The best jars for pickling are Mason-type canning jars from trusted brands like Ball, in pint and quart sizes with regular or wide mouths. For fermentation, a ceramic crock like the Humble House Sauerkrock is ideal. These jars offer safety, durability, and ease of use, especially when following USDA-recommended canning practices.
After years of trying all kinds of jars and methods, I’ve found a few standouts that make pickling easier, more reliable, and even a little more fun. Whether you’re packing spears, slices, or fermenting sauerkraut, this list includes my tried-and-true favorites.
The Best Options
🥇 1. Pint Regular Mouth Ball Canning Jars
Best Overall for Pickling
These 16-ounce jars are my everyday favorite. They’re perfect for pickle slices and fit well in the pantry. I use them for everything from pickles to preserves—except jam and jelly, which I usually can in 8 oz jars.
You can get them here on Amazon.
They’re easy to clean, sterilize, and seal. As long as they say “Ball” or “Mason,” I trust them to hold up.
✅ [How to Pickle Just About Anything (Safely and Deliciously)]
🫗 2. Pint Wide Mouth Mason Canning Jars
If I’m working with spears or whole pickles, I go with the wide-mouth version. They’re much easier to pack and great for chunky vegetables like beets.
The wide mouth makes both packing and emptying the jar easier—especially if you’re working with larger food pieces.
✅ [Canning Your Pickles for Long-Term Storage | Step-by-Step Guide]
🧊 3. Quart Regular Mouth Mason Canning Jars
For larger families or big batches, I like these regular-mouth quart jars. They’re ideal for sliced pickles, and also work well for soups and smaller veggies.
They clean easily, take up less space than wide-mouth versions, and seal reliably with standard lids and rings.
♻️ 4. Quart Wide Mouth Mason Canning Jars
Perfect for bigger produce like cucumber spears, whole gherkins, or even cauliflower. The wide mouth speeds up packing and makes it easier to remove food later.
I also use these for meat chunks, beet halves, and big-batch soup.
✅ [What Kind of Salt for Brining? (Step-by-Step Instructions)]
🏺 5. Ball 12-Oz Regular Mouth Canning Jars
This size is great for those who don’t go through pickles quickly or want to make smaller gift-sized batches. I also use these for jam, honey, and homemade dry mixes.
Compact, easy to store, and just the right size for refrigerator pickles.
✅ [Do Pickles Need to Be Refrigerated? | How to Store Them Right]
🌶️ 6. Humble House Sauerkrock 2-Quart Fermentation Crock Jar
Though not a canning jar, this ceramic crock is my go-to for fermentation. It comes with food-safe weights, is lead-free, and includes an airlock for clean, reliable fermentation.
Remember, fermentation is also a pickling method—just without the vinegar. This crock is perfect for kraut or traditional fermented pickles.
✅ [Quick Pickling vs. Fermentation | Which Should You Use?]
🧼 How to Sterilize and Prep Your Jars
Before you begin any pickling project, make sure your jars are:
- Crack-free and chip-free, especially around the rim.
- Washed in hot, soapy water or run through the dishwasher.
- Sterilized by boiling for 10 minutes or heating in a 225°F oven for 20 minutes.
- ✅ [How to Sterilize Jars and Equipment (The Simple Way)]
Always use new lids for canning and follow USDA guidelines to ensure a proper seal and safe storage.
Though not a canning jar, this ceramic crock is my go-to for fermentation. It comes with food-safe weights, is lead-free, and includes an airlock for clean, reliable fermentation.
Remember, fermentation is also a pickling method—just without the vinegar. This crock is perfect for kraut or traditional fermented pickles.
Final Tip from the Pantry
If you’re just starting out, don’t feel like you need a full shelf of every jar size. A dozen wide-mouth pints and a few quarts will cover most of your needs. Once you catch the pickling bug—and you probably will—you’ll find yourself collecting more sizes as your recipes grow.
Let your jars match your pickling style: quick fridge batches, long-term storage, or small experimental batches of something new (like Sweet vs. Dill Pickles).
👉 For a complete beginner-friendly guide, check out How to Pickle Just About Anything (Safely and Deliciously).
Related Reading:
- ✅ How to Pickle Just About Anything (Safely and Deliciously)
- ✅ Best Vinegar for Pickling | Every Type Compared
- ✅ Salt for Brining | What Kind of Salt and Step-by-Step Instructions
Anne James—lovingly known as Jelly Grandma—is a professional canner, seasoned home cook, and lifelong preserver of traditional Southern skills. With over 55 years of hands-on experience in canning, gardening, cooking, and quilting, Anne brings generations of wisdom to every guide she writes.
Featured in both local media and by national brands like Hershey, Anne now shares her knowledge through PreservingSweetness.com and her YouTube channel, helping others rediscover the “old ways” of living well and making things from scratch.