Earlier this summer I was given some small cucumbers from a neighbors garden and since there were a few more than we could eat up quickly I decided that I would try to make some refrigerated bread and butter pickles. I looked up recipes and they all called for pickling salt. I checked my local supermarkets and one was out of it and two others didn't even carry it. Does anyone know what pickling salt is? Could I have substituted table salt?

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Hi Peggy.

I've never done pickles but do know that my mother used pickling salt and used to be able to get it at stores like Agway.

I do believe it is different from regular table salt.

Have you checked online?
From what I'm reading online, it seems that pickling salt is finer and more pure than table salt. Kosher salt is OK to use, but may not "perform as well."

On that note, I need to find some pickling experts to invite to this forum. I know we have a few - because Rosendale hosts an entire pickle festival in the fall!
i have seen it sold at adams. i have used kosher salt for refrigerated pickles and it was fine. but for water bath pickles not so much...
Hi Peggy!

Pickling salt doesn't have the iodine and anti-caking agents in it that are used in table salt. It's also finer grained to dissolve with less work. It's regular old NaCl though and table salt will work in a pinch but your pickles might not look as good due most especially to discoloration due to iodine. You can buy pickling salt online, and it's easier to find by searching "Ball Pickling Salt" "Morton's Pickling Salt" or for any other specific manufacturer by name.

KEM
So bottom line is I need pickling salt before next year when I get my next batch of cucumbers. But if I get stuck without it I may be able to make some refrigerated pickles. Thanks to all for your help with this.

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