Homemade Pickling Spice Recipe

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This homemade pickling spice recipe is a blend of spices that can be used to make everything from sweet, dill, or bread and butter pickles to seasoning vegetables and anything else you like.

Pickle seasoning is so easy to make and it makes the best pickles ever! You'll never go back to store-bought pickle spice mix again.

photo of pickle spice pouring out of a jar onto a red plate

Homemade spice blends taste much better than store-bought ones and they are a cinch to make. If you like this recipe for pickle spice, try our homemade taco seasoning and jerk seasoning.

Why This Recipe Works

It's versatile! The ingredients list below is a basic list, adjust the ingredients to your taste.
It's easy to make! Mix the spices together and use it in your favorite pickle recipe.

What's in pickle seasoning

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This is an overview of the ingredients and steps to make this recipe, scroll down for a printable recipe card with exact measurements and instructions.

Ingredients

Mustard seeds
Allspice berries
Coriander seeds
Ground ginger
Bay leaves
Cinnamon
Peppercorns
Crushed bay leaves

Here Is How to Make it

All of the pickle spice ingredients mixed together on a white plate with a spoon

Step 1. Mix the ingredients together

Pickle spice on a plate with a half filled jar next to it

Step 2. Pour or spoon the pickle seasoning into a jar

Ingredient Notes

There is no one way to make pickle seasoning. The ingredient list above is a basic list of spices to use, but the options are endless! Feel free to add or omit spices based on your taste. Here are some spices to try out:

Whole cloves
Crushed red pepper flakes
Nutmeg
Dill Seeds
Cardamom seeds
Celery seeds
Juniper berries

Uses for Pickling Spice

I like to use homemade pickle seasoning when making zucchini refrigerator pickles, sweet and spicy pickles and home-brined corned beef.

In addition, pickle spice tastes great sprinkled on steamed or roasted vegetables, in meat marinades, stews, steamed or broiled shrimp or seafood.

an overhead shot of pickle spices mixed together in a mason jar

How to Store Pickling Seasoning

This recipe makes a little under ½ cup of seasoning blend. If you are not making a large batch of pickles, the pickle seasoning can be stored for up to 12 months in a jar in your spice cabinet.

Your Questions Answered

Here are the most commonly asked questions about this recipe for homemade pickling spice. If your question isn't answered below, leave me a comment and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

How much pickle spice will I need to make pickles?

It depends on your pickle recipe, most recipes call for one to one and a half tablespoons of pickling spice per pint container. You should be able to make 10 to 13 pints of pickles with this recipe.

Can I use ground spices in place of the allspice berries and coriander?

You can, but the flavor might not be the same. Start with replacing the berries with one teaspoon of ground spice, and adjust to your taste. Here is an article on How to Swap Whole Spices for Ground that might help.

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