How To Make Crunchy Pickles (Secret Ingredient)

Add the cucumbers to the jars. Add in the garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves, fresh dill and tea leaves, Dividing the ingredients between the jars.

Make the brine by combining the water, salt, and vinegar. Pour into the jars, covering the pickles completely.

Weigh the cucumbers down by using a clean rock, a small ramekin, or any other thing you can find in your house. I used a plastic lid and then put a glass ramekin on top of that to hold them down. It’s important for them to stay submerged under the brine or they will mold.

Seal with a lid or cover with a cloth to keep bugs out. After 4 to 5 days, check a cucumber to see if it’s ready. The pickles are ready when they smell like pickle heaven, the brine turns cloudy and the cucumbers turn a yellow/olive green.