For shelf-stable pickles, use real home-canning jars with two-piece lids and a tested pickling recipe. For refrigerator pickles, clean glass jars can work, but the pickles must stay refrigerated. The jar choice matters because shelf-stable canning depends on proper jars, new lids, enough headspace, the right processing method, and a safe recipe.
Best Jars for Pickling
| Jar type | Best use | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Regular-mouth canning jar | Sliced pickles, relishes, small vegetables | Works with standard two-piece lids |
| Wide-mouth canning jar | Spears, whole cucumbers, larger vegetables | Easier to pack and clean |
| Commercial food jar | Short-term refrigerator pickles only | Do not rely on it for shelf-stable canning |
| Decorative jar | Serving or refrigerated storage | Not a substitute for tested canning jars |
Jar and Lid Checklist
- Inspect jars for chips, cracks, and rough rims before using them.
- Use new flat lids for canning; screw bands can be reused if they are clean and not rusty or bent.
- Wash jars and keep them hot when the tested recipe requires hot jars.
- Leave the headspace required by the recipe.
- Use the processing method and time in the tested recipe.
- Cool jars undisturbed and check seals after cooling.
Refrigerator Pickles vs Canned Pickles
Refrigerator pickles are not shelf-stable. They are stored cold and eaten within the recipe’s refrigerated window. Canned pickles are processed in jars according to a tested recipe so they can be stored unopened at room temperature. Do not treat quick pickles as canned pickles unless the recipe includes a tested canning process.
What Not to Do
- Do not invent vinegar, water, or salt ratios for shelf-stable pickles.
- Do not reuse old flat lids for canning.
- Do not use cracked jars or jars with chipped rims.
- Do not use oven, dishwasher, or microwave shortcuts as a replacement for tested processing.
- Do not store unsealed canned pickles at room temperature.
FAQ
What jars are best for pickling?
Use real home-canning jars with two-piece lids for shelf-stable canned pickles. Wide-mouth jars are easier for pickle spears.
Can I reuse pickle jars for canning?
Use reused commercial jars only for refrigerator storage. For shelf-stable home canning, use jars made for home canning.
Do pickling jars need new lids?
Use new flat lids for canning. Screw bands can be reused if they are clean, straight, and not rusty.
Are refrigerator pickles shelf-stable?
No. Refrigerator pickles must stay refrigerated unless they are made and processed using a tested shelf-stable canning recipe.
How do I know if a canning jar sealed?
After jars cool, check the flat lid according to canning guidance. If a jar did not seal, refrigerate it and use it promptly or reprocess safely if the recipe allows.