They’re briny, zippy, and more versatile than you think. Why would you throw out leftover pickle juice when you can use it to make salsa, salad dressings, cocktails, and more? It’s loaded with herbs and chock-full of flavor, after all. So it’ll add more than just acidity to a recipe. And did you know it’s a wonderful meat tenderizer to boot? How do you think Chick-Fil-A gets its meat so tender and tasty? Hint: it’s one of these pickle juice recipes!
20 Easy Ways to Use Leftover Pickle Juice
1. 4-Ingredient Dill Pickle Dip
Do you love dill pickles? How about quick and creamy dips? If the answer to those questions is yes, you’ll go nuts for this recipe. It comes together in five minutes with just four simple ingredients: cream cheese, dill pickles, fresh dill, and pickle juice. You’ll want to chop the pickle and dill into small bits, so everything fits into one mouthful. Then, mix them and the juice into the softened cream cheese. Stir everything well, and refrigerate for half an hour. That’s all it takes.
2. Pickle Juice Vinaigrette
Bright, zesty, and super pickle-y, you’ll want this pickle juice dressing on everything. So you’ll be happy to hear it’s good on salads, veggies, and fish and meat dishes. You can whip it up in just 10 minutes, with no cooking required. Simply whisk everything in a bowl, then store it in an airtight container. The vinaigrette should keep in the fridge for a good couple of weeks. And it makes everything more flavorful.
3. Dill Pickle Salad With Pasta
Cold pasta salads are a staple in the summer. Unfortunately, they can get boring if you have the same one every time. So, put a new spin on an old classic! Between the dill pickles and pickle juice, this dish is sharp and zingy. The cheddar adds a bit of richness, and the whole thing is delicious. Plus, once your pasta is ready, it shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes to make.
4. Dill Pickle Coleslaw
From one BBQ must-have to another: this cool, creamy coleslaw is a terrific side dish to ribs and burgers. It features many of the same ingredients as typical coleslaw. But dill pickles and pickle juice makes it much zestier. It requires only eight ingredients and takes a mere 15 minutes to prep. Best of all, you don’t have to do a single bit of cooking to make it.
5. Pickle Brine Chicken
Okay, here it is! The infamous pickle brine that’ll make your chicken fan-flipping-tastic! We use brines to infuse flavor into meat (usually herbs and spices, though a standard brine is just salt and water). And they’re also essential for tender, juicy poultry. But we don’t just want regular old saltwater on our birds! Instead, pickle juice is the perfect way to add flavor and moisture to chicken. Try it once, and you’ll never look back.
6. Copycat Chick-fil-A Sandwich
Are you a Chick-Fil-A fanatic? If so, you’ll love this copycat recipe for their fried chicken sandwich. It has the same taste, texture, and even the same scent. Smear some signature sauce on it, and no one will know the difference. Whip them up the next time you’re craving Chick-Fil-A on a Sunday afternoon.
7. Pickleback
I don’t often indulge in shots anymore. But this one might just convince me to try them again. The Pickleback is actually two shots meant to be downed in quick succession. You’ll start with a shot of whiskey and follow that with a shot of pickle brine. Strange, I know, but you have to try it once!
8. Pickle Juice-Brined Pork Chops
If it works on chicken, you know it’ll work on pork! Make perfectly pan-seared pork chops with just five ingredients: chops, dill pickle juice, salt, pepper, and oil. You’ll need to marinate the pork ahead to give it time to become extra juicy and flavorful. As long as dill pickles are something you enjoy, you’ll love these pork chops.
9. Dill Pickle Soup
I know what you’re thinking: dill pickle soup?! You might expect it to be sour and unpleasant, but it’s surprisingly creamy, savory, and only slightly tangy. It has a robust, herby flavor and tastes like vegetable soup – only more exciting. Use chicken broth as a base if you want a heartier, saltier soup. However, I prefer vegetable broth, as the taste is fresher and lighter. Either way, it’s so good, even the kids will love it.
10. Dill Pickle Tofu Sandwich
Do you have a vegan in your life who’ll never know the joys of Chick-Fil-A? Make them this dill pickle tofu sandwich, and they’ll be forever grateful. It’s not exactly the same thing, of course. But as far as vegan substitutes go, it’s one of my saves. Crunchy, flavorful, and tasty enough for even non-vegans to appreciate, it’s defiantly worth trying. Load it down with whatever toppings you like best, and enjoy!
11. Pickle Juice Bloody Mary
I love a good Bloody Mary – especially if it has plenty of spice and tang. And between the dill pickle juice, lime juice, and horseradish, this cocktail has plenty of both. It has that incredible veggie-and-tomato flavor that makes Bloody Marys so wonderful. However, the pickle juice ensures every sip is zippy and bright.
12. Pickle Salsa
Forget pico de gallo on your next taco Tuesday and make this pickle de gallo instead! Tart, tangy, peppery, and spicy, it somehow blends pickle juice and traditional Mexican flavors seamlessly. Check it out the next time you want to jazz up chips and homemade salsa.
13. Million-Dollar Deviled Eggs
With the many (thousands!) of deviled egg recipes out there, I’ll give you one guess as to what makes this one taste like a million bucks! Yep, that’s right: you’ll add pickle juice to mayo, butter, mustard, sugar, salt, pepper, and Tabasco sauce. That takes those yolks from tasty to totally tastebud tantalizing. Add some salty bacon crumbles on top for the finishing touch, and BAM! You’ve just made the side dish for which everyone will want the recipe.
14. Dill Pickle Martini
Also known as The Dirty Pickle, this drink combines vodka, pickle juice, and vermouth. It’s pretty strong, and with the added baby dill pickles as a garnish, it’s definitely for hardcore pickle lovers only. For best results, serve it as cold as you can get it.
15. Dill Pickle Tartar Sauce
Flaky fish with zingy tartar sauce is a thing of beauty. And it’s easier than you think to make your own sauce at home! This recipe features pickle juice (obvi) for a boost of zippy acidity that’s so welcome with usually mild fish. I wouldn’t recommend it with buttered garlic salmon. But if you like homemade fish and chips, this is the only condiment you’ll need.
16. Dill Pickle Bread
Dill pickle bread is probably the most adventurous recipe on this list. You really need to love dill pickles to enjoy this one. (Luckily, I do!) It’s just what it sounds like – homemade bread flavored with dill pickles. It’s a seriously bright and tangy loaf unlike any you’ve ever tried. Enjoy a warm slice with soup, or use it as a base for a cold-cut sandwich. Either way, it’s such a fun contrast to regular old bread.
17. Classic Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is an all-American summer side dish. And this is my new favorite way to make it. There’s the macaroni and pickles, of course. But there’s also eggs, celery, peppers, onions, Dijon mustard, and more. It’s a flavor palooza, and I am here for it.
18. Dill Pickle Potato Salad
If you’re more of a potato salad person, this recipe should hit the spot. It uses just nine ingredients and is cool, creamy, and delicious. Red potatoes are best, but any small/baby potato should do the trick. It’s not in the recipe, but I also like this with bacon bits. They add a hint of salty-meaty goodness you’ll love.
19. Dill Pickle Meatloaf
I know so many people who grew up eating this meatloaf, but I only just tried it recently. And let me tell you: it’s a game-changer! If you aren’t putting dill pickle glaze on your meatloaf, consider this your sign. It keeps it from becoming dry and tastes spectacular. In fact, it’s almost like having a delicious hamburger without the bun. Give it a try the next time you make meatloaf. You won’t be disappointed.
20. Burger Sauce
This creamy, zingy, five-minute burger sauce is the condiment you’ve been missing. Forget ketchup, mayo, and mustard; this is where it’s at. And not just because it combines all three into one mega-sauce! Seriously, though, it’s great. It combines the big three and adds pickle juice, onion powder, salt, and sugar for good measure. Click on a star to rate it!
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