What to Eat with Pickles

 

What to Eat with Pickles

At Stu's, we have a love story with pickles. It's how we started. Before Bloody Mary concentrates, before brunch bars, before rim salts and hot pepper serums, there were pickles. Crunchy, briny, a little funky, and endlessly snackable. Pickles aren't just a sidekick. They're a star ingredient that deserves the spotlight.

The same brine principles that make pickles irresistible are what make a great cocktail concentrate. Salt, vinegar, spice, and balance.

So, what do you actually eat with pickles? The short answer: almost anything. But let's do better than that. Whether you're hosting brunch, planning a backyard party, or just staring into your fridge wondering what to pair with that glorious jar of dill spears, we've got you covered.

Here's your definitive guide to eating with pickles, because life's too short to let a great pickle go solo.

Our Pickle Roots

Before Stu's became the Bloody Mary brand you know and love, we were a pickle company. Pickling is where we learned the art of brine, the balance of salt, vinegar, and spice that transforms something simple into something unforgettable.

That foundation is why our Bloody Mary concentrates taste the way they do. They're not just tomato juice and spice. They're built on the craft of brining. It's part of our DNA, and it's why we'll always have a soft spot for pickles.

Why We Choose These Pairings

At Stu's, everything comes back to balance. We started with pickles because brining is about harmony. Salt, vinegar, spice, and crunch working together. Every pairing here was chosen because the pickle doesn't just "go with" the food. It unlocks it.

Rich foods shine brighter when cut with acidity. Bold flavors find balance when matched with equally bold pickles. Creamy or heavy dishes feel lighter with crunch and tang. And sometimes, sweetness is the bridge that ties everything together.

That's the same philosophy behind our Bloody Mary concentrates: bold, balanced, and unforgettable.

1. The Classic: Sandwiches and Burgers

There's a reason diners and burger joints have always served pickles with sandwiches. A juicy cheeseburger with melted cheddar begs for a few sharp dill chips. A pastrami on rye needs a crisp half-sour spear to balance its richness. Even a grilled cheese feels more complete with a few bread and butter pickles on the side.

Burgers: Juicy cheeseburgers love dill pickle chips. The sharp brine balances fatty meat and cheese.

Sandwiches: A Reuben with half-sour spears? Legendary. A grilled cheese with bread-and-butter pickles? Sweet, tangy heaven.

Why it works: Dill pickles bring sharp acidity, which balances fat. Bread-and-butter pickles add sweetness that plays beautifully with salty cheese or cured meats. Each style creates its own balance of sweet-sour-salty that makes comfort food sing.

2. Cheese Boards (a.k.a. Your Brunch Power Move)

A cheese or charcuterie board is all about contrast. Creamy against salty, crunchy against smooth. That's why pickles are the unsung hero of every board. They keep flavors lively and bring a spark that makes grazing feel endless.

Cornichons (tiny French gherkins) with pâté or rich terrines, because their snap cuts through buttery textures.

Garlic dills with sharp aged cheddar, because they match intensity with intensity.

Sweet gherkins with creamy brie, because the sugar-sour combo highlights the cheese's richness.

Why it works: Cheese is indulgent, fatty, and sometimes salty. Pickles bring the cleansing acidity that lets you go back for bite after bite without getting weighed down. They refresh your palate so the next taste of cheese is just as exciting as the first.

For a complete brunch board setup, see our guide to hosting and kits that pair drinks with food.

3. Bloody Marys (Naturally)

We might be biased, but let's be honest: no Bloody Mary is complete without pickles. They're the garnish that delivers both flavor and function, turning a cocktail into an experience.

Our Bloody Mary Concentrates are built on that brine foundation. The pickle juice is already in the bottle. Pair a finished Bloody Mary with a plate of pickles and you've got the kind of brunch spread that makes people ask what your secret is.

Dill spears for classic crunch.

Pickled okra or green beans for a Southern twist.

Spicy pickles if you like heat layered on heat.

Why it works: The brine mirrors the salt-and-vinegar backbone of a Bloody Mary, while the crunch adds texture to the sipping experience. Spicy pickles kick things up another notch and stand tall against the boldness of Stu's concentrate.

4. Fried Foods (a Match Made in Crunch Heaven)

There's a reason fried chicken sandwiches almost always come with pickles. The vinegar and acidity slice right through the grease and turn indulgence into something addictive instead of overwhelming.

Fried chicken + dill pickles = Southern perfection.

Fish and chips + pickled onions = crisp relief from batter and grease.

Mozzarella sticks + spicy pickles = cheesy indulgence cut by vinegary fire.

Why it works: Dill pickles slice through fried foods with sharpness. Spicy pickles double up on bold flavors, preventing the dish from tasting one-note.

5. BBQ and Grilled Meats

When the grill is hot or the smoker's been running all day, the richness of BBQ begs for a pickle. It's tradition in the South for good reason: the balance is unbeatable.

Pulled pork + bread-and-butter pickles = sweet, tangy contrast to smoky meat.

Brisket + dill pickles = a Texas BBQ staple.

Sausages + spicy pickles = rich meat balanced with heat and acid.

Why it works: BBQ tends to be rich and smoky. Sweet pickles mellow spice rubs, while dills cleanse the palate. Spicy pickles bring balance without getting lost in the smoke.

Pickles and BBQ also pair well with savory cocktails. Try a Smoked Jalapeño Bloody Mary alongside brisket. The smoky heat in the concentrate mirrors the smoke on the meat.

6. Salads with Personality

Forget boring iceberg and ranch. Adding pickles gives salads sass. Potato salad, pasta salad, coleslaw. These comfort sides are often creamy and mellow. Adding pickles gives them an edge, a little spark of flavor that makes you want another scoop.

Dill pickles in potato salad for brightness.

Bread-and-butter pickles in coleslaw for sweet-and-sour crunch.

Spicy pickles in pasta salad to wake things up.

Why it works: Creamy, carb-heavy salads crave contrast. The right pickle keeps them from tasting bland or heavy by cutting through richness.

7. Late-Night Snacks (Straight from the Jar)

We've all done it. Stood in front of the fridge at midnight fishing out a spear or two. Pickles aren't just a garnish or side. They're the midnight hero. When cravings hit and you're standing in front of the fridge, there's nothing more satisfying than a cold, crisp spear.

Dill spears for classic snacking.

Spicy pickles if you like a kick.

Sweet gherkins if you're craving dessert but want something lower guilt.

Why it works: Each pickle style scratches a different craving (salty, spicy, or sweet) without weighing you down.

8. Tacos and Mexican-Inspired Dishes

Taco night isn't the first place you'd expect pickles to shine, but they're right at home. The acidity balances the richness of meats, cheese, and tortillas while enhancing heat and spice.

Pickled jalapeños in tacos, adding heat and acid.

Pickled onions on carnitas, bright pop against rich pork.

Dill pickles on quesadillas, unexpected, but they cut through gooey cheese.

Why it works: Mexican food thrives on balance: heat, richness, freshness, tang. Pickles provide the acidity that makes all those flavors harmonize.

9. With Rich, Creamy Dishes

Think of any food that leans heavy. Mac and cheese, pot pie, grilled cheese with tomato soup. Now add pickles. Comfort food can sometimes be too much of a good thing. That's where pickles step in. They refresh and balance, keeping rich meals from feeling one-note.

Dill spears with mac and cheese keep things sharp.

Sweet gherkins with pot pie cut creaminess with sweet contrast.

Spicy pickles with grilled cheese double down on comfort but add fire.

Why it works: Creamy dishes coat your mouth. Pickles reset the palate with bright acidity, making rich food easier (and more fun) to eat.

10. The Unexpected Pairings

Part of the fun of loving pickles is experimenting. Some combos sound strange, but they just work. This is where pickles prove just how versatile they are. From sweet to savory, crunchy to creamy, pickles can surprise you in the best way possible.

Peanut Butter and Dill Pickles: Creamy + crunchy + tangy = weird sandwich gold.

Pickles and Dark Chocolate: Bitter cocoa loves a salty, briny sidekick.

Pickles and Vanilla Ice Cream: Sweet, creamy, and tangy. Shockingly balanced.

Pickles and Popcorn (spicy pickles especially): Snack bowl game changer.

Pickles on Pizza (dill or spicy): Cuts through gooey cheese and greasy crust.

Why it works: Flavor contrast. Sweet against sour, creamy against crunchy, salty against briny. Different pickle types change the balance. Dill for sharpness, sweet for contrast, spicy for adventure.

A Brunch Host's Secret Weapon

Hosting at home? Here's the truth: pickles make you look like you know what you're doing. Put a small dish of mixed pickles on the table, dill, sweet, spicy, and suddenly the spread feels intentional, curated, elevated.

Pair them with eggs, bacon, waffles, or whatever else you're serving. People will reach for them, talk about them, and remember that brunch you hosted with "those amazing pickles."

Add a Bloody Mary bar next to the pickle spread and you've just turned brunch into an event. Rim salts with a pickle spear garnish complete the look.

The Big Picture

Pickles are more than a garnish or a side. They're an experience. They're how you balance a meal, elevate a board, or surprise your guests. They're tradition and creativity in a single bite.

At Stu's, we'll always be team pickle. Whether you're crunching one solo, stacking it on a burger, or dunking it into your Bloody Mary, just remember: every pickle deserves a partner.

Looking for more hosting ideas? Explore our guide to what to serve with Bloody Marys or browse our full hosting and kit guide.