Fun fact: Kosher dill pickles, contrary to what the name might suggest, no longer have much to do with the dietary standards within traditional Jewish law. Once a staple food for Jewish people living in Eastern Europe, this particular variety of pickled cucumbers was introduced to Americans by Jewish immigrants in the late 1800s. The “kosher” in the name really just signifies that there’s garlic in the brine, which was the traditional way of making them. • McClure’s • Trader Joe’s • Vlasic • Whole Foods 365 • B&G • Grillo’s • Boar’s Head Couple the gloopy texture and puzzlingly-bad brine with the fact that these pickles were actually the most expensive variety I tried, and folks, we, unfortunately, have a loser. Flavor: 1 McClure’s pickles have a noticeable “old water” taste to the brine and not much else going on in terms of flavor. They’re also undoubtedly expensive, and they had the softest texture of all of the various pickles I tried. The brine also didn’t impress me. I didn’t have the same visceral reaction to it as I had while trying McClure’s, but it still wasn’t correct in terms of flavor. It tasted like olive brine to me — slightly earthy, and definitely no trace of dill or garlic. There was nothing all that fresh-tasting about these pickles, and that was really a bummer. Flavor: 2 The good? That price point. The bad? The texture and flavor. If you like your pickles soft and mushy — and with the flavor profile of a literal olive — Vlasic pickles are for you! If not, let’s move right along. Flavor: 2 Texturally, I don’t really have any complaints here! Especially for a non-refrigerated variety, these pickles were pleasantly crunchy and had a nice snap to them. That said, for the perfume-like, aggressively-floral aftertaste (without much of any dill or garlic flavor), these definitely weren’t my favorite in the flavor category.
Flavor: 4 They’re on the pricier side for a non-refrigerated pickle, their brine tastes like a dirty martini (not ideal for a pickle), and they just didn’t wow me in any way. Flavor: 5 Considering the two organic options on this list, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, Trader Joe’s pickles were definitely the better pick. They offer relatively similar texture but better flavor overall, and they also ring in at over a dollar cheaper.
Flavor: 4 Though the flavors here were certainly nothing special, the crunch factor absolutely blew me away. If you can ignore some of the “meh”-ness of the pickle brine, you’ll be rewarded with a seriously crunchy pickle. Flavor: 6 Less-than-ideal aftertaste aside, Grillo’s pickles are certainly a great purchase when it comes to flavor complexity and incredible texture. You can taste every last bit of the fresh dill and garlic they use in their pickle brine — I just wish the taste that lingers in your mouth afterward was a hair less funky. Flavor: 9 They might not be the crunchiest of all the pickle varieties I tried, but they were certainly one of the most flavorful. The brine’s subtle sweetness beautifully highlights all the various flavors present, and it made for one seriously delightful pickle-eating experience. If I could only pick one brand of pickles to eat for the rest of my life, I’d choose these in a heartbeat. And at less than $5 for a truly packed jar, I also think you’re getting a great value alongside that remarkable flavor and quality. Flavor: 10 Claussen pickles really are perfect. They’re the ideal blend of flavor, texture, quality, and value, and for all those reasons I’d whole-heartedly urge any pickle lover to grab a jar during your next grocery run. #3: Grillo’s (9/10) #4: Boar’s Head (7/10) #5: Whole Foods 365 (7/10) #6: Trader Joe’s (7/10) #7: Mt. Olive (6/10) #8: Vlasic (3/10) #9: McClure’s (2/10) #3: Grillo’s (6/10) #4: Trader Joe’s (5/10) #5: B&G (4/10) #6: Mt. Olive (4/10) #7: Whole Foods 365 (2/10) #8: Vlasic (2/10) #9: McClure’s (1/10)
• Best Microwave Popcorn • Best Ice Cream • Best Jarred Salsa • Best Boxed Mac ‘N’ Cheese • Best Frozen Pizza • Best Marinara Sauce
