How much vinegar should a fresh pack pickle recipe have in it to prevent spoilage?
You won’t have to worry about the amounts of vinegar and water to prevent spoilage if you use reliable recipes for pickles, like those in University Extension publications and in the “Complete Guide to Home Canning,” Ag. Information Bulletin No. 539, which can be found on the National Center for Home Food Preservation website. Caution: Many old recipes contain too little vinegar to be safe. Tested recipes contain enough vinegar to prevent spoilage. Vinegar of 5 percent acidity must be used.
