Pickles Are As Popular As Ever, So I Taste-Tested All The Fan-Favorite Pickle Brands (And There Was A Very Clear Winner)

We’re living in the Era of the Pickle, folks. The New York Times hailed “pickle” as “summer’s big flavor,” people on TikTok are coming up with new and unusual ways to consume them, and I, personally, couldn’t tell you the last time my refrigerator didn’t contain a jar (or two) of them.

Ross Yoder

When it comes to the humble pickle, most people have their allegiances. I know people who only eat Claussen pickles, and then there are the folks who swear that Vlasic makes the crunchiest pickle money can buy. Me? I’ll admit that I’m a bit “pickle agnostic,” so to speak. I’ve never really felt compelled to go all in on one brand and entirely ignore the others. But with all this pickle obsession out there, I decided to finally figure out the best of the best when it comes to pickle brands, and to be 100% honest: Let’s just say that the results were more unexpected than I thought.

Ross Yoder

There are plenty of options out there when it comes to pickle varieties, and I’m not one to discriminate. Bread and butter? No sandwich is complete without ’em. Sours? Chef’s kiss. But for the purposes of this experiment, I had to go with the classic: kosher dills. They’re the ones that likely come to mind when most people think of pickles, and I just so happen to think they’re the most delicious to eat on their own, as a snack — which made them an easy choice as I narrowed down my options.

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.

Getty Images There’s one other very important consideration I kept in mind while selecting brands: refrigerated pickles vs. shelf-stable ones. People have strong opinions when it comes to comparing the two, but let the record reflect that I do not! I went into this taste test with no preconceived notions about which kind would perform better, so the results genuinely surprised me.

(And before you ask, yes, the non-refrigerated pickles all had over 24 hours in the fridge to get nice and cold before I tasted them.)

These were the shelf-stable, non-refrigerated pickles I tried:

• Mt. Olive

• McClure’s

• Trader Joe’s

• Vlasic

• Whole Foods 365

• B&G

Ross Yoder And the other three brands I tried were all cozily tucked away in the refrigerator section:

• Claussen

• Grillo’s

• Boar’s Head

Ross Yoder To make sure I never knew which pickles I was tasting, I relied on my incredibly helpful, pickle-loving partner to feed me bite-sized pieces of individual pickles one by one. (He even used my aggressively-large kitchen tweezers to do it — what a guy!)

Ross Yoder

He made a note of the order in which he fed me the pickles, based on this PickleCuterie Board I made him…

Ross Yoder

…which corresponded to this arrangement. FYI: He chose them at random, not in this order.

Ross Yoder

Between each pickle-y bite, I jotted down my first impressions and overall thoughts, along with ratings out of 10 possible points for both “crunch” and “flavor” — objectively the two most important data points for scientifically comparing pickles.

Ross Yoder

To help myself remember my general attitude toward each brand, I used my usual (and obviously very accurate) smiley face ranking system. I even took a stab at guessing each brand as I tasted them, but that was mostly for fun since, TBH, I wasn’t correct even once.

Ross Yoder

After tasting my last pickle, my partner revealed the actual order in which I tasted them, which, in turn, gave me my definitive pickle ranking.

One final note: I know pickle preferences can be highly subjective, so while I ultimately ranked each brand by taking an average of the crunch and flavor scores, I also included rankings at the bottom of this list based on those metrics separately. So if you’re all about crunch over flavor (or flavor over crunch), I’ve got you.

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Ross Yoder

9.McClure’s — Soft, mushy, and with a noticeable “old water” taste to the brine itself, these pricey pickles were easily the worst of the bunch.

These pickle spears may be flavored with “garlic & dill,” but TBH, I didn’t even taste a hint of those ingredients. All I tasted was a strange, off-putting brine — and when I tell you it tasted like straight-up “old water,” I’m not being dramatic whatsoever.

Ross Yoder I had a pretty visceral reaction to this pickle, which — if my memory serves me correctly — hasn’t ever happened to me in any of the taste tests I’ve conducted. After identifying the overall flavors and textures, it was pretty much a game of Chew And Swallow As Fast As You Can. Not fun!

Beyond the off-putting flavor, I found the texture of these pickles to be one of the mushiest I tried. There were a ton of seeds at the center of each spear, which gave it a gelatinous, goopy texture. Yes, food preferences can be subjective, but I can’t imagine anybody finding that texture appetizing. I know I sure didn’t.

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.

Ross Yoder 🥒 Overall score for McClure’s: 1.5/10

Crunch: 2

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.

8.Vlasic — They may advertise “one crunchy pickle,” but let me assure you: They’re anything but.

Vlasic pickles were the ones we always kept in our house while growing up. I doubt I’m alone here — they’re one of the highest-selling pickles out there for their affordability and that instantly recognizable branding. I just remembered, though: I actually didn’t like pickles as a kid. Coincidence? I think not.

Ross Yoder With a Crunch Score of 3 and a Flavor Score of 2, each category for Vlasic scored a whopping 1 point higher than McClure’s. That’s because I generally had the same feeling toward them as I did for McClure’s, but they were just marginally better.

For a brand that advertises a “big crunch,” I’d say that “crunch” was minimal at best. Seriously, it was mostly just…wet cucumber. Though noticeably less seedy than McClure’s, I still found this pickle to be pretty darn soft. There might’ve been a bit of a snap as I bit through the skin, but in terms of the flesh, nothing.

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.

Ross Yoder 🥒 Overall score for Vlasic: 2.5/10

Crunch: 3

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.

7.Whole Foods 365 — The crunch might’ve been better than average, but the soapy, floral aftertaste of these pickles was objectively subpar.

Whole Foods’ generic brand of dill pickle spears was one of only two brands I tried that were labeled organic. Sadly, I think this contender was bonafide proof that “organic” doesn’t always mean better — at least when it comes to taste.

Ross Yoder In terms of crunch and overall texture, I don’t have many complaints! Especially when compared to the bottom two contenders, and especially considering the fact that this was a non-refrigerated variety, Whole Foods’ dill spears had the pleasant crunch that you’d expect from a decent pickle. However, the flavor here was once again “off,” and for a very different reason than the others up to this point.

The initial taste was OK. Not a lot of dill or garlicky goodness going on, but bright, punchy, and pleasantly acidic. As soon as the flavors lingered on my tastebuds, however, I was punched with a pretty awful aftertaste. I described it as “floral” and “soapy” — almost perfume-like. It’s definitely not a gross flavor, but it’s certainly one that I’ve never tasted in any pickle that I’ve tried in my lifetime.

Ross Yoder 🥒 Overall score for Whole Foods 365: 4.5/10

Crunch: 7

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.

6.Mt. Olive — As the brand name itself might suggest, these “dill” pickles truly taste like they’ve been hanging out in a bath of olive brine.

While the texture of these pickles was more or less OK, I sadly can’t say the same about the flavor. Like Vlasic’s pickles, I was hit over the head with the taste of olive brine, which gave these pickles a murky, unappetizing taste overall.

Ross Yoder Look, I love a good dirty martini, but not when it comes to my pickles. Dirty martini was honestly the first thing I thought to compare these to, flavor-wise. There’s no actual garlic or dill listed in the ingredients — just “natural flavors” — so I can’t say I was expecting much in terms of flavor. That said, I certainly wasn’t expecting this.

Flavor aside, these were just snappy enough. I would’ve enjoyed a more pronounced crunch as I bit into them, though they certainly weren’t as soft and mushy as some of the other contenders. Their middle-of-the-road ranking definitely proves that these pickles aren’t bad, but for a jar of pickles that are pushing $5 (and certainly one of the pricier brands of the non-refrigerated varieties), I wouldn’t recommend these to most pickle lovers.

Ross Yoder 🥒 Overall score for Mt. Olive: 5/10

Crunch: 6

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.

5.Trader Joe’s — While the pickle brine itself “isn’t the most appetizing,” the other elements were pretty OK, and definitely an improvement upon the other contenders thus far.

As the only other organic option on this list besides Whole Foods 365, I found this one to be the superior choice for multiple reasons. IMO, this was the first of the bunch to actually taste a little bit like dill (though just a little bit), and though I wasn’t a major fan of the brine itself, it was definitely passable.

Ross Yoder Texturally, I found these pickles to be on par with the 365 ones. The seeds in each pickle spear were tiny and ultimately didn’t lend any sort of unpleasant gelatinous texture, and both the flesh and skin were firm and crunchy.

Flavor-wise, I noted that these had a “dirty water” taste to them in terms of the brine. No, I don’t literally mean they tasted like dirt — the flavors were just a bit murky and not all that distinct. I will note that these are the first pickles I tested where I could taste a hint of actual dill and garlic, but both flavors were unfortunately overpowered by the slightly funky brine.

Ross Yoder 🥒 Overall score for Trader Joe’s: 6/10

Crunch: 7

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.

4.B&G — Though “nothing about these tasted fresh,” B&G’s pickles were, without a doubt, the crunchiest pickles I tried.

How they got these pickles so crunchy, I’m genuinely unsure. All I know is that I audibly gasped when I bit into this one because it was one of the crunchiest pickles I’ve chomped down on in my life. To be clear: The flavor of these bad boys didn’t even come close to the remarkable crunch factor, but considering these were the best of the bunch, texturally, they still scored pretty darn high.

Ross Yoder Let’s start with their least impressive quality and move our way up. So, flavor. Though they’re not bad or unappetizing in any way, they certainly didn’t taste all that fresh to me. I noted that you could “taste the jar,” and while that might’ve been a hyperbolic-ish statement, there’s definitely a lot of truth there. The flavors were just a bit stale-tasting and not all that pronounced. It hit me with a big ol’ punch of vinegar and not much else.

Then there’s the texture. The crunch as I bit into this pickle was noticeably loud, and it was firm and crunchy all the way through. The skin was tender but crisp, and the flesh was super snappy. For non-refrigerated pickles, which are apparently less crunchy than their refrigerated counterparts, I was genuinely shocked and incredibly impressed. The only thing I genuinely didn’t like about these pickles was the neon Yellow 5-ified hue that I noticed after the fact, but hey, blind taste test, right?

Ross Yoder 🥒 Overall score for B&G: 7/10

Crunch: 10

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.

3.Grillo’s — Though an unexpectedly off-putting aftertaste dragged their flavor score down a bit, Grillo’s pickles are an otherwise delicious, complex-tasting refrigerator pickle.

I’ve been a fan of Grillo’s pickles for a while now. Back in the days when I had a Costco membership (The Good Times™), they were always on my list of club-size goodies to grab when I was there. While they weren’t the outright winners here — tasting them in tandem with the others definitely revealed a not-so-great quality about them — they’re still a great option when you consider their complex flavor and inherent quality for the price.

Ross Yoder Grillo’s makes a seriously fresh pickle, and you can tell both from tasting and looking at ’em. See for yourself! Their dill spears are loaded with fresh dill (what a concept!) and lots of fresh garlic. They’re remarkably crunchy and taste undeniably fresh — but sadly, there’s another taste that I just couldn’t get past.

These pickles definitely had a subpar aftertaste. It didn’t ruin the entire experience by any means, but it did mean I had to dock a few points from what would otherwise be a pretty near-perfect flavor score. For a flavor profile that starts off deliciously bright and acidic, it ends up turning a bit…well, funky. Almost a fermented kind of taste, which I usually love, but since these pickles aren’t fermented, I found it out of place. While that certainly wouldn’t deter me from buying a batch of Grillo’s pickles again, it definitely wasn’t ideal.

Ross Yoder 🥒 Overall score for Grillo’s: 7.5/10

Crunch: 9

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.

2.Boar’s Head — With a subtle-yet-welcome hit of sweetness, an unexpectedly harmonious flavor profile, and a delightful crunch, these pickles certainly surpassed every expectation.

Ya know, considering they’re the deli meat people, I guess I can’t be surprised that Boar’s Head’s pickles also happen to be ridiculously delicious. I looked through a lot of online pickle forums in preparation for this taste test — they exist, and they’re amazing — and just about everyone had nothing but great things to say about Boar’s Head pickles. After my blind taste test, I’m firmly adding my name to the list of folks that are obsessed with these, and for a couple of distinct reasons.

Ross Yoder Most notably, the flavor they pack into these pickles is pretty remarkable. The brine tasted distinctly different from all of the others, and I mean that in a good way. There was a subtle sweetness to it, not in a bread and butter pickle way, but just enough to really bring out the flavors of the cucumbers and the fresh dill, garlic, and carrots (!) in the brine. (After the taste test was done, I of course sampled the pickled carrots, and I can confirm they’re wildly delicious, too.)

They certainly weren’t the crunchiest pickles I tried, but they’re crunchy enough. I did find the skins on the pickles to be a bit on the tough side, but at this point, I’m probably just looking for criticism wherever I can find it. The flesh was snappy and flavorful, which more than made up for the fact that they weren’t the crunchiest of the bunch.

Ross Yoder 🥒 Overall score for Boar’s Head: 8/10

Crunch: 7

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.

1.Claussen — Mark my words: These pickles are pretty much the most perfect variety you can find at your local grocery store, and the price point is pretty incredible, too.

To arrive at this point, I had to sample some not-so-great pickles. So let me just say: When I tasted this pickle, it brought a literal tear to my eye. They’re everything you want a good dill pickle to be — incredibly crunchy, packed with fresh, herbaceous flavor, and their brine is just bright and punchy enough without making you pucker. IMO, it is the perfect pickle.

Ross Yoder “Wow, wow, wow” was the first set of words I jotted down in my notes, so I hope that’s a good enough indicator of just how special these pickles are. To start, let’s dive into the texture. They’re super crunchy, yes, but I also found that the cucumbers they used in these pickles were just really good. They’re firm and fleshy with a thin, snappy skin, so any bite you take of a pickle spear will be a good bite — whether it’s a bite from the ends or right in the middle.

I also gave these pickles a flavor score of 10 because they really deserved it. More than any of the other pickles I tried, these tasted the “cleanest.” Not in an “eat clean” way (gross), but because I could pick out and identify each and every flavoring agent they use in their brine. The dill itself comes through beautifully and makes these pickles extra refreshing, and the juiciness that each one packs is pretty much next-level.

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.

Ross Yoder 🥒 Overall score for Claussen: 9.5/10

Crunch: 9

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.

Claussen may have won the battle for Best Pickle when it comes to its overall score, but I also wanted to break down these pickles based on flavor and texture separately — since we all have different preferences. Best Texture: B&G (10/10)

#2: Claussen (9/10)

#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)

Ross Yoder Best Flavor: Claussen (10/10)

#2: Boar’s Head (9/10)

#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)

Ross Yoder And there we have it, folks! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have nine entire jars of pickles to work my way through. If anyone has a good recipe for using up a whole lot of pickles, DM me — and if you have a favorite variety of pickle that I didn’t get to try, tell me about it in the comments below. 👇

Ross Yoder

If you’re curious about how other popular grocery store products stack up to one another, you can check out the rest of my blind taste tests below:

• Best Frozen Chicken Nuggets

• Best Microwave Popcorn

• Best Ice Cream

• Best Jarred Salsa

• Best Boxed Mac ‘N’ Cheese

• Best Frozen Pizza

• Best Marinara Sauce