Food

14 Pickle Hacks You Should Try

14 Pickle Hacks You Should Try

2023 is being touted as the year of the pickle, with online searches for pickle-flavored foods rising by 55% according to Yelp. This trend goes beyond just eating pickles straight from the jar, but also includes incorporating pickles into different dishes to elevate the humble dill pickle. Some examples include chocolate and pickles, ice cream, Kool-Aid, and even pickle popcorn and pickle whiskey.

Pickles are also making an appearance as a topping for snacks like popcorn and nuts. Retailers like Aldi have been selling pickle popcorn, and you can also find pickle whiskey, pickle pizza, and even Hot Cheetos with pickles. Some ways to incorporate pickles in your food would be topping your pizza with pickles as in the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things”, where Surfer Boy Pizza’s Argyle suggests trying before denying pineapple on pizza. Another way is featured in a Washington Post, where a pizza chain called QC Pizza created a pie influenced by a pickle roll, the “Kinda Big Dill” pizza is made from garlic dill sauce, Canadian bacon, and pickles, with another layer of pickles on top of mozzarella cheese.

Pittsburgh’s Picklesburgh festival also celebrates the city’s history of pickles, Pizza-makers have created many specialty pizzas for the event, in 2022, a local company called Woodfired featured a white sauce, pickle, bacon, and ranch pizza with provolone and mozzarella.

Additionally, pickles can also be used in sandwiches and burgers. The classic sandwich, a Reuben, made with corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, and thousand island dressing is elevated by adding pickles to it. Another sandwich trend is the “Pickleback” which is made by stacking a pickle and a slice of cheese between two slices of bread.

When it comes to burgers, many restaurants are now offering pickle-topped burgers which include a layer of pickles between the patty and the bun. Some places even offer a fried pickle as a topping.

Another way to enjoy the pickle trend is by making your own pickles at home. This can be done by simply soaking cucumbers in a mixture of vinegar, water, and spices for several days. This allows you to customize the flavor and make it as mild or as tangy as you like. You can also experiment with different vegetables, such as beets or carrots, to create unique pickles.

The pickle trend also extends to drinks. Pickle juice is a popular ingredient in cocktails, and is also enjoyed as a sports recovery drink due to its high electrolyte content. Pickle-flavored beers are also available and have been gaining popularity.

Overall, the pickle trend is all about experimenting with the ingredient and finding new ways to enjoy it. From pickle popcorn to pickle-topped burgers and even pickle-flavored cocktails, the possibilities are endless.

One popular way to enjoy the pickle trend is by infusing pickle brine with Hot Cheetos. This is a simple hack that adds a new level of flavor to your pickles. All you need is a jar of pickles and a bag of Hot Cheetos. Simply submerge the Cheetos in the juice from your pickles and let it sit for a while. The Cheetos will become soggy, but the resulting liquid will be a bright red and spicy. Then, strain the juice back into the pickle jar and add spices like pepper flakes. Shake the jar and enjoy your new, spicy pickles.

Another unique way to enjoy pickles is by making a pickle juice slush. This can be done by blending ice, lemon, and lime syrup, ½ a cup of pickle juice, and lemon-lime soda in a blender. Sonic Drive-In has offered a limited-time menu item called “Pickle Juice Slush”. Even if it may seem odd, drinking pickle juice has some claimed health benefits, such as relieving cramps, controlling blood sugar, and helping cirrhosis sufferers reduce cramping.

For those who want to add more crunch and heat to their pickles, try frying pickles coated with a tempura beer batter. Or you can use Hot Cheetos crumbs, by blending the snack so it becomes breadcrumbs like season flour with paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper, and then coat pickle spears with this mix. Then dip in egg and milk wash before covering with Hot Cheetos crumbs, cook in the air fryer, and serve with dip. Another easy version is by crushing hot Cheetos and then dipping a wet pickle in the bits to coat, which result in a crispy, crunchy, spicy, and sour snack. the possibilities are endless, it all depends on your preference and creativity.

Lastly, another popular way to enjoy the pickle and Hot Cheetos combination are by making pickle-wrapped Hot Cheetos. All you need is a jar of pickles, a bag of Hot Cheetos, and some cream cheese. Spread cream cheese on a pickle spear and wrap it with a Hot Cheeto. Repeat until you have your desired amount, and enjoy your new creation!

In conclusion, the pickle trend has been on the rise, and it is not just about eating pickles straight from the jar. Many people are experimenting with different ways to enjoy pickles, whether it’s by infusing pickle brine with Hot Cheetos, making a pickle juice slush, or frying pickles coated with Hot Cheetos crumbs. The possibilities are endless, and it’s all about discovering new flavors and having fun with the ingredient.

One way to incorporate pickles into drinks is by serving a pickleback cocktail in a pickle. A Pickleback is a shot of whiskey followed by a pickle juice chaser. To make it more visually interesting, cut off both ends of a dill pickle, scoop out the flesh with a melon baller and pour Irish whiskey into the hollowed-out pickle, and serve as an edible shot glass. Another way is by adding pickle juice to a classic Bloody Mary cocktail to give it a kick.

Another pickle hack is making your own pickles. It’s quite simple, you just need small cucumbers, white vinegar, water, granulated sugar, peeled garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, fine sea salt, black peppercorns, and whole mustard seeds. Add the cucumbers and some fresh dill, refrigerate for 24 hours and enjoy. TikTok also suggests a lazy hack, which is simply adding cucumber slices to a mostly-empty jar of pickles, refrigerating overnight and the next day you get your sour cucumbers.

Another unique combination is chocolate and pickles. Some celebrities such as Selena Gomez enjoy Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with pickles on top. You can also make your own by taking a dry pickle, adding a stick to it, coating it with Hershey’s Chocolate Shell Topping, and freezing it. it will result in a sweet crunch with a salty, sour center.

Another combination that could be unexpected is pickles and ranch dressing powder. To make this, open a jar of pickles, tear open a packet of ranch seasoning and pour it on top, and stir and shake the jar to dissolve the seasoning and infuse the pickles with the ranch flavor. Make sure to refrigerate it overnight before eating it straight from the jar.

For a snack, you can make deep-fried dill pickles with paprika-spiked batter and breadcrumb coating, and enjoy it with an onion dip. You can also make air fryer pickles by coating pickles spears with panko breadcrumbs and frying it in the air fryer.

Another way to enjoy pickles as a snack is by making pickle popcorn. Simply add pickle juice to your popcorn and enjoy the salty and sour flavor. You can also make pickle fries by cutting pickles into a fry shape and frying them in oil.

You can also make a pickle ice cream by blending pickles and cream, straining it, and freezing it. You can also add it to cocktails or beer for a unique taste.

For a more savory flavor, you can make pickle-wrapped hot dogs by wrapping a hot dog with a pickle and grilling it. You can also top your pizza with pickles or make a pickle pizza with garlic dill sauce, Canadian bacon, and pickles on top.

Overall, the pickle trend is all about experimenting with the ingredient and finding new ways to enjoy it. Whether it’s by incorporating it into drinks, snacks, or even desserts, the possibilities are endless. Some other examples of pickle hacks include adding pickle juice to mac and cheese for a tangy twist, using pickle brine as a marinade for meats, and making a pickle-flavored cake.

For those who are feeling adventurous, you can try making a pickle-flavored smoothie by blending pickles, yogurt, and honey. Or, for a savory breakfast option, you can try making a pickle-egg sandwich by adding pickle slices to your scrambled eggs.

Another way to enjoy pickles is by making a pickle brine vinaigrette for salads, it gives a nice tangy flavor to any salad. You can also make a pickle-based dip by mixing pickles, cream cheese, sour cream, and garlic powder.

In short, the pickle trend is all about being creative with the ingredient and experimenting with new flavors and combinations. There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy pickles and with so many possibilities to explore, it’s a fun and tasty way to add some variety to your meals.

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