Homemade Pickling Spice

If you don't have pickling spice in your cupboard, there is no need to rush to the store to buy some. It is so easy to make your own pickling spice, and it's economical too. 

Pickling spice is often used when preserving pickles, but you can also add it to preserved fruits and vegetables.  It can be used in stews and other meat and vegetable dishes.

If you're using pickling spice to canned jars of pickles or if you are making Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles, add the spices right into the brine.  If you are using it to cook with, place the desired amount of pickling spice in a piece of cheesecloth and tie it shut with a string. Toss this in during cooking. When the meal is done or you no longer need to season with the pickling spices, remove the cheesecloth bag.  Open the bag and toss away the used spices. You can wash the cheesecloth and use it again and again.

Ingredients

5 bay leaves
1 to 2 cinnamon sticks
2 Tbs. mustard seeds
1 Tbs. whole black peppercorns
1 Tbs. whole allspice
1 Tbs.ground ginger
1 Tbs/ coriander seeds
1 Tbs. dill seeds
1 to 2 tsp. hot pepper flakes
2 tsp. cardamon seeds
1 tsp. whole cloves

Directions

Crush or tear the bay leaves into small pieces. Place in a glass bowl or a jar that has a tight-fitting lid.

Break the cinnamon sicks into pieces. Add this to the bay leaves.

Add mustard seeds, whole black peppercorns, whole allspice, ground ginger, coriander seeds, dill seeds, hot pepper flakes, cardamon seeds and whole cloves

Stir to combine. If using a jar, put the lid on and shake the jar to mix the spices together.  Store in an airtight jar or container.