horseradish Pickles

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These Horseradish Pickles are a quick and easy recipe for horseradish and pickle lovers alike. The spice from horseradish pairs perfectly with the sweetness and tanginess of the pickling liquid. Try this recipe for your next barbecue!

Horseradish pickles in a jar on the table with a few on the table around the jar.

I have tried some tasty store-bought pickles made with horseradish in the past. Boar’s Head horseradish pickles and Nathan’s horseradish pickles are top contenders. However, whenever I enjoy something so much I like to learn to make it myself, and that’s where I came up with this recipe! The fresh, crunchy cucumbers are the best part of homemade pickles. The texture is unmatched!

The spice from the horseradish compliments so many dishes. It can take simple flavors up a notch! My favorite way to enjoy these pickles is to eat them straight from the jar with a fork. They make the best quick snack.

If you are interested in more recipes using horseradish, we got you covered. Try Horseradish Aioli or Creamy Horseradish Dip the next time you are craving spice!

Why You’ll Love This Horseradish Pickles Recipe

Easy to Make: Once you prepare the pickle brine, the cucumbers will sit in the refrigerator for 24 hours before they’re ready. There’s minimal work involved.
Customizable: Switch up the seasonings and type of vinegar or add extra veggies. Make it your own!
Dairy and Gluten Free: This recipe is naturally free of dairy and gluten.

Ingredients

Most of the ingredients needed to make this easy horseradish pickle recipe are pantry staples, saving you time and money.

Horseradish: This spicy root vegetable can be found prepared at your local grocery store. Make sure you don't get horseradish sauce which is more like mayonnaise.
White Sugar: A little sweetness from the sugar balances all of the other flavors.
Garlic: Fresh, minced garlic is perfect for pickling. It makes anything taste extra delicious.
Onions: Thinly sliced white onion is used in this homemade horseradish pickle recipe. You can also use yellow onion.
Cucumbers: Make sure your cucumbers are as fresh as possible before you make these pickles. English cucumbers work, too!

See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and the exact quantities of each ingredient.

Variations

Horseradish Dill Pickles: Add fresh dill to the pickle brine for a unique flavor profile.
Sweet Horseradish Pickles: Add some honey for extra and natural sweetness.
Turn up the Heat: Add fresh jalapeno slices or red pepper flakes to make this an extra spicy pickles recipe. You can also play around with our homemade spices, jalapeno powder and smoked jalapeno powder.
Vegetable Medley: Use the same ingredients in this recipe and add chopped cauliflower, carrots, celery, and even red bell pepper.

How to Make Horseradish Pickles

This is an easy-to-follow recipe that is simple enough for anyone to follow — even if you have never made homemade pickles before.

Add all of your ingredients except the onions and cucumbers to a large pot. Bring it to a boil over medium heat and stir often.
Add the pickles and onions and boil for an additional 5 minutes.

Adding the vinegar to the pot to make horseradish pickles.

Cucumbers and onion added to the pot next.

Allow the pickles to cool and then transfer them to jars. Refrigerate the pickles for 24 hours before serving.

A jar of spicy pickles on the table ready to refrigerate.

⭐️ Hint: You do not need to thoroughly cook the cucumbers and onions. You will want them to have a firm texture so the pickles retain their crunch.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this pickled rhubarb!

Serving Suggestions

Pickles and burgers are a classic combo. Spice up a Ground Pork Burger or Old Fashioned Burger with these spicy pickles.
Instead of relish, finely dice these pickles and add them to Tartar Sauce or over the top of your hot dog!
They are even great on sandwiches! I love them on this Grilled Cheese and Egg Sandwich.
Add them to these Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders for heat and crunch.

A finger picking up a spicy pickle from the jar.

Tips

Let Them Marinate: Waiting is the hardest part but I promise if you wait the full 24 hours, you will have the best results.
Fresh Veggies: Firm cucumbers and onions will pickle the best. If they are soft, you will have an unpleasant texture after they finish pickling.
Use the right vinegar: It is recommended to use only white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for this horseradish pickle recipe. They have the right amount of acidity.
Storing: These homemade pickles can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Do not freeze them because they do not defrost well.

FAQ

Do pickles go bad?

Yes, they do! These are not traditionally canned pickles so they can not be stored anywhere but in the refrigerator. While it may seem like store-bought pickles last forever, it's best not to keep these homemade pickles past 2 weeks.

Can I slice the pickles into spears?

Yes! They can be treated the same way the slices are in this recipe.

Can I reuse the pickle brine?

It is not recommended to reuse the brine. It will spoil just like the pickles. Make it fresh if you would like more pickles! If the brine is still good and within the two weeks you can use it to flavor dressings and sauces similar to vinegar.

A fork with four pickle slices on the tines and held up over the table.

More Delicious Pickle Recipes

Do you like pickling? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.