Love Pickles as Much as We Do? Here Are 6 Delicious Gut-Friendly Recipes To Use Them In

Let’s be honest: Any time you order a sandwich, you’re 100 percent doing it for the side of pickles. And, furthermore, whenever your lunch companion orders a sandwich, you’re secretly hoping they’ll give you theirs, too. If you’re reserving your own personal jars of bread and butter, dill, and sour pickles for burger night and sandwiches, however, I’m sad to report that your pickles aren’t living up to their full potential. And just to prove it to you, we scoured the web for the best recipes with pickles.

Now, there are plenty of reasons to incorporate pickles into your meals that go far beyond their satisfying, briny flavor. High-quality pickles (varieties with minimal processing that you purchase at the farmer’s market or make at home) are considered fermented foods and have valuable probiotic properties. Fermentation causes the sugars in cucumbers to break down and turn into lactic acid, which is super beneficial to the gut.

 “The micronutrient profile of pickles is relatively similar to that of cucumbers—containing vitamins A, C, and multiple B vitamins as well as calcium, potassium, and fiber, although in relatively low amounts.” —Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN

Although pickles are most known for these probiotic benefits, they also offer vitamins and minerals your body requires for everyday functioning. “The micronutrient profile of pickles is relatively similar to that of cucumbers—containing vitamins A, C, and multiple B vitamins as well as calcium, potassium, and fiber, although in relatively low amounts,” Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, previously told Well+Good. And, in a bizarre twist, pickles may even help curb muscle cramps.

It’s a weird list of benefits—I’ll give you that. But hey, pickles are kind of the wonderful weirdos of the lunch table. If you’re ready to fully embrace your identity as a pickle stan, go ahead and scroll down for six recipes that will help you put the fermented fruits in just about… everything.

6 recipes with pickles for creative meals your tastebuds will love

1. Pickle Grilled Cheese Sandwich

If you’re trying to mix up your usual lunch rotation, consider this your easy way out of yet another boring salad. This sourdough sandwich takes all the charms of a classic grilled cheese and adds dill pickles for some extra saltiness. You could even walk on the wild side and opt for bread and butter pickles instead of their savory counterparts.

To really push it over the edge, this recipe even includes a little spice mix that you’ll smear on the bread along with the butter, so you’re in for a mouth-watering lunch or dinner.

2. Crispy Air Fryer Dill Pickles 

If you’re having company over for dinner and you want to stun their taste buds with something a little bit special, these air-fried pickles are the ticket. You’ll roll them in bread crumbs before tossing them in your trusty air fryer and patiently waiting. Serve them with an easy tzatziki sauce, cheese dip, or buffalo ranch sauce. Warning: They may just outshine whatever else you’re cooking.

3. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

For a cooler pickle dish you can take to a summer barbecue or enjoy out on the porch, this is it. This creamy recipe incorporates pickles and pickle juice, so the fermented fruit is sure to shine through.

4. Dill Pickle Dip

Another great hors d’oeuvres option, this dip pairs well with chips, crudités, or crackers. Technically, this is dill pickle dip, so you’ll get to experience the aromatic qualities of the fresh herb as well.

5. Easy Dill Pickle de Gallo Salsa

You can scoop your pickles with this easy recipe. Simply chop your pickles, jalapeños, bell peppers, yellow onions, and garlic, and you’re ready to grab your chips and start snacking. You can also use this as a taco topping or a fresh topping for taco salad.

6. Creamy Garlic and Dill Pickle Pizza

I know what you’re thinking: Pickles??? On pizza??? Don’t knock it until you tried it. (I mean, just think about the first person who put pineapple on pizza.) Sarah, the absolute genius behind Away From the Box food blog, pairs pickles with garlic, mozzarella, and fresh dill for slices you’ll never forget.

Ready to pickle… other things? Try this pickled chickpea tsukemen recipe that comes together in 30 minutes: