The Best Pickling Spice Brine Recipe

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Last Updated on August 29, 2023 by Toya

This easy pickling spice brine is the secret behind creating the most delicious and tangy pickled recipes. It is a flavorful solution made by combining my DIY pickling spices, vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. The brine acts as a preserving agent, infusing the ingredients with a burst of flavor and helping to extend their shelf life. The combination of spices in the brine adds depth and complexity to the pickled foods, ensuring a mouthwatering taste experience.

Whether you’re pickling cucumbers, onions, beets, carrots, or eggs, using my amazing pickling spice brine can take your homemade pickles to a whole new level! So, prepare your mason jars, gather your spices, and let the pickling adventure begin!

What Is Pickling Spice Brine?

Pickling spice brine or pickle juice is a type of pickle brine made with the addition of pickling spices rather than the typical 4 ingredients used to make regular pickle brine. These typically include white vinegar, sugar, salt, and water.

Pickling Spice Brine Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups distilled vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of salt
• 1 1/2 – 2 tablespoons of pickling spice 

How To Make Pickling Spice Brine

Gather all the ingredients in one place.

Place all the ingredients except the pickling spice blend into a small pot over medium heat.

Simmer for 3 minutes. Make sure to stir until the salt and sugar completely dissolve.

Cool for a few minutes, then stir in the pickling spice.

Use this easy brine to pickle eggs, pickle cucumbers, make pickled red onions, make pickled garlic and even jalapenos!

Other Ways To Use This Brine

Here are 8 simple ways you can use pickling spice pickle brine:

1.  Marinade: Use this easy pickling spice juice as a marinade for meats such as chicken, pork, or beef. Let the meat soak in the brine for a few hours or overnight to infuse it with a tangy and flavorful taste.

2.  Dressing: Mix pickle brine with some oil, and other seasonings to make a delicious salad dressing. It adds a zesty and tangy flavor to any salad. This salad dressing does not utilize vinegar, but, if you were so inclined to use some, you can easily swap the lemon juice in my no vinegar dijon salad dressing with equal parts of this pickling brine for a bit of extra flavor!

3.  Potato Salad: Instead of using plain vinegar or lemon juice, add pickling spice juice to your potato salad dressing for an extra punch of flavor.

4.  Cocktails: Use pickling brine to add a unique flavor twist to your cocktails. It goes exceptionally well with vodka or gin, giving your drink a tangy and savory edge.

5.  Pickled Vegetables: Pickle your own vegetables with this simple recipe. Add fresh vegetables like cucumbers, carrots, or onions to a jar of brine and let them sit for a few days for a homemade pickled treat.

6.  Brine eggs: Use this brine to pickle hard-boiled eggs. Simply place peeled hard-boiled eggs in a jar of pickle brine and let them soak for a few days. The eggs will absorb the tangy flavor and turn into delicious pickled eggs.

7.  Soup or Stew: Add pickling spice brine to soups or stews to enhance their flavor. This brine can give a unique tang and depth to your favorite recipes.

8.  Tuna Salad: Give your tuna salad a flavor boost by adding a tablespoon or two of this pickle spice brine. It adds a zesty element that complements the tuna perfectly.

How To Store 

Store this pickling brine along with the fully submerged pickled food in it, inside your refrigerator for up to four weeks at 40°F or higher. Pickled food stored in this brine can last longer — up to two months to be exact, but the quality will start to decline after a month.

Keep the jar sealed as tightly as possible to prevent air from entering and avoid any spoilage.