Earlier this year, we helped you decide how many pickle cucumbers you need to plant for your canning goals. Today, we’re back with some tips on deciding how many pickle cucumbers you will need for canning depending on whether you are using pint or quart size jars.
This information is particularly handy if you didn’t grow the pickles but are purchasing from the Farmers Market instead. When deciding how many pickle cucumbers you will need for canning based on jar size (pint or quart), consider the following:
Understand the average number of cucumbers per jar
Generally, pint-size jars require fewer cucumbers compared to quart-size jars. On average, a pint-size jar can hold approximately 4 to 6 pickling cucumbers, while a quart-size jar can hold around 8 to 12 pickling cucumbers. These numbers can vary based on the size of the cucumbers and personal preferences.
Here’s some estimates to help get you started:
Pickling Cucumber Chart for Pint Size Jars
| Jar Number | Number of Cucumbers |
|---|---|
| 1 | 8 cucumbers |
| 2 | 16 cucumbers |
| 3 | 24 cucumbers |
| 4 | 32 cucumbers |
| 5 | 40 cucumbers |
| 6 | 48 cucumbers |
| 7 | 56 cucumbers |
| 8 | 64 cucumbers |
| 9 | 72 cucumbers |
| 10 | 80 cucumbers |
| 11 | 88 cucumbers |
| 12 | 96 cucumbers |
Pickling Cucumber Chart For Quart Size Jars
| Jar Number | Number of Cucumbers |
|---|---|
| 1 | 16 cucumbers |
| 2 | 32 cucumbers |
| 3 | 48 cucumbers |
| 4 | 64 cucumbers |
| 5 | 80 cucumbers |
| 6 | 96 cucumbers |
| 7 | 112 cucumbers |
| 8 | 128 cucumbers |
| 9 | 144 cucumbers |
| 10 | 160 cucumbers |
| 11 | 176 cucumbers |
| 12 | 192 cucumbers |
Consider the recipe or desired taste
The number of cucumbers needed can also depend on the specific recipe or the desired taste of your pickles. Some recipes may call for more or fewer cucumbers, depending on the level of crunchiness, flavor intensity, or other factors. Follow the recipe guidelines if you’re using one, or adjust the number of cucumbers based on your personal taste preferences.
Need a recipe? Try ours: Garlic Dill Pickles Canning Recipe and tips!
Account for shrinkage during processing
Keep in mind that cucumbers may shrink slightly during the canning process. They may lose moisture, resulting in a slight reduction in size. Considering this shrinkage, you might want to add a few extra cucumbers to ensure you have enough to fill your jars adequately.
Assess the size and shape of your cucumbers
The size and shape of your pickling cucumbers can also affect how many you will need per jar. Smaller cucumbers will fit more easily into pint-size jars, while larger cucumbers may be better suited for quart-size jars. If your cucumbers vary in size, you may need to adjust the quantity accordingly.
Experiment and adjust based on personal preference
Canning is often a personal and creative process, and everyone’s taste preferences can differ. It’s a good idea to start with the average number of cucumbers per jar and make adjustments based on your personal taste preferences. You can try different ratios and quantities until you find the perfect balance that suits your liking.
Remember, these tips provide general guidance for determining how many pickle cucumbers you will need for canning. It’s important to consider factors such as recipe requirements, personal taste, and the specific size and shape of your cucumbers when determining how many pickling cucumbers you will need for canning in pint or quart size jars.
