Recipe · brine · Eastern European / Polish

Full-Sour Pickle: brine, 14.0 days (5.00% brine)

The traditional ogórki kiszone. 14-21 days at cool temps produces fully sour pickles with yellow-olive color, translucent interior, intense tang. Shelf-stable for months due to high acidity + salt + cool storage. Never refrigerated during ferment.

Brine %
5.00%
Primary
14.0 days
Secondary
30.0 days
Temperature
60-68°F (15-20°C)
Vessel
crock or wide-mouth jar

Technique

Higher brine concentration than half-sour (5% instead of 3.5%) and cooler ferment (60-68°F is ideal — basement, root cellar, pantry in winter). Cucumbers + dill + garlic + horseradish root (1-2 slices per jar, for crunch) + mustard seed. Ferment 2-3 weeks. When brine is cloudy and pickles are uniformly yellow-olive with a firm crunchy texture, done. Can store cool (<60°F) for 3-4 months or refrigerate indefinitely.

Source: Polish Housewife — traditional ogórki kiszone. Last verified 2026-05-17.

Run the math: salt % · brine · temperature timing

Frequently asked questions

How do you make full-sour pickle?

Higher brine concentration than half-sour (5% instead of 3.5%) and cooler ferment (60-68°F is ideal — basement, root cellar, pantry in winter). Cucumbers + dill + garlic + horseradish root (1-2 slices per jar, for crunch) + mustard seed. Ferment 2-3 weeks. When brine is cloudy and pickles are uniformly yellow-olive with a firm crunchy texture, done. Can store cool (<60°F) for 3-4 months or refrigerate indefinitely.

How long does full-sour pickle ferment?

Primary fermentation is 14.0 days, followed by 30.0 days of secondary fermentation. Typical temperature: 60-68°F (15-20°C). Cooler kitchens slow this; warmer kitchens halve it per 10°F increase. Start tasting from day 5.

What ratio for full-sour pickle brine?

5.00% brine = salt per litre of water. Submerge vegetables fully; weigh down to keep below brine line.

What vessel for full-sour pickle?

crock or wide-mouth jar. Origin: Eastern European / Polish. Source: Polish Housewife — traditional ogórki kiszone.