What Are The Best Jars For Pickling?

Row of glass jars filled with colourful pickled vegetables on a wooden shelf

What Are The Best Jars For Pickling?

Pickling is one of the oldest forms of food preservation and one of the most rewarding. A jar of pickled red onions, spiced cucumbers or sharp green chillies can elevate a simple meal to something genuinely special. But success depends not just on your brine recipe; the jar you choose matters more than you might realise.

What Makes a Good Pickling Jar?

A pickling jar needs to meet three essential criteria:

Airtight seal to preserve the food and prevent contamination
Acid resistance pickling brine is highly acidic; the lid and seal must not corrode or react
Wide mouth makes packing vegetables easier and allows for thorough cleaning and reuse

This rules out most decorative jars and anything with a metal interior lid that directly contacts the food unless it is properly food safe lacquered.

The Best Jar Types for Pickling

1. Twist Off Lid Jars (Most Versatile)

Standard glass jars with twist off lids, commonly used in commercial jam and preserve production, are excellent for pickling. They create a reliable vacuum seal, and replacement lids are inexpensive and easy to source.

Best for: sliced vegetables, chutneys, relishes, pickled fruits

Sizes to consider:

350ml (ideal for single use batches)
500ml (family sized portions)
720ml (bulk storage)

2. Swing Top Bail Closure Jars

Swing top jars with rubber seals are popular thanks to their rustic look and simple closure mechanism. The metal bail holds the rubber gasket tightly in place, making them reusable. Just swap out the seal each season.

Best for: whole vegetables (cornichons, jalapeños, pearl onions), kimchi, fermented pickles

Note: These jars are not suitable for high acid water bath canning. The seal is not designed to withstand prolonged heat and pressure, so they are best for refrigerator pickles or short term storage.

3. Wide Mouth Mason Style Jars

Wide mouth jars with a two-part lid system (flat sealing disc plus screw band) are widely considered the gold standard for safe pickling. Increasingly available in the UK, they offer reliable sealing for long-term preservation.

Best for: dill pickles, pickled beetroot, bread and butter pickles, shelf stable preserves

4. Le Parfait Weck Style Clip Jars

These European style jars feature glass lids, rubber seals and metal clips. They provide a strong airtight seal but require a new rubber ring for each use to maintain safety and performance.

Best for: fermented vegetables, kimchi, traditional continental preserving methods

Jar Size Guide for Pickling

250ml Best for single portions, gifts, and testing new recipes.

350ml Perfect for everyday fridge pickles and small servings.

500ml Ideal for family use and market sales.

720ml – 1 Litre Designed for bulk batches and large households.

Choosing the right size helps minimise waste and ensures your pickles stay fresh once opened.

What to Avoid

Not all containers are suitable for pickling. Avoid the following:

Metal containers that will corrode over time when exposed to acidic brine
Cracked or chipped jars that compromise the seal and structural integrity
Rusty lids since even minor rust can contaminate your food
Non food grade glass as decorative jars may release harmful substances when exposed to acid

Lid Materials and Acid Compatibility

The lid is just as important as the jar itself. Poor quality lids can ruin an otherwise perfect batch.

Look for:

Lacquered or vinyl coated lids that are resistant to acidic reactions
Plastic lined metal lids widely used in commercial preserving
Glass lids with rubber seals completely acid resistant and ideal for fermentation

Ready to pick your perfect jar?

Explore our curated selection of premium glass jars designed specifically for durability and safety. Whether you're making spicy jalapeños or classic dill pickles, we have the right fit for your kitchen.

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