Spices in This Pickling Blend
If the ingredient list looks a little long to you, don’t worry! You really can pare it down to just the basics. For me, the essentials are the mustard seeds, black peppercorns or red pepper flakes, and at least one of the sweet spices (allspice, cinnamon, or cloves). As long as you’ve got those in the mix, you can customize your blend however you like.
How Much Pickling Spice to Use
Whatever mixture of spices you end up with, you’ll want to use about 1 1/2 teaspoons per pint of pickles (or 1 tablespoon if you’re canning in quart jars). Mix ‘em up and get pickling!
Ways to Use This Spice Blend
You can use this blend when pickling cucumbers, green beans, carrot sticks, beets, or even sliced red onions, my favorite hamburger topping. It’s a versatile mix with a flavor profile that’s both savory and sweet, with a little kick of heat. All of the spices listed in the recipe are for whole spices. Do not substitute ground spices.
