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Homemade Pickling Spice

A vibrant, customizable homemade pickling spice blend ready in minutes and perfect for transforming vegetables into flavorful pickles.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 5 tablespoons
Course: Sauces and Condiments
Cuisine: American
Calories: 15
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 tablespoon mustard seeds yellow or brown
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 1 teaspoon dill seeds
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice berries
  • 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds optional but recommended
  • 1 bay leaf broken into pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

Equipment

  • Skillet or dry pan
  • Spice grinder or coffee grinder
  • Measuring spoons
  • Airtight glass jar or container
  • Wooden spoon
  • Small bowl

Method
 

  1. Measure out all whole spice ingredients and place them in a small bowl.
  2. Heat a skillet or dry pan over medium heat and add mustard seeds, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, dill seeds, whole cloves, and allspice berries; toast for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
  3. Stir in red pepper flakes and toast for an additional 30 seconds over medium heat.
  4. Pour the toasted spices onto a plate and let cool for 3 to 5 minutes.
  5. Transfer the cooled spices to a spice grinder and pulse until coarsely ground, leaving some whole seeds visible.
  6. Toast the fenugreek seeds in the skillet over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant, then add them to the ground spice mixture.
  7. Break the bay leaf into small pieces and stir into the spice mixture.
  8. Add dried thyme, ground ginger, and ground turmeric to the mixture and stir until everything is evenly distributed.
  9. Spoon the pickling spice into an airtight glass jar and store in a cool, dark place for up to 12 months.

Notes

Toast spices before use for maximum flavor; store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from heat and light.