Great choice! 🥒🍅 A cucumber and tomato salad in jars is fresh, tangy, and perfect to preserve summer’s bounty. Because cucumbers and tomatoes are low-acid vegetables, we’ll be using a vinegar-based brine to make it safe for canning.
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A crisp and refreshing salad preserved in jars, flavored with onions, herbs, and a tangy brine. Perfect as a side dish, quick snack, or served with grilled meats.
🛒 Ingredients (Makes about 6 pint jars)
- 6 cups cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 6 cups tomatoes, sliced or wedged (firm, not overripe)
- 2 cups onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (optional)
- 3 cups vinegar (5% acidity, white or apple cider)
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons pickling salt
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns (divided between jars)
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds (optional, divided between jars)
- Fresh dill sprigs (optional, for flavor)
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
- Wash cucumbers and tomatoes well. Slice evenly (not too thin, so they hold texture).
- Slice onions and garlic.
Step 2: Make the Brine
- In a saucepan, combine vinegar, water, sugar, and salt.
- Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
Step 3: Pack the Jars
- Sterilize pint jars and lids.
- Into each jar, add a few peppercorns, mustard seeds, and a sprig of dill.
- Pack in layers of cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and garlic, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
Step 4: Add the Brine
- Pour the hot brine over the vegetables, covering completely.
- Remove air bubbles by running a clean knife or spatula along the inside of the jar.
- Wipe rims clean, place lids, and screw bands fingertip tight.
Step 5: Process for Canning
- Place jars in a boiling water bath canner.
- Process for 15 minutes (pint jars), adjusting time for altitude if needed.
- Carefully remove and let jars cool 12–24 hours. Check seals before storing.
🌿 Storage & Serving
- Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
- Once opened, refrigerate and use within 1–2 weeks.
- Serve chilled as a side dish, toss with greens, or enjoy straight from the jar.
✨ This cucumber tomato salad in a jar brings a taste of summer year-round—crisp, tangy, and full of garden-fresh flavor!
