ComScore

We Tried Every Dill Pickle at the Grocery Store. These Are the Best

PSA: Pickles are kind of a big dill right now. (Sorry.) We’ve seen pickle soft serve, pickle vodka, pickle-flavored slushies, pickle-shaped pool floats and even special pickle forks. So we set out with a mission: to find the best dill pickles that money can buy. We looked for pickles with a balanced taste, a bit of spice and plenty of crunch. Across the board, we found that whole pickles and spears were crisper than smaller sizes. Here, for all your stacking and snacking needs, these winners surpassed 15 other contestants.

Easy Homemade Pickles


vlasic kosher dill spears
Walmart

Best Value: Vlasic Kosher Dill Spears

This vinegary pick reminded us of the spears we grew up eating. There isn’t a ton of complex flavor, but every single bite made us nostalgic for summer nights and hamburgers. Best of all, the interior is far less rubbery than other neon green, shelf-stable options.

ba tampte kosher dill deli spears
Instacart

Best For Sandwiches: Ba Tampte Kosher Dill Deli Spears

True to its name, this jar tastes like it came straight from an old-fashioned sandwich shop. Its mild flavor is equal parts sour, garlicky, sweet and briny. Although the spears could have been crunchier, we think they’d pair just fine with a giant tuna melt and Diet Coke.

wickles dirty dill spears
Wickles Pickles

Best Gourmet: Wickles Dirty Dill Spears

Pickled in apple cider vinegar instead of traditional distilled vinegar, these bad boys are impossible to resist. They pack some serious tangy heat, thanks to red chile peppers in the mix. Sure, they’re not as versatile as plain dill pickles, but they’re pretty damn good for snacking.

boars head kosher dill whole pickles
Boar's Head

Best For Snacking: Boar’s Head Kosher Dill Whole Pickles

These pickles have a secret. They live in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. And compared with most shelf-stable brands, they’re way crunchier. In addition to the superior texture, these little guys embody the perfect “dill pickle” flavor we crave: salty and vinegary on the one hand, sour and garlicky on the other.

claussen kosher dill spears1
Claussen

Best In Show: Claussen Kosher Dill Spears

And the gold metal goes to…the most impeccable pickle in the universe, Claussen Kosher Dill Spears. By far the crispest and crunchiest we tasted, our winner has a balanced, vinegary flavor and subtle spices. It’s delicious as a simple snack but also stands up to a juicy cheeseburger—or a spicy Bloody Mary. Head to the deli section of your grocery store to stock up.



heathgoldmanheadshot 1

Food Editor

From 2017 to 2019 Heath Goldman held the role of Food Editor covering food, booze and some recipe development, too. Tough job, eh?