Additional Coverage:
- My family tried 5 brands of jarred pickles from the grocery store. One beat the others by a landslide. (businessinsider.com)
Pickle Palooza: Family Puts Supermarket Dills to the Test
Our Town, USA – For many families, the humble pickle is a kitchen staple, a tangy companion to sandwiches and burgers. But how much thought do we really give to the brand we grab off the shelf? One local family, led by an inquisitive dad, decided to dive deep into the brine, sampling five popular supermarket dill pickle brands to find their ultimate favorite.
Their mission? To be more intentional about their pickle purchases.
The results? A definitive ranking from “ick” to “oh-my-dill-ness!”
The Contenders and Their Fates
Last Place: Vlasic Kosher Dill Baby Pickles
Clocking in at about $6 for a 16-ounce container, Vlasic was the priciest per ounce and, unfortunately, the biggest disappointment. While offering a decent crunch and an initial mild, briny flavor, the Vlasic pickles were plagued by an “off-putting aftertaste” that sent them straight to the bottom of the list for the entire family. A second jar was purchased to rule out an anomaly, but the verdict remained the same.
Fourth Place: Whole Foods 365 Organic Kosher Baby Dill Pickles
A 16-ounce jar of these organic dills from Whole Foods set the family back $5. While edible, they didn’t quite hit the mark.
Lacking in crunch and deemed “heavy on garlic” without the desired “crisp, vinegary bite,” they landed in fourth place. Interestingly, the youngest family member, a 7-year-old, favored these, perhaps due to his aversion to spicier flavors.
Third Place: Trader Joe’s Kosher Dill Pickles
The most budget-friendly option at $3 for a generous 24-ounce jar, Trader Joe’s pickles offered a “satisfying snap.” However, their mild vinegar flavor and unfamiliar “caraway-like” seasoning left the family wanting more of that classic pickle zest. Described as more suitable for a cheese board than a cheeseburger, they were deemed acceptable but not worth a special trip.
Second Place: Mt. Olive Dill-Pickle Spears
A 24-ounce jar of Mt. Olive dill spears, snagged on sale for $4, brought a wave of nostalgia.
The familiar aroma instantly transported the dad back to his college deli days. Despite being a “touch mushy” and lacking in crunch, their “assertive, classic pickle flavor” and tangy, almost spicy kick won them over.
A solid choice for those seeking a budget-friendly option or a trip down memory lane.
The Champion: Claussen Kosher Dill Pickles
Emerging as the undisputed victor, Claussen’s kosher dill pickles, found in the refrigerated section for $7 a 32-ounce jar, proved their worth. While requiring refrigeration, the family unanimously agreed the inconvenience was a small price to pay for their superior quality. Described as “vibrant with dill,” “crunchy without being heavy,” and boasting a “bright vinegary tang,” Claussen pickles were hailed as “so much better than the other pickles” that the extra cost was easily justified.
The family, including the 4-year-old, declared Claussen their new go-to pickle brand, promising to seek them out on all future supermarket runs. So, next time you’re pondering your pickle purchase, perhaps consider this family’s comprehensive taste test – it might just lead you to your own pickle perfection!