Whether you’re picnicking in the park, barbecuing in the backyard or tailgating at the stadium, there’s one side dish that needs to be part of your spread: pickles!
Salty and sour, pickles complement so many of our favorite foods, like burgers, Cuban sandwiches and Chicago hot dogs. And unless you’re making your own pickles from scratch, it can be hard to know what brands offer the best pickles—unless you want a refrigerator full of pickle jars.
So you know that our Taste of Home Test Kitchen had to find the best pickles available.
How We Found the Best Pickles
Now we know there are a lot of types of pickles out there: slices, spears, chips, dill, sour, bread and butter and more. For this pickle taste test, we set out to find the best dill pickles. Dill is the most popular pickle variety. We bet you’ve got a jar of them in your fridge right now!
Our Test Kitchen stocked up on the eight most popular brands of dill pickles and tested them blindly. With each pickle, our picky pros kept these criteria in mind:
- Flavor: Good dill pickles should taste of cucumber, vinegar, dill and other pickling spices.
- Appearance: A good dill pickle should look appetizing; not unnatural in color but not dull or gray.
- Crunch: This is an important factor when it comes to pickles. Our team wanted crisp, crunchy pickles.
Our Test Kitchen-Preferred Dill Pickles
Our Test Kitchen crunched and munched and debated. These are the pickles that came out on top.
Best Fresh Pickles: Grillo’s Pickles Classic Dill Pickle Spears
You’ll find most pickle options in the condiment aisle of your supermarket, but don’t forget to take a look in the fresh and deli section of your grocer. That’s where you’ll find Grillo’s Pickles.
Unlike many pickles, Grillo’s manages to retain a lot of that refreshing cucumber taste. Of course, layered on top of the cucumber was the taste of fresh dill—the most dill flavor of any pickle brand our Test Kitchen sampled. Testers also found that Grillo’s perfectly balanced the salty, sour and vinegary tastes that we associate with pickles.
But these pickles were more than fresh cucumber and dill flavor. They looked just like a good homemade pickle and they had a satisfying bite: crunchy with a snap.
Because these pickles are fresh, they don’t have as long a shelf life as traditionally canned pickles, but believe us when we say not a single spear will go to waste. These rank among the best pickles anywhere.
Crunchiest Pickles: Milwaukee’s Kosher Dill Pickles
Is there anything more satisfying than a cool, crunchy pickle? We think not! In this test, our kitchen pros discovered that Milwaukee’s Kosher Dill Pickles were the absolute crispiest and crunchiest.
These whole pickles were generous in size, but not so huge that you wouldn’t want to finish one (in fact, our testers were happy to go back for seconds). Biting into these mellow green pickles, our Test Kitchen samplers got a distinct snap. Along with the satisfying crunch, testers found Milwaukee’s dills have a pleasant vinegar bite with a nice balance of dill and other pickling spices.
In short: These were the perfect picnic pickle. Several testers said they could imagine cracking open a jar to enjoy alongside summer picnic recipes like macaroni salad and turkey sandwiches.
Most Complex Flavor: Boar’s Head Kosher Dill Pickles
If you’re a pickle aficionado, you’ll appreciate a spear that’s more than just dill and vinegar. Boar’s Head Kosher Dill Pickles fits the bill.
This jar was packed with generously sized pickles as well as carrots, garlic, mustard seeds, peppercorns, dill sprigs and other spices. Our testers thought the flavor combination was lively. Plus, a selection of pickled carrots are always welcome on your relish tray alongside pickles.
Besides packing a flavorful punch, these pickles were also pretty darn crunchy thanks to the cold pack pickling process. Like Grillo’s, these Boar’s Head pickles are found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.
Best Pickles for Garlic Lovers: Mt. Olive Kosher Dill Spears
We know: Dill pickles should taste prominently of dill. But garlic is a must-have in many pickle recipes—especially in Mt. Olive Kosher Dill Spears.
These bright green pickles served up major garlic flavor. Our tasters got hints of mustard and dill too, but garlic was the primary seasoning in this jar of pickles. While these spears were definitely on the large size (picture those giant pickles you see at the deli cut into four wedges), our testers still got some crunch from the outside of the cucumber.
Overall, we’d recommend these pickles served up alongside your favorite sandwich, like a Reuben or turkey club.
Make the Most of a Jar of the Best Pickles
When it comes to getting the most out of your pickles, we know you don’t need directions. Pickles make a great treat right out of the jar. They also are welcome on any relish tray along with other pickled vegetables and olives. Slice up these spears and serve them on a sandwich or keep them whole and serve them alongside your favorite dinner.
Whenever you want to add a salty, briny kick to a dish, reach for that pickle jar.
Dill Pickle Hamburger Pizza
My husband's favorite foods are pizza and cheeseburgers, so I combined the two in a pizza with mayo and dill pickle juice topping. People who try it always laugh in surprise because it's so good. —Angie Zimmerman, Eureka, Illinois
Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bake
This bacon cheeseburger tater tot casserole is the perfect dish to bribe your kids; homework, chores, piano practice—consider them done! —Deanna Zewen, Union Grove, Wisconsin
Dilly Potato & Egg Salad
Everyone has a favorite potato salad, and this is mine. As a young bride, I was eager to learn how to cook and make things that my husband would love. I combined my mom's and his mom's recipes, and this is the delicious result. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Dilly Beef Sandwiches
My younger sister shared this recipe with me. It puts a twist on the traditional barbecue sandwich and has been proven to be a crowd pleaser. Plus, it's incredibly convenient to make in the slow cooker. —Donna Blankenheim, Madison, Wisconsin
Judy's Macaroni Salad
After finding this vintage macaroni salad recipe years ago, I tweaked the flavor and bumped up the pickles. Tuck this dill pickle pasta salad inside your picnic basket. —Elizabeth Kirchgatter, Maysville, Kentucky
South Liberty Hall Relish
My grandparents originated this recipe that's been treasured in our family for four generations. It's named after a dance hall they ran in rural Iowa. Whenever I bite into a hot dog or hamburger dressed up with this taste bud-tingling relish, I think of them and their delicious country cooking. —Melinda Winchell, Las Vegas, Nevada
Pastrami Roll-Ups
For a book club event, I created pastrami roll-ups with cream cheese and a pickle. Those tasty bites quickly pulled a disappearing act. —Merritt Heinrich, Oswego, Illinois
Cuban Sliders
These wonderful little rolls are baked until lightly toasted and the cheese melts. The leftover King's Hawaiian ham sliders keep really well in the fridge, and they make a lovely cold snack. Followers of my blog, houseofyumm.com, go nuts for these! —Serene Herrera, Dallas, Texas
Deluxe Cheeseburger Salad
I was planning to grill burgers, and then it dawned on me: How about a cheeseburger salad? The original recipe doesn't call for a tomato, but it's awesome here. —Pam Jefferies, Cantrall, Illinois
Hot Ham Sandwiches
I came up with this crowd-pleasing recipe while trying to recreate a favorite sandwich from a restaurant near my hometown. The sandwiches are easy to serve in a buffet line because they don't really need condiments. They're so flavorful just as they are! —Susan Rehm, Grahamsville, New York
Cuban-Style Pork Chops
These are like Cuban sandwiches without the bread, so they’re a bit more elegant. Let your family customize the chops with pickles, mustard and other condiments. —Erica Allen, Tuckerton, New JerseyHam & Potato Salad Sandwiches
These little sandwiches with zingy toppings are super simple to pull together. This classic version originated in a deli in Prague, where they're a really popular winter party food. —Cara McDonald, Winter Park, Colorado
Bacon Cheeseburger Rice
My husband and I thought the original skillet dish lacked pizzazz, so we created this tastier version. I've had teenage nieces and nephews request the recipe after their first bite. —Joyce Whipps, West Des Moines, Iowa
Favorite Bread & Butter Pickles
I made these pickles while growing up and love them because you can eat them with just about anything. Now, both of my children love these pickles, too. I think you'll enjoy them as much as we do! —Linda Weger, Robinson, Illinois
Deviled Egg Spread
I tried this egg salad at a luncheon and had to have it. I punched it up with pickled banana peppers. It’s a hit with my kids and picky mother. —Lisa Easley, Longview, Texas
Faux Potato Salad
Cauliflower in potato salad? You bet, along with carrots, olives and other yummy surprises. —Mike Schulz, Tawas City, Michigan
Chipotle Chili Sloppy Joes
My husband didn't like sloppy joes until he tried my rendition with its smoky heat. If you need to dial down the fiery zip, cut down on or eliminate the peppers. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona
Cheeseburger Soup
A local restaurant serves a similar cheeseburger soup but wouldn't share its recipe with me. So I developed my own, modifying a recipe for potato soup. I was really pleased with the way this all-American treat turned out. —Joanie Shawhan, Madison, Wisconsin
Chili Dog Pizza
My girls love it when I make this mash-up pizza with hot dogs and chili. It’s a marvelous way to use up leftover chili. —Jennifer Stowell, Smithville, Missouri
Fish & Chips with Dipping Sauce
My husband and I really like fish and chips, but not all the grease that typically comes along with it. I decided to give the classic dinner a makeover. Turns out the pickle dip is healthier than tartar sauce, and we like it a lot better—who knew? —Michelle Lucas, Cold Spring, Kentucky
Layered Cornbread Salad
When the garden comes in, we harvest the veggies and layer them with cornbread and sweet relish for this snappy salad. Everyone wants seconds. —Rebecca Clark, Warrior, Alabama
Grilled Brats with Sriracha Mayo
I am a Sriracha fanatic, so that’s what inspired this dish. You can boil the brats in your favorite beer to reduce the fat and give them flavor before grilling, or spread garlic butter on lightly toasted buns. —Quincie Ball, Olympia, Washington
Chicago-Style Hot Dogs
I decided to give a Chicago-style dog a healthy twist for my family. Our kids love it. You can use other fresh toppings to please just about anyone. —Gregg May, Columbus, Ohio
Refrigerator Jalapeno Dill Pickles
I’m passionate about making pickles. My husband is passionate about eating them. He's too impatient to let them cure on the shelf, so I found this quick recipe to make him happy. Add hotter peppers if you like. —Annie Jensen, Roseau, Minnesota
Burgers with Spicy Dill Salsa
When I make burgers or hot dogs for boating or barbecues, I do a take-along topping that tastes like relish meets salsa. Pile it on anything! —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
Dilly Cheese Ball
My whole family devours this herby cheese spread—even my son, the chef. Serve it with your favorite crackers. —Jane Vince, London, Ontario
Family-Favorite Cheeseburger Pasta
I created this cheeseburger pasta recipe to satisfy a craving. What a delicious, healthy classic! —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, OklahomaThe post The Best Pickles You Can Buy According to Our Test Kitchen appeared first on Taste of Home.
source https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/we-taste-tested-5-brands-of-dill-pickles-the-winner-may-surprise-you/
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