Get ready to spice up your snacks with these crunchy, zesty Spicy Dilly Beans! Perfect for adding a kick to your meals, a vibrant crunch to a charcuterie board, or simply enjoying straight from the jar, these homemade pickled green beans are bursting with tangy flavor and a satisfying snap. They’re surprisingly easy to make and a fantastic way to preserve the bounty of fresh green beans.

Why I Love This Recipe

These Spicy Dilly Beans are a go-to in my kitchen, especially when green beans are fresh and abundant! What I love most is their irresistible crunch and bright, tangy flavor, perfectly balanced with a delightful kick of spice. The combination of fresh garlic, aromatic dill seed, and zesty red chile flakes creates a complex and addictive brine that truly infuses every bean. The water bath canning process, while requiring a few steps, is straightforward and ensures perfect preservation, meaning I can enjoy these zesty treats long after the season ends. They’re versatile, vibrant, and incredibly satisfying!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create these crunchy, zesty Spicy Dilly Beans:

• Fresh crisp green beans (enough to fill your jars, typically 1.5 – 2 lbs for 2-3 pint jars)
• White vinegar (e.g., 5% acidity, about 2-3 cups)
• Pickling salt (non-iodized, about 2 tablespoons)
• Dill seed (about 1 teaspoon per pint jar)
• Red chile flakes (about 1/2 teaspoon per pint jar, adjust to taste)
• Fresh garlic cloves (1-2 per pint jar, peeled)
• Mustard seeds (optional, about 1/2 teaspoon per pint jar)
• Peppercorns (optional, about 1/2 teaspoon per pint jar)
• Water (for brine, same amount as vinegar)
• Clean canning jars with lids and bands (pint or quart size)
• Water bath canner with rack

Swaps and Notes

• Green Beans: Fresh, firm, and blemish-free green beans are crucial for crispy dilly beans. “Snap” varieties are excellent.
• White Vinegar: Use white vinegar with 5% acidity. Do not reduce the vinegar quantity as it’s vital for safety in canning.
• Pickling Salt: Non-iodized pickling salt is essential as regular table salt can make the brine cloudy and affect flavor.
• Dill Seed: Whole dill seed provides that classic dill flavor. Fresh dill sprigs can also be added for extra dill flavor.
• Red Chile Flakes: Adjust the amount to your desired level of spice.
• Fresh Garlic Cloves: Peeled whole or halved garlic cloves are excellent.
• Mustard Seeds & Peppercorns: These add a subtle background flavor and visual appeal to the brine.
• Canning Jars & Equipment: Ensure your canning jars, lids, and bands are clean and sterilized. Use a water bath canner for safe preservation.

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Directions

Let’s get these delicious Spicy Dilly Beans canned!

1. Prepare Green Beans: Start by washing the fresh crisp green beans thoroughly. Trim both ends of the green beans. If beans are very long, snap or cut them so they fit nicely into your canning jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace from the rim.
2. Prepare Canning Equipment: Heat up your water bath canner. Fill it with enough water to cover your jars by at least 1 inch. Place a rack at the bottom of the canner. Prepare your canning jars by washing them in hot, soapy water and rinsing well, or running them through a dishwasher cycle. Keep jars hot until ready to pack (either in the canner water or a warm oven). Prepare new lids and bands by washing them in warm, soapy water.
3. Make the Zesty Brine: In a separate large pot, combine equal parts white vinegar and water (e.g., 2 cups white vinegar + 2 cups water). Add the pickling salt (e.g., 2 tablespoons for this amount of liquid, adjust based on total brine needed to fill jars). Bring this mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring frequently until the pickling salt is fully dissolved. Reduce heat to a simmer to keep hot.
4. Pack Jars with Spices & Beans: Carefully pack the hot, clean canning jars with your trimmed green beans. Pack them vertically for a neat presentation, or horizontally if preferred, ensuring they are tightly packed but leaving space for brine. To each jar, add the fresh garlic cloves, dill seed, and a sprinkle of red chile flakes for that extra spice. If using, add mustard seeds and peppercorns.
5. Pour Hot Brine: Carefully pour the steaming hot brine over the packed green beans and spices in each jar. Use a non-metallic utensil (like a chopstick or plastic knife) to remove any air bubbles from around the beans, gently pushing the beans to release trapped air. Don’t forget to leave a little headspace at the top of the jars (typically 1/2 inch from the rim).
6. Seal & Process: Wipe the rims of the jars clean with a damp cloth (any food on the rim can prevent sealing). Place the hot lids on the jars, and then screw on the bands until fingertip tight (don’t overtighten). Carefully place the sealed jars onto the rack in your boiling water bath canner, ensuring they are completely submerged in the hot water. Bring the water to a full rolling boil. Process the sealed jars in your boiling water bath for the recommended time (typically 10-15 minutes for pint jars at sea level, adjust for altitude) for perfect preservation.
7. Cool & Check Seal: Once the processing time is complete, turn off the heat. Carefully remove the jars from the canner and place them on a clean towel on your counter, ensuring there is space between them. Do not disturb them. As the jars cool, wait for that satisfying “ping” sound that tells you everything has sealed beautifully! After 12-24 hours, check the seals by pressing on the center of the lid; it should not flex. If a jar hasn’t sealed, refrigerate and consume within a few weeks.
8. Store: Once cooled and sealed, remove the bands (they can be reused later) and wipe jars clean. Store your delightful Spicy Dilly Beans in a cool, dark place. Wait at least 2-3 weeks before opening to allow the flavors to develop.

Enjoy your crunchy, zesty Spicy Dilly Beans!

Tips for Success

• Fresh Green Beans: Use the freshest, crispest green beans possible for the best texture. Old or limp beans will result in soggy dilly beans.
• Pickling Salt: Do not use iodized table salt; it can turn your pickles cloudy and affect the taste.
• Accurate Brine Ratio: Do not alter the vinegar-to-water ratio for safety in canning.
• Sterilize Jars: Ensure jars are clean and hot before packing to prevent thermal shock and ensure proper sealing. Lids are typically not boiled unless specified by the manufacturer, but warmed.
• Headspace: Leaving the correct headspace is crucial for proper sealing and preventing siphoning.
• Water Bath Canning Safety: Follow all safety guidelines for water bath canning to ensure your preserves are safe for long-term storage.
• Patience for Flavor: While you can eat them sooner, the flavors truly meld and develop after a few weeks in the jar.

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Serving Suggestions and Pairings

Spicy Dilly Beans are incredibly versatile and perfect for adding a zesty kick to many meals:

• Snack: Enjoy straight from the jar as a crunchy, tangy, and spicy snack.
• Appetizer: Serve on a charcuterie board, alongside cheeses and cured meats.
• Side Dish: A vibrant side for grilled meats, sandwiches, or burgers.
• Garnish: Chop and add to potato salad, tuna salad, or even Bloody Marys.
• With Southern Dishes: Complements hearty Southern comfort foods like our Country Green Beans or This Tomato Skillet With Okra And Sausage Is My Favorite Quick Dinner Packed With Southern Flavor.

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Storage and Leftover Tips

Properly canned dilly beans have a long shelf life!

• Pantry Storage (Sealed Jars): Properly sealed jars of Spicy Dilly Beans can be stored in a cool, dark place (like a pantry) for up to 1 year.
• Refrigeration (Opened Jars): Once a jar is opened, store it in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 weeks.
• Refrigeration (Unsealed Jars): Any jars that do not seal during the canning process should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 2-3 weeks.

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More Recipes You Will Love

If you loved the fresh, tangy, and subtly spicy nature of these dilly beans, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free recipes that bring wholesome goodness and satisfaction to your table:

• For another rich and comforting bowl of goodness, our This Cajun Chicken Sausage Gumbo Is My Favorite Bowl Of Southern Comfort is a must-try.
• If you’re a fan of impressive but easy savory appetizers, our This Baked Kosher Salami Is My Favorite Easy Appetizer With Big Flavor is a must-try.
• And for a refreshing summer beverage, check out our This Blueberry Lemonade Is My Favorite Refreshing Drink For Sunny Days.

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Final Thoughts

These Spicy Dilly Beans are a brilliant solution for bringing a truly vibrant, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying snack or side dish to your table with ease. They’re perfect for celebrating fresh produce, promising a jar full of crunchy, zesty, and subtly spicy goodness!

Give this recipe a try and let these delightful dilly beans become a new canning favorite! What’s your favorite vegetable to pickle at home? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below!