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    Home » Recipes » Kitchen Staples

    German Mustard Pickles - Senfgurken

    Published: Jul 30, 2021 · Modified: Mar 8, 2022 by Angela Schofield · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Sweet and sour taste, they unfold a wonderful. The mustard seed gives a spicy undertone. The cucumber pieces have a crunchy bite and yet almost melt in your mouth.

    Homemade German Pickles

    The perfect side dish for German Brotzeit - pickled gherkins!

    Senfgurken are German sweet-sour mustard cucumbers. These sweet-tangy pickles are delicious and very popular in Germany. They are difficult to find in the US but you can make them yourself, fast, easy and very affordable.

    This is the perfect recipe for you, if you always wanted to make some pickled cucumbers but hesitated because you did not want to buy canning equipment or go through a huge process. You can use your own garden cucumbers for the recipe, but you also can buy cucumbers from the farmer´s market or supermarket.

    Senfgurken

    What does "Senfgurken" mean in English?

    "Senf" is the German word for mustard and "Gurken" means cucumbers.

    How to pronounce "Senfgurken"?

    Listen to this audio file to hear how to say "Senfgurken" in German.

    click play button to listen

    Listen to this audio file to hear how to say "Senfgurken" in German.

    Video Tutorial - How to make Senfgurken at home
    Easy Homemade German Mustard Pickles

    Best Cucumbers for Mustard Pickles

    Slicing/English cucumbers are perfect for these sweet & sour pickles. Make sure to use ripe cucumber which are fresh and firm.

    Where to buy German mustard pickles?

    You can find different brands of Senfgurken on Amazon and in European specialty stores or German deli shops. The brand Hengstenberg is on of the most popular and beloved brands for Senfgurken in Germany.

    How long can I store the pickles in my fridge?

    The pickles stay good for several month in a cool and dark environment.

    Authentic German Mustard Pickles Recipe

    Recipe

    Senfgurken Recipe

    German Sweet & Sour Mustard Pickles

    Angela Schofield
    Homemade pickles can be made without canning equipment. Try this recipe for delicous German sweet and sour mustard pickles and see for yourself how easy it can be to make pickles at home.
    4.30 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Share on Facebook Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Kitchen Staples
    Cuisine German
    Servings 2 mason jars (medium sized)
    Calories 30 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ½ pounds cucumbers
    • ½ tbsp. salt
    • ¾ cup white wine vinegar
    • 1 ¼ cups water
    • ½ cup sugar
    • ½ tbsp. mustard seeds
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 2 whole all-spice
    • ¼ tsp. coarse black pepper optional

    Instructions
     

    • Peel the cucumbers and cut into halves.
    • Remove seeds with a small spoon.
    • Cut into finger think slices.
    • Sprinkle with salt, mix well and set aside for about 2 hours.
    • After the resting time the cucumbers will have released some liquid.
    • Add them to a colander to drain.
    • Add the water, vinegar, sugar and spices to a small sauce pan and bring it to a light simmer.
    • Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
    • In the meantime, place the cucumber slices to the mason jars.
    • Fill up with the pickling brine and immediately.
    • Store in the fridge for at least one week, better 4 weeks.
      This will result in softer and more flavorful cucumbers.

    Notes

    The pickles will keep several months in the fridge.

    Nutrition

    Yield: 1PortionCalories: 30kcalCarbohydrates: 7gSugar: 6g
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Tip

    If you prefer your pickles less firm add them to the pickling prime while simmering for 5 minutes.

    German Mustard Pickles

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Robert says

      October 21, 2022 at 6:14 pm

      Will try to get my wife to try making these sometime in the future. Years ago the Atkins Pickle Company of Atkins, Arkansas made many style of pickles and their senf gherkins, made with small cucumbers of about 2 to 21/2 inches long were the absolute best pickles I have ever tasted. Their dill slices were also very good. I have never eaten any pickles that compared to those made by Atkins. Vlasic pickles are about 1/2 as good as the Atkins were.

      Reply
      • Angela Schofield says

        October 21, 2022 at 8:42 pm

        I hope you can convince your wife to make them. Thank you for sharing your experience with the senf gherkins, I did not know that someone in the US produced them. I just love them and you can adjust the recipe to your taste. Happy to help if you need some input.

        Reply
    2. Vija Cox says

      November 07, 2022 at 4:30 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely the best. I just can’t seem to get enough of these pickles. I’ve been buying them from the German store and making them. SUPER!

      Reply
      • Angela Schofield says

        November 07, 2022 at 7:41 pm

        So glad you enjoy these pickles too!

        Reply

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    Herzlich willkommen! I'm glad you've stopped by.

    It is a joy to share with you some of my all-time favorite authentic German recipes and tell you a little bit about the cultural background of my home country, Germany.

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