We Tried 6 Dill Pickles—Here Are Our Top Picks!

Photo credit: www.seriouseats.com

In a Nutshell

Dill pickles are a staple in many households, often found in refrigerators as they serve multiple purposes—snacks, recipe ingredients, or accompaniments to meals like burgers or sandwiches. There are two primary varieties of dill pickles available: lacto-fermented and vinegar-based. The sour taste of lacto-fermented pickles comes from lactic acid generated during the fermentation process, whereas vinegar pickles derive their tartness from a hot vinegar brine which typically consists of vinegar, water, salt, and sugar.

In his seminal work The Art of Fermentation, Sandor Katz emphasizes the difference in preparation methods, stating that while vinegar itself is a product of fermentation, most vinegar pickles undergo heat treatment to sterilize vegetables, effectively halting any fermentation. This results in pickles that are generally shelf-stable, contrasting with lacto-fermented varieties that require refrigeration unless processed post-fermentation. Consequently, vinegar pickles are commonplace in stores and are frequently paired with fast food meals.

While the team at Serious Eats tends to favor the fuller flavors of lacto-fermented pickles, they recognize the practicality and appeal of vinegar pickles for certain dishes. Especially when it comes to a classic burger or fried chicken sandwich, a vinegar pickle can be the perfect complement. To determine their top pick among vinegar varieties, the team conducted a thorough taste test.

The taste test involved a careful evaluation of six popular vinegar-brined dill pickles readily available online and in supermarkets. Tasters sampled each pickle in a blind setting, rating them on aspects like taste, sourness, and crunchiness. The results led to the selection of a clear favorite that earned its place on their fridge shelves.

The Criteria

Not all dill pickles exhibit the same qualities. Some may lack crunch, while others might have an overwhelming vinegar flavor or fail to present the aromatic notes commonly associated with spices like dill or coriander seeds. Ideally, a well-crafted vinegar pickle should strike a balance between sourness and flavor complexity, invigorating the palate without simply tasting like vinegar. A desirable pickle should also maintain a crisp texture and a natural color, avoiding those overly bright hues that suggest artificial dyes.

Overall Winner

Wegmans Kosher Dill Pickles

The Wegmans Kosher Dill Pickles stood out to all testers. Feedback highlighted their balanced flavor profile, with one taster noting they were “not overly salty or sour” and expressed appreciation for the prominent dill aftertaste. Others echoed the sentiment, with remarks on their closeness to lacto-fermented pickles. Though a couple of tasters mentioned slight mushiness, many still found the pickles to have a satisfying crunch and labeled them as “pleasantly crunchy” and “crisp.”

The Contenders

• B&G Pickles, Kosher Dill
• Mt. Olive Pickles, Kosher Dill Spears
• Nature’s Promise Dill Pickle Spears
• Vlasic Kosher Dill Spears
• Trader Joe’s Kosher Dill Pickle Spears
• Wegmans Kosher Dill Pickle Spears

In Conclusion

Notably, each brand included calcium chloride as a firming agent in their pickles. Wegmans distinguished itself by incorporating gum arabic, which acts as a stabilizer and helps maintain clarity in the brine. Unlike some competitors that use artificial coloring, Wegmans opts for turmeric to achieve a natural yellow tone. Although tasters expressed a preference for the more complex flavors of lacto-fermented pickles, they unanimously agreed that Wegmans’ vinegar-pickled option is a dependable choice.

Our Testing Methodology

The tasting process was structured to eliminate bias, with brand identities concealed throughout the evaluations. Tasters sampled pickles in random order, ensuring that no particular sample had an unfair advantage due to palate fatigue. After each tasting, participants filled out sheets ranking their impressions based on various criteria, and all data was compiled and analyzed without any editorial influence to provide an honest overview of the results.

Source
www.seriouseats.com