🌶️ Red Hot Cucumber Rings
A Sweet, Spicy Family Favorite – Store-Bought Can't Compare!
📌 In This Article
🌶️ The Red Hot Cucumber Rings Story
"today i make Red Hot Cucumber rings, My family now won't eat the store bought stuff any more" 🌶️✨
Red Hot Cucumber Rings are one of the South's best-kept canning secrets [citation:7]. Big cucumber rings get soaked in pickling lime for a full day to firm them up, then simmered in a vinegar and alum brine before spending the next few days bathing in a hot cinnamon-sugar syrup that gets reheated and poured over them again and again [citation:7]. The result is translucent, candy-red pickle rings that taste sweet, tangy, and warmly spiced all at once [citation:7].
Yes, it takes about four days from start to jar. But the hands-on time is minimal, and the payoff is a batch of pickles you won't find in any store [citation:7]. Most people will think they are apple rings [citation:5]!
💬 A family favorite: "These are the best! These are incredible (and addictive). Sweet and crunchy. So worth the time and effort!" [citation:4]
📅 The 4-Day Timeline at a Glance
At a Glance
- Day 1: Soak cucumber rings in lime water for 24 hours [citation:1][citation:4][citation:7]
- Day 2: Rinse thoroughly, soak in ice water for 3 hours, then simmer in vinegar, food coloring, and alum for 2 hours. Make syrup and pour over rings. Let stand overnight [citation:4][citation:5][citation:7]
- Day 3: Drain syrup, reheat, and pour back over rings. Let stand another 24 hours [citation:5][citation:7]
- Day 4: Drain syrup, reheat, pour over rings again. Heat rings and syrup together, pack into jars, and process in water bath [citation:5][citation:7]
📦 Ingredients – Makes About 16 Pints
For the Cucumbers
- 🥒 2 gallons large cucumbers – peeled, cored, sliced ½-inch thick [citation:1][citation:4]
- 🧂 2 cups pickling lime – food-grade calcium hydroxide [citation:1][citation:4]
- 💧 8½ quarts water – for the lime soak [citation:1][citation:4]
- 🍎 1 cup white vinegar [citation:1]
- 🔴 1 bottle red food coloring – about 1 oz [citation:1][citation:2]
- 🧂 1 tablespoon alum [citation:1][citation:4]
For the Red Hot Syrup
- 🍬 10 cups granulated sugar – about a 5 lb bag [citation:1][citation:5]
- 🍎 2 cups vinegar – white or apple cider [citation:5]
- 💧 2 cups water [citation:5]
- 🔴 1 package (about 8 oz) Red Hot candies – cinnamon candies [citation:5]
- 🌿 8 cinnamon sticks [citation:1][citation:4]
💡 Pro tip: "Red Hots may be difficult to find but do not substitute! They are key to the flavor and color." [citation:8]
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Day 1 – The Lime Soak
- Prep the cucumbers: Peel the cucumbers. Slice into ½-inch thick rings [citation:1]. Remove the seeds using an apple corer or melon baller to create rings [citation:1][citation:7].
- Make lime solution: In a large non-reactive container (glass, ceramic, or stainless steel – DO NOT USE ALUMINUM [citation:1]), mix 2 cups pickling lime with 8½ quarts water [citation:1][citation:4].
- Soak: Add cucumber rings, making sure they're fully submerged [citation:1]. Cover and let soak for 24 hours [citation:1][citation:4].
💡 Pro Tip
"Use overripe cucumbers that have gotten large and yellowed at the end of the season – they work best!" [citation:4]
Day 2 – Rinse, Soak, and Simmer
- Drain and rinse: Drain the cucumber rings and rinse thoroughly 3 times in cold water [citation:2][citation:4]. Rinsing well is essential to remove all traces of lime [citation:4][citation:8].
- Ice water soak: Cover the rings with ice water and let stand for 3 hours [citation:2][citation:4]. Drain well [citation:2][citation:4].
- Simmer: Place rings in a large pot. Add 1 cup vinegar, 1 bottle red food coloring, 1 tablespoon alum, and enough water to cover [citation:1][citation:4]. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 hours [citation:1][citation:4]. Drain and discard the liquid [citation:4].
- Make the syrup: In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups vinegar, 2 cups water, 10 cups sugar, 8 cinnamon sticks, and Red Hot candies [citation:5]. Heat until the candies dissolve and sugar is fully incorporated [citation:5].
- Pour and soak: Pour the hot syrup over the cucumber rings [citation:5]. Let stand for 24 hours [citation:5][citation:7].
⚠️ Important: "Rinse thoroughly after the lime soak – leftover pickling lime can affect the texture and taste." [citation:7]
Day 3 – Reheat and Pour
- Drain and reheat: Drain the syrup from the rings into a pot [citation:5][citation:7]. Heat the syrup to boiling [citation:5][citation:7].
- Pour back over rings: Pour the hot syrup back over the cucumber rings [citation:7]. Let stand for 24 hours [citation:7].
Day 4 – Final Heating and Canning
- Repeat the process: Drain and reheat the syrup a third time, pour back over rings, and let stand 24 hours [citation:7].
- Final heat: On the fourth day, heat the rings and syrup together [citation:5][citation:7]. Remove the cinnamon sticks [citation:5][citation:8].
- Prepare jars: Sterilize pint jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes [citation:8].
- Pack jars: Pack the hot cucumber rings into hot jars [citation:5][citation:8]. Pour the hot syrup over them, leaving ¼ inch headspace [citation:5][citation:8].
- Remove air bubbles: Run a non-metallic spatula around the inside of each jar [citation:5][citation:8].
- Wipe rims: Wipe jar rims clean with a damp cloth [citation:5][citation:8].
- Apply lids: Center lids and tighten rings to fingertip-tight [citation:5][citation:8].
- Process: Process in a boiling water bath for 10-15 minutes (adjust for altitude) [citation:1][citation:5][citation:8].
- Cool: Remove jars and cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours [citation:1]. Check seals – lids should be concave and not flex [citation:1].
💡 Pro tip: "These are best when served very cold. Most people will think they are apple rings!" [citation:5]
💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Red Hot Cucumber Rings
- 🥒 Use large cucumbers: Overripe, yellowed cucumbers at the end of the season work best [citation:4].
- 🔪 Use a melon baller: Scoop out the seeds so each cucumber slice becomes a clean ring [citation:7].
- 🧂 Rinse thoroughly: Leftover pickling lime can affect texture and taste [citation:7].
- 🔴 Don't substitute Red Hots: They are key to the flavor and color – no substitutes! [citation:8]
- 🌿 Use wide-mouth jars: They are much easier to fill with rings [citation:1][citation:8].
- 🧊 Serve cold: These are best when served very cold [citation:5].
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I use a different candy?
Red Hots are key to the flavor and color – do not substitute! [citation:8]
❓ Can I use a water bath canner?
Yes – process pints for 10-15 minutes [citation:1][citation:5][citation:8].
❓ Can I use a pressure canner?
Water bath canning is the standard method for this recipe [citation:1].
❓ How long do they last?
Properly sealed jars last up to 18 months in a cool, dark pantry [citation:1].
❓ Why are my rings not translucent?
The 4-day process is essential for the rings to become translucent [citation:7].
❓ Can I use apple rings instead?
Yes – this recipe works beautifully with apple rings too! [citation:8]
❓ What if my jars don't seal?
Refrigerate unsealed jars and use within 2-3 weeks [citation:1].
❓ Why do I need pickling lime?
It firms up the cucumbers and prevents them from becoming mushy [citation:7][citation:8].
❓ What are signs of spoilage?
Bulging lids, off odors, or mold – discard immediately.
❓ Can I double this recipe?
Yes – but process in batches and don't overload your canner.
📄 Printable Recipe Card
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ RED HOT CUCUMBER RINGS ║
║ A Sweet, Spicy Family Favorite – 4 Days to Perfection ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
YIELD: ~16 pints | PROCESS: 10-15 min water bath
INGREDIENTS:
FOR THE CUCUMBERS:
- 2 gallons large cucumbers (peeled, cored, sliced ½" thick)
- 2 cups pickling lime
- 8½ quarts water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 bottle red food coloring
- 1 Tbsp alum
FOR THE SYRUP:
- 10 cups sugar
- 2 cups vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 1 package (8 oz) Red Hot candies
- 8 cinnamon sticks
DAY-BY-DAY INSTRUCTIONS:
Day 1: Soak cucumber rings in lime water (2 cups lime + 8½ qts water) for 24 hours.
Day 2: Drain and rinse thoroughly 3 times. Soak in ice water for 3 hours. Drain.
Simmer rings in 1 cup vinegar, food coloring, alum, and water to cover for 2 hours.
Drain and discard liquid. Make syrup with sugar, vinegar, water, Red Hots, and cinnamon.
Pour hot syrup over rings. Let stand 24 hours.
Day 3: Drain syrup, reheat to boiling, pour back over rings. Stand 24 hours.
Day 4: Repeat heating and pouring a third time. Heat rings and syrup together.
Pack rings into hot jars, cover with syrup, leaving ¼" headspace.
Process 10-15 minutes in water bath.
STORAGE: 18 months (cool, dark place).
"today i make Red Hot Cucumber rings, My family now won't eat the store bought stuff any more" 🌶️✨
© CanningRebels — Red Hot Cucumber Rings | A Sweet, Spicy Family Favorite
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