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What are the Different Types of Pickles?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

The food preservation technique we call pickling has been practiced in some form or another for thousands of years. Soft-skinned vegetables such as cucumbers, cabbages, beets and peppers are placed in a special brining solution containing vinegar, salt, water, various peppercorns and spices. After several hours, days or even weeks spent in this salt water bath, much of the vegetable's natural juices have been replaced with an acidic brine that naturally discourages harmful bacterial growth. Most pickles do not require refrigeration because of this natural acidity.

When most of us hear the word "pickles," we immediately think of cucumbers, which are by far the most common vegetables used. Other fruits and vegetables can be brined, but only cucumbers are marketed as pickles. Not all cucumbers are used, however; the larger American cucumber variety commonly found in salads does not usually do well during the pickling process. Instead, smaller varieties are grown specifically to become one of the many of types found on grocery shelves.

Pickling cucumbers growing on the vine. The pickling mixture is what makes them sour or sweet.
Pickling cucumbers growing on the vine. The pickling mixture is what makes them sour or sweet.

One of the most popular type of pickles are called dills or kosher dills. The brine used to create a dill uses a substantial amount of the dill weed herb, plus a significant amount of garlic. The resulting pickles are commonly found stored in large barrels and served as a side dish with deli sandwiches. Whole ones are crunchy, with a strong hint of garlic and a slightly sour dill weed bite. Sliced versions are commonly placed on hamburgers as a sharp counterpoint to the hearty meat flavor. Smaller ones, called gherkins, may serve as snacks or condiments on a party tray. Dill pickles may also be chopped into a form of relish.

Dill weed is a common seasoning for cucumber pickles.
Dill weed is a common seasoning for cucumber pickles.

Another variety commonly found in grocery stores is called sweet pickles. This type is brined in a solution containing more sugar and less garlic. Smaller cucumbers and gherkins are often used to make them. They are rarely offered as side dishes in delis and restaurants because of their intense flavor. Sweet pickles are more commonly used in cold salads and relishes.

Pepperoncinis are often pickled and used as a condiment on a variety of foods.
Pepperoncinis are often pickled and used as a condiment on a variety of foods.

Alongside the sweet and dill, you may find bread and butter pickles. Bread and butter types are not quite as sweet as sweet pickles, but they do not have the same sour bite as dill. Many people prefer the taste of this variety on sandwiches or cold salads. It is rare to find a whole ones — they are more likely to be offered in slices or relish cubes.

Sauerkraut, which is made of pickled cabbage.
Sauerkraut, which is made of pickled cabbage.

Many home cooks prefer to make their own from organic cucumbers and home recipes. One example of this is called a 14 day pickle, a name referencing the amount of time spent in the brining process. It can be very sweet, with overtones of both the traditional sweet and the bread and butter varieties.

There are also specialty pickles for those who enjoy an exotic flavor. Greek peppers called pepperoncinis are often pickled and served as a spicy condiment on sandwiches, pizzas and salads. Mixtures of dills, pearl onions, jalapeños and cauliflower florettes may be brined in a very spicy solution to yield hot mixed pickles. Various fruits may also be pickled in a sweet brine and served year round. Some people even use watermelon rinds. Beets are routinely pickled, as is cabbage to form sauerkraut.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular DelightedCooking contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular DelightedCooking contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon357865

Are cornichons pickles considered sweet or sour or dill. They smell sweet but taste sour and dill?

Kristee

I've watched my neighbors while they were canning pickles before, and they made it look so easy. Of course, they have been canning fruits and veggies all their lives, so they have the process memorized.

I noticed that they used fresh sprigs of dill weed rather than the dried kind. I'm sure this is much more potent, as fresh herbs usually are.

They also put in some black peppercorns. Those are highly fragrant, too.

JackWhack

Which type of pickle is best in tuna salad? Should I go with salty or sweet?

I've eaten it before, but I've never really been able to distinguish the source of sweetness. I think it might be the mayonnaise, and I don't want to make the salad too sweet by adding sweet pickles.

shell4life

@giddion – I used to eat only kosher pickles, but then, a friend introduced me to bread and butter pickles. Have you ever tried them?

They are a little sweet, but not overpoweringly so. They are a happy medium between kosher and sweet pickles.

They taste amazing on hamburgers. My friend makes his burgers with minced garlic and steak seasoning, so they are very savory, and the bread and butter pickles are able to both complement the saltiness and provide a nice contrast with a bit of sweetness.

I know you think that sweet pickles are a contradiction, but if you just give these a try, you might like them. It's a compromise on both parts.

giddion

My husband and I are like fire and ice with our pickle preferences. He adores sweet pickles, but I can't stand them! I go with dill pickles every time.

It just seems wrong to me to combine something so sweet with something so sour! I eat pickles on turkey sandwiches, and to add sweetness to that would just seem so wrong. I think it would make me queasy!

anon152055

I love dill pickles! When I was over at a friends house (who is a pickle lover as well) we finished off a jar of pickles and dipped tortilla chips into the brine. Delicious! We've also added pickle brine to sauces and other random stuff.

anon129440

What is the difference between a sour pickle and a dill pickle? I have a recipe that calls for sour pickles and I cannot find them in the stores.

anon88780

how do I make pickled okra?

anon73793

Don't forget pickled okra and pickled eggs are also good!

6pack

My favorite pickles are cornichons (the French gherkin). They're small and very tart -- a perfect accompaniment to a appetizer platter!

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    • Pickling cucumbers growing on the vine. The pickling mixture is what makes them sour or sweet.
      By: Natalya Korolevskaya
      Pickling cucumbers growing on the vine. The pickling mixture is what makes them sour or sweet.
    • Dill weed is a common seasoning for cucumber pickles.
      By: Viktor
      Dill weed is a common seasoning for cucumber pickles.
    • Pepperoncinis are often pickled and used as a condiment on a variety of foods.
      By: travis manley
      Pepperoncinis are often pickled and used as a condiment on a variety of foods.
    • Sauerkraut, which is made of pickled cabbage.
      Sauerkraut, which is made of pickled cabbage.
    • Jars of pickled vegetables.
      By: tuja66
      Jars of pickled vegetables.
    • Pickles.
      By: Yury Teploukhov
      Pickles.
    • A cheeseburger topped with sliced pickles.
      By: Gena
      A cheeseburger topped with sliced pickles.
    • Cornichons are small, pickled cucumbers.
      By: ChantalS
      Cornichons are small, pickled cucumbers.
    • Pickling may preserve beets for an extended period of time.
      By: Viktorija
      Pickling may preserve beets for an extended period of time.
    • Dill pickle spears are often served with deli sandwiches.
      By: sumnersgraphicsinc
      Dill pickle spears are often served with deli sandwiches.
    • Sliced pickles are ideal for sandwiches.
      By: Louella Folsom
      Sliced pickles are ideal for sandwiches.
    • The coarse kosher salt that is used to brine kosher pickles contains no iodine or other additives.
      By: natashamam35
      The coarse kosher salt that is used to brine kosher pickles contains no iodine or other additives.