Discover how these diverse pickles will quench your thirst. See the health benefits of a dish when coupled with the tasty pickle diet.
If you’re someone who enjoys food that is acidic, full of flavor, and has vinegary goodness, then pickles are one of the best snack foods for you! There are many types of pickles you might not be aware of that can satisfy your taste buds, serve as a good snack, and be a healthy option for people that need to cut down on salty snacks. Below are some odd the best different types of pickles to choose from!
23 Types of Pickles
1. Sweet Pickles
Sweet pickles are made when the fermentation process involves pickling not only the miniature cucumbers but also by pickling sweet onions and sugar. This creates sweet pickles which are some of the most popular types of pickles for chefs and foodies alike.
If you need sweet pickles with more flavor, you can also pickle them along with pickling spices, vegetables like cherry peppers, and a variety of different seeds like celery seeds for a better depth of flavor.
2. Kosher Pickles
Kosher salt is widely used for pickling. Kosher salt is a great substitute for pickling salt, and despite common myths, there are no religious guidelines that are responsible for the name “kosher salt.” However, kosher salt does follow the Jewish dietary laws which prefer dry brining meats over other methods.
Kosher pickles are a healthy option since kosher salt doesn’t have any added minerals and is pure and natural! This type of salt doesn’t contain iodine and is most commonly known as sea salt. Fortunately, they are widely available and can be enjoyed whether you’re of the Jewish faith or not.
3. Dill Pickles
One of the most popular types of pickles is dill pickle spears. As the name suggests, these dill pickles are made by packing salt into the bring in addition to dill. Dill is a type of herb that is popular in different salads, but it is also a great combination for salmon and other types of fish. This is why dill pickles are enjoyed with many types of food, such as salmon bagels and lox!
Just like lox bagels have salty capers on them, dill pickles make a great side for all different types of fish and deli sandwiches.
4. Genuine Dill Pickles
Genuine dill pickle spears are made using only dill and vinegar brine. However, many pickles today include other types of spices, garlic, or onion mixed into the brine. Genuine dill pickles, on the other hand, are made with only high-quality miniature cucumber pickles, dill, and vinegar. You can find genuine dill pickle jars with the name “classic dill pickles” as well.
They are one of the best types of pickles for those that are hesitant to try flavored vinegar and make excellent combinations for charcuterie boards, bloody Mary’s, and other foods.
5. Candied Pickles
Candied pickles are another popular type of pickled cucumber, but they can be made with virtually any type of vegetable or, you guessed it, even candy and fruit. These types of pickles are made by using a sugar mixture during the process. They can also be available in specialty items like chamoy candied pickles. Candied cherries are also a popular choice.
These candied pickles use a fairly large amount of sugar, usually over 2 cups, during the process. It’s important to use a refrigerator, pickles made with a high amount of sugar might not be able to keep well at room temperature. In addition, when brining your pickles, make sure to use a cider vinegar brine such as apple cider vinegar.
6. Reduced Salt Pickles
There are also low salt brine pickles available for those that need to watch their salt intake. These pickles still have the same amount of flavor, and might be sold under the name “low sodium pickles.” They are made by a special process which includes lightly salting the mixture. You might also find them under the moniker “lightly salted” pickles, but these are all the same.
For people with blood pressure issues, this makes a great alternative as well.
7. Bread and Butter Pickles
Bread and butter pickles are other types of pickles that are extremely popular not just as a side spear, but as a topping and ingredient for burgers. You can find bread and butter pickles used in different types of burgers, and they are different than traditional types of dill pickle spears.
Bread and butter pickles are cut to be small and round. A bread and butter pickle jar will usually contain many different rounds of pickles, making this a good choice if you want only a small number of pickles as an ingredient instead of a bigger pickle spear.
They are an excellent choice for sandwiches and burgers since their tangy flavor cuts through the heaviness of the fatty meat.
8. Hungarian Pickles
Hungarian pickles can be a bit more difficult to find, but they are well worth the effort! That’s because there is one secret ingredient used for these Hungarian pickles, which includes black peppercorn and juniper berries!
Hungarian pickles are popular in Germany but are different from German pickles. They also use lots of dill and garlic cloves, giving it that sweet and tangy flavor they are known for. In addition, they are also made traditionally by leaving them in the sun and letting the heat of the sun pickle them. However, you can find them bottled online, which makes them more convenient to enjoy.
9. Kool-Aid Pickles
If you’ve ever had kool-aid, then you know just how sweet and flavorful kool-aid can be with just the magical powder alone. However, kool-aid pickles are now popular and are made by mixing the kool aid packets into the brine! Kool aid pickles are more of novelty food, and they are much more than colored pickles.
That’s because not only is the pickle juice combined with sugar, but it is also combined with the flavor of the kool aid. This includes tropical fruit punch, grape, cherry, blueberry, and other popular flavors. When making kool aid pickles, you’ll want to first mix the kool aid with the sugar mixture, and then put it into the pickle juice once it is well combined.
If you’re feeling brave, feel free to mix in pickle spices too! This will be one of the most delightful sugary and sour pickles you’ll enjoy.
10. Turmeric Pickles
You can add turmeric powder to your brine to make turmeric pickles, or you can take the root vegetable turmeric and cut it up to create turmeric pickles. Turmeric is hailed for being one of the most nutrient-dense and gut-healthy foods for people. Turmeric powder is also very colorful, and it has been used for many years to help fight inflammation and to improve the immune system.
Now, you can enjoy turmeric in pickled form. These types of pickles are enjoyed in Indian and southeast Asian cooking, and they can be a bit difficult to find in traditional stores. However, you can find them online or through a traditional market.
11. Cinnamon Pickles
If you find it a bit strange that people would pickle cinnamon sticks, you’ll be happy to know that cinnamon pickles actually aren’t made of cinnamon sticks! Instead, cinnamon pickles are actually made from the cinnamon red hot candies that are popular in southern households and everywhere around the Nation! We warn you, that if you’re not a fan of spicy food or don’t like the taste of cinnamon, then cinnamon pickles won’t be a good option.
However, for those that are fans of sour, spicy, and salty flavors, cinnamon pickles are the best choice for a holiday gift! They combine well as a special gift for the holidays, or they can also be used as a side for different types of foods!
12. Overnight Dill Pickles
For people that want to enjoy pickles but don’t want to bite down on a soggy pickle, overnight pickles are the best option. These overnight dill pickles are also known as refrigerator pickles and for good reason. They are made by putting the pickles into the refrigerator and leaving them overnight.
Instead of letting the pickles marinate for anywhere from three days to a week, you can enjoy these overnight dill pickles overnight. These are also a popular form of Chinese food and are also known as cold Chinese cucumbers. They can be combined with spicy and sesame oil, to create sour pickles that are more of an appetizer than a snack.
13. Pickled Cabbage
Pickled cabbage is also known as kimchi, and they are one of the most popular forms of cuisine for people in Korea! However, pickled cabbage is now becoming more and more popular, and it is even said to be good for your gut health. Kimchi is available in many different stores today, and it might be found in your Asian or world food aisle.
It is spicy and tangy, and it is often found in traditional Korean restaurants as a side dish for Korean barbecue. This is known as “banchan,” and it is one of the best choices for people that want to get their taste buds satisfied with a sour and spicy mixture!
14. Lime Pickles
As the name suggests, lime pickles are made by using a combination of pickling lime, salt, and other spices if you want! These lime pickles often contain seed mixes including mustard seeds, celery seeds, dill seeds, fennel seeds, and more. Lime pickles are a bit more difficult to make, often being made with a process that involves a two-day brining period, and then more time to pickle.
However, if you want to enjoy lime pickles now and have a craving, you can easily buy them online from Amazon! Lime pickles can be made with cucumber pickles, but they can also go well with bean sprouts.
15. Gherkin Pickle
Gherkin pickles are fantastic for charcuterie boards, and also for decoration for different types of dishes such as bloody Mary’s. Gherkin pickles are known for their small size and are no different than other types of pickles besides their small size.
These pickles are harvested early on, and it comes from the Dutch word “Gurken” meaning small. Gherkin pickles are made from baby cucumbers, and they are enjoyed worldwide! If you want to make a classy party, and want to add a sour taste to any type of dish you’re making, we recommend using gherkin pickles.
16. Pickled Vegetables
In addition to kimchi, which is pickled cabbage, you can also enjoy different types of pickled vegetables. From pickled onion to pickled garlic, pickled vegetables are often used in cooking. For instance, when making a soup, instead of cutting up fresh onions you can use pickled baby onions for a deeper flavor and added convenience.
Pickled vegetables can also be made of peppers, carrots, green beans, cauliflower, and more. For those that are new to canning and that want to get their feed wet in pickling, pickled vegetables are one of the best options. These pickled vegetables can be crunchy, and they can provide good practice for those that want to experiment with different brining timelines.
17. Mustard Vegetables
If you’ve never heard of mustard pickled cucumber, you’re not alone. These are special types of pickled cucumber that are made using a combination of mustard seeds, turmeric, and sugar! Mustard pickles can be used as a condiment since they will create a thick pickle juice that can be used on different types of foods.
Mustard pickles can also be brought online, or you can buy relish that contains mustard for a good combination of sour, creamy, and tangy. Mustard pickles and mustard pickle relish are a specialty, but they are well worth the hunt in your supermarket!
18. Half Sour Kosher Dill Pickles
Half sour kosher dill pickles are also known as “half-sours,” and they are beloved kosher dills in the Jewish community! They are known as half sour pickles because their pickle juice is lower in salt content than traditional pickles. They are only around 3% salt, and the fermentation process involves the pickle not being cooked beforehand.
Because the pickling process only involves the pickled cucumbers being refrigerated, these types of pickles are crunchier, with lower salt content, yet all the sour flavor that people love!
19. Pickled Carrots
If you need something with a sweet taste for game nights, pickled carrots are a great option. This is a sweet pickle that comes in sticks, or that is sometimes mixed in with traditional Mexican pickled jalapeños.
For those that want condiment vegetables for their wings, and enjoy a sour taste with a little bit of sweetness, these types of pickles are one of the best options. In addition, these pickles can also be accompanied by different pickling spices if needed.
20. Mustard Seed Pickles
Pickles with mustard seeds are widely available, and they add a unique spicy flavor to your sandwiches. Mustard seeds are often used for their depth of flavor, and mixing them in with dill pickles, different types of pickle spices, and coriander seeds make a pickle that is incredibly flavorful and makes a delicious snack all on its own.
You can also use these if you’re making a charcuterie board and need a pickle that stands up to the different sweet, salty, and crunchy flavors on your board.
21. Pickled Pepper
Pickled pepper can be sweet or spicy, and they are enjoyed for their beautiful bold colors. Some pickled items might use red food coloring, but most pickle brine is natural and has a sweet taste when using pickled peppers!
You can also find different types of pickles that might combine peppers in their mixture. Pickled peppers make a good side dish for sandwiches, but they can also go well with cooked pasta and other pickles on your charcuterie board.
22. Bright Green Pickles
If you’re looking for a festive way to enjoy deli sandwiches or Chicago hot dogs, we recommend using bright green pickles and relish for your next cookout. Bright green pickles usually get their color from artificial coloring, but they are still quite delicious and make a perfect combination for your sandwich.
Although they are not traditional pickles, bright green pickles are made of relish and are widely found in concession stands everywhere. They are made of pickles that have been cut up finely and are a great way to enjoy pickles directly on your favorite food through a spread-like form.
23. German Pickles
German pickles are known for their longer brining process. These types of pickles are made by brining them for days or even weeks at a time. They also combine different types of spices along with fresh cucumbers, such as mustard seeds, caraway seeds, and fennel seeds among others.
Different types of pickles claim to be German, but the difference will be in the smooth taste and the longer brining period of the pickles.