How to store lightly salted cucumbers after pickling so that they do not spoil or become oversalted

In the summer we eat cucumbers fresh, add them to salads, salt them for the winter and pickle them according to our favorite recipes. Lightly salted cucumbers are one of the popular winter preparations. Housewives often ask questions about how to store them in the refrigerator, whether they can be stored without brine, and how to generally extend their shelf life.

In the article we will talk about where and how to store cucumbers after pickling.

Features of storing lightly salted cucumbers

Lightly salted cucumbers - vegetables with less saltthan in winter conservation. This explains their short shelf life.

No matter what recipe you cook them with, the result will be after a while the cucumbers will become simply salty and will lose their flavor or turn sour and turn into pickled ones.

But save this summer delicacy for a few days it will work if you follow the rules:

• store the product in a cool place - refrigerator, cellar, since heat accelerates the processes of salting and fermentation, and cold slows it down;
• transfer the vegetables from the brine into a hermetically sealed bag - this will briefly extend their shelf life and allow you to eat lightly salted cucumbers;
• salt them in small portions.

Considering these nuances, you can store cooked cucumbers for several days longer. or avoid their damage. It is much more convenient to pickle another batch than to throw away the remains of the first.

How to prepare lightly salted cucumbers:

How to simply and deliciously prepare lightly salted cucumbers

How to cook lightly salted cucumbers in a bag

In banks

Storage in banks involves the use of cold or hot pour brine.

Jars are sterilized to remove bacteria that cause rot and mold. The disadvantage will be the space occupied by glass containers, since cucumbers with brine take up more space than vegetables in a bag. But jars can also be stored at room temperature.

Cooking technology allows you to store lightly salted cucumbers in glass from several days to several months.

In the package

The most convenient way to store. Allows you to keep cucumbers without brine and not take up extra space in the refrigerator.

Important! A bag of cucumbers cannot be left at room temperature for more than a day. This will lead to fermentation and spoilage of the product.

You can store the pickling in the refrigerator in a bag for up to one week., but due to the lack of moisture, the vegetables will shrivel and look unappetizing.

Terms and conditions of storage

How long do lightly salted cucumbers last? Deadlines depend not only on storage conditions, but also on the method of preparing the dish:

• lightly salted cucumbers, prepared quickly, retain their taste for no longer than two days;
• sliced ​​ones cook in a few hours, but also quickly lose their taste - the next day;
• adding pepper (hot and allspice) extends shelf life;
• in a hermetically sealed container in the refrigerator, cucumbers without brine can be stored for a week;
• salting without water, using a dry method, increases the storage period, and hot pouring shortens it.

Shelf life of lightly salted cucumbers under different conditions and with different cooking methods:

• cold pickling is stored for 4-6 days at a temperature of +10°C, but every day the taste will become saltier or sour;
• at temperatures from 0 to +3°C, cucumbers stand in brine for up to ten days;
• in an airtight container at 0°C, the fermentation processes stop, but the salting continues, the taste of the vegetables will change, they will last for two weeks;
• Lightly salted cucumbers prepared in a bag without water will last for 6-8 days if the temperature is maintained at -1 to +1°C, but will shrink.

How to extend the deadline

They will help extend the short storage of lightly salted cucumbers. a few simple ways:

• Place the cucumbers in a cool place after cooking;
• use cold water to pour the product;
• Do not cut off the ends of the cucumbers so that they last longer, but bringing them to readiness in this case will take longer;
• use clean containers for pickling;
• remove the product not with your hands, but with a fork - this will help avoid the introduction of excess bacteria;
• separate cucumbers by size - larger fruits need more time to absorb salt, which means they will retain their quality longer.

When salting, lactic acid fermentation occurs in the first days, then it turns into butyric acid. To preserve the saltiness of cucumbers, you need to prevent the products from going to the second stage of fermentation.

If you track the moment, immediately close the jars hermetically and send them to a cold place, then the processes will stop, and the fruits will remain lightly salted for several months.

Take note:

Recipes for instant lightly salted tomatoes

How to make quick-cooking lightly salted zucchini

Crispy lightly salted zucchini in a bag in 5 minutes

Storing lightly salted cucumbers in the refrigerator

In the cold, lightly salted cucumbers retain their taste longerthan at room temperature.In summer, you will need a refrigerator to preserve the finished product for several hours or several days.

You can store vegetables in the refrigerator with brine or dry, in any container: bags, jars, pans with lids, airtight containers.

The advantage of cold storage is the extension of shelf life. lightly salted cucumbers and preserving their unique taste.

How to store lightly salted cucumbers so that they do not oversalt

Malosolka is not prepared in jars that have been sealed for the winter. — you can open it and test the readiness of the product. Housewives rely on intuition and experience.

Much depends on personal preference. Some people like pickles that have stood in brine for several days, while others eat them still “warm” a couple of hours after preparation.

Basic measures to prevent over-salting:

• monitor the condition of the finished product;
• strictly observe the proportions of salt, sugar and spices;
• take into account the size of vegetables, salting method, storage temperature;
• cook in small portions.

If the cucumbers are still over-salted, then a few simple steps will help save them.:

• washing under running water;
• pouring new brine with added sugar instead of salt;
• When dry pickling, sugar, fresh herbs and crushed garlic are poured into washed cucumbers.

Is it possible to store without brine?

A lightly salted product can not only be stored without brine, it is often prepared without liquid. This method allows you to keep cucumbers not in a glass jar or enamel bowl, but in a plastic bag.

Attention! If you do not plan to use water, be sure to cut off the ends of the cucumbers so that they release the juice.

You can pickle sliced ​​cucumbers without brine. Remember that the shelf life of products in this form is significantly reduced.But using a bag allows you to place cucumbers on the shelves of the refrigerator compactly and conveniently.

Useful tips

Recommendations will help you prepare delicious lightly salted cucumbers experienced housewives:

1. Choose your vegetables wisely. There are varieties that are only suitable for fresh salads. Fruits that are covered with black spines and thin skin are suitable. After salting, they will remain strong and tasty.
2. Before pickling, try the selected cucumbers - they should not be bitter.
3. The fruits should be medium in size. If the cucumbers are large and thick, then cut them into circles. Choose the same ones, then they will cook at the same time.
4. If the vegetables are wilted, they are still suitable for lightly salted vegetables, but it is better to soak them in cold water for a couple of hours first. This will help restore moisture and make them crispy, springy and firm.
5. Do not use vinegar for lightly salted foods. It will deprive the cucumbers of their classic taste.
6. Experiment with spices. When salting, add not only salt, but also sugar, garlic, dill, currant leaves, cherries, and horseradish. But keep in mind that such cucumbers have limited time to absorb the aroma.
7. Proper installation is important. Arrange vegetables in layers, alternating them with spices. Do not compact or crush under any circumstances.
8. If you use a pan or barrel as a container for salting, then cover the surface with a plate and place a small weight.
9. To avoid mold, sprinkle horseradish or mustard powder on top of the food.

Conclusion

Not only summer residents, but also those who do not have their own plot, often prepare lightly salted cucumbers in the summer. This dish has taken root on the table of Russian housewives: it goes well with new potatoes or a piece of black bread.

Use our tips on the proper preparation and storage of lightly salted cucumbers, and bon appetit!