A jar of pickles (Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels)
Pucker up, pickle lovers! We’re about to dive into the deliciously tangy world of the best pickles around. From classic dills to spicy bread-and-butters, we’ve scoured the shelves to bring you the cream of the crop – or should we say, the crunch of the crop? Whether you’re a sandwich enthusiast looking for the perfect sidekick, a snack fiend craving that satisfying crispness, or a culinary adventurer ready to explore new flavor territories, our round-up of top-tier pickles is sure to tickle your taste buds. Get ready to relish in the glory of these jarred jewels that’ll add a zesty zing to any meal or moment! Let us know your suggestions in the comments below!
StudyFinds compiles lists of consensus picks featured on credible review sites. We aim to lay out top consumer research finds for you by bringing expert rankings to one place.
Top 5 Pickles, According to Experts
1. Grillo’s Pickles Fresh Pickle Spears
These tasty pickles are available nationwide at retailers like Costco but they also come with some critical feedback from our sources. “Rise and brine! Garlic-heavy, sour and full of crunch, Grillo’s took home top honors in this contest of the cucumbers with a pickle that excelled in practically every category. But for the love of all things holy, please come up with a different container. The plastic doesn’t close properly and spills everywhere. And while I freakin’ love a pickle, its juice is not something I’d like to become my signature scent,” says Today.
Despite minor complaints about the bucket, these pickles are still top rated. “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,” according to Taste of Home.
“The number one pickle brand in the supermarket is Grillo’s Pickles Dill Spears. What made these instantly rise to the top was the overall look, which resembled a fresh cucumber the most, with bright green skin and pale green flesh. The pickles were very crunchy and had a strong dill and garlic taste. In fact, there’s dill and garlic floating around in the brine the pickles are packed in. Because these pickles are made, shipped, and sold cold they keep a lot of their juiciness without compromising texture. They are also the most natural of the bunch with just cucumbers, brine, garlic, dill, and grape leaves as the ingredients,” adds Eat This, Not That!.
2. Claussen Kosher Dill Pickles
Next on our list is Claussen’s refrigerated pickles. “To start, let’s dive into the texture. They’re super crunchy, yes, but I also found that the cucumbers they used in these pickles were just really good. They’re firm and fleshy with a thin, snappy skin, so any bite you take of a pickle spear will be a good bite — whether it’s a bite from the ends or right in the middle,” raves BuzzFeed.
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty details. “The juice is a nice light green hue, paired with mustard seed, dried red peppers, and dried garlic in the brine. They’re a nicely colored pickled, without too much neon green coming through, giving off the appearance and feeling of freshness,” writes Mashed.
“Look for Claussen in your grocery store’s refrigerated section for a pickle with plenty of crunch that’s also loaded with a balanced vinegary kick and a good dose of spice. They’re the perfect snacking pickle—sure, they’d be great on a burger or Chicago dog, but they’re just as good as a side dish (or a movie snack if you’re feeling weird)… Whatever’s happening inside the Claussen jar, we’re here for it. And, more importantly, it’s here for us,” adds Epicurious.
3. Dietz & Watson Kosher Pickle Spears
Dietz & Watson is a brand of fine delicatessen foods that is available in supermarkets nationwide. “The quality and consistency of their products are practically unmatched and these dill pickles are a great example. This gigantic tub features the best dill pickles we tried in our dill pickle taste test. They’re crunchy, flavorful, and juicy. They’re briney without being too salty. They’re a classic dill pickle in the best way possible. I brought these home after our taste test and have been snacking on them all week,” according to Sporked.
“Sometimes bigger is better with these oversized spears that were heavy on size, garlic, dill, crunch and salt. In fact, they were so neck-and-neck with the winner that I gave myself 24 hours to rethink my decision. Ultimately, it came down to flavor boldness and what left a lasting impression,” writes Yahoo!.
“This brand branches out from traditional dill with a variety of intriguing flavors to please all palates. Garlic lovers will enjoy the sour garlic variety (which isn’t TOO overpoweringly garlicky), and the sweet horseradish flavor might tempt even bread and butter traditionalists,” adds Daily Meal.
4. Mt. Olive Kosher Dill Spears
Mt. Olive pickles have a balanced garlicky flavor with subtle sweetness. “This was one of the most well-balanced of the bunch, but there was nothing about the cuke that really stood out. It’s nostalgic — we love a Mt. Olive pickle — but other jars and tubs shined a little bit brighter. That’s all.,” according to Today.
For more on their zap of garlic flavor: “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… Overall, we’d recommend these pickles served up alongside your favorite sandwich, like a Reuben or turkey club,” adds Taste of Home.
“The Mt. Olive Kosher Dill Spears is one of my all-time favorites as a pickle enthusiast… Mt. Olive has a rich history as a family-owned pickle company that has been producing high-quality pickles since 1926, using traditional methods and the freshest cucumbers. These Kosher Dill Spears are made with premium cucumbers that are hand-picked and brined with Mt. Olive’s signature blend of spices, vinegar, and salt, resulting in a crisp and flavorful pickle,” writes Restaurant Clicks.
5. Vlasic Kosher Dill Spears
“The one with the Stork,” is how Vlasic is often remembered by shoppers, but the balanced flavor keeps consumers coming back for more. “Vlasic carefully selects their pickles and brines them with their signature blend of spices, vinegar, and salt, resulting in a crunchy and tangy treat. With a perfect balance of sourness and dill flavor, you can’t go wrong with this pickle brand,” writes Restaurant Clicks.
They deliver on both flavor and crunchy texture. “The signature crunch of a Vlasic makes this jar a pantry classic. It’s a larger spear that tasted more salty than tangy, which is great to quell any sudden hankerings for sodium. But it’s maybe not the best as a sandwich topper that is already laden with sodium-heavy cold cuts and condiments. Again, this pickle is not terrible by any stretch of the imagination, but it simply didn’t stack up to its competition,” writes Today.
“This is the classic dill pickle that I think of when I think of dill pickles. The taste was smooth and refreshing without being overwhelming. The pickle had a nice snap to it when I bit into it, and the interior of the pickle wasn’t completely soggy. Overall, I would keep these in my fridge on a regular basis. These also contain polysorbate 80 and natural flavors but are naturally colored with turmeric,“ adds Eat This, Not That!
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
