Pickles 101

Pickles have been stealing the spotlight lately, popping up in all kinds of unexpected places. From pickle-flavored potato chips and seasoning blends to pickle pizza, pickle salsa, and even fried pickle cheese sticks, it seems everyone is finding new ways to showcase that tangy, briny bite. Some food creators are even experimenting with twists like Kool-Aid–soaked pickles or turning leftover pickles into dehydrated “pickle powder” for sprinkling over snacks.

Of course, pickles aren’t just a passing trend. They’ve long been a staple in home kitchens, delis, and restaurants because of their versatility. A good pickle can balance a rich burger, brighten a deli sandwich, cut through the smoke of BBQ, or add crisp contrast on a charcuterie board. Whether you prefer a classic dill spear, a tangy half-sour, or a sweet bread-and-butter chip, pickles are one of those timeless add-ons that make everyday meals a little more exciting.

In this guide, we’ll explore the most popular types of pickles, how they’re made, and the best ways to enjoy them—along with a few recipe ideas featuring Martin’s rolls and breads.

Infographic: Pickles at a Glance

All About Pickles

Pickles are defined by a combination of the following characteristics: flavor, shape/format, and pickling method. Mix and match these and you get a wide variety of options to choose from, such as half-sour dill spears or bread-and-butter chips.

The following guide offers a clear overview of pickle styles and how they’re defined.

Flavor Styles

These are the core flavor profiles that define most pickles you’ll find at the store or on your plate:

• Dill Pickles – Seasoned with dill seed or fronds, usually alongside garlic and other spices. Bright, herbal, and savory.
• Sweet Pickles – Sugar is added to the brine for a sweet-tart flavor with gentle acidity.
• Bread & Butter Pickles – A sweet-tart style seasoned with mustard seed, celery seed, coriander, turmeric, and onion; often sold as crinkle-cut chips. Sweet, tangy, and aromatic.
• Hot Pickles – Any base style (such as dill or bread & butter) with added heat from hot peppers or chili flakes. Pair them with Nashville hot chicken or Texas-style BBQ!

Formats & Sizes

Pickles can take on many shapes, each suited to different uses.

• Whole Cucumbers – Classic barrel-style or jarred pickles; great for snacking.
• Spears – Long wedges; perfect side dish for burgers, BBQ platters, and deli sandwiches.
• Chips/Coins – Smooth or crinkle-cut rounds; ideal for burgers/sliders, fried chicken sandwiches, and deep-fried as snacks.
• Sandwich Slices – Long, thin, flat slices; perfect for sandwiches.
• Relish – Finely chopped or pureed; common as a condiment for hot dogs, mixed into tuna/chicken/egg salads, or incorporated into spreads like tartar sauce. Available in a variety of flavor profiles.
• Gherkins – Small cucumbers (often Kirby or Persian), usually vinegar-pickled. Crunchy and mild; can be sweet or savory. Commonly served as garnishes.
• Cornichons – Petite French-style gherkins pickled in a sharp vinegar brine; sometimes flavored with herbs like dill, tarragon, or mustard. Piquant and popular with charcuterie and cheeses.

How Pickling Works (Methods Overview)

Pickling is both about flavoring and preserving. These are the main approaches:

• Refrigerator (Quick) Pickles: Cucumbers covered in a hot vinegar-and-water brine with salt and spices, then refrigerated. Ready in 24–48 hours. Crisp, bright, but not shelf-stable.
• Fermented Pickles: Cucumbers submerged in a salt-water brine, where natural lactic-acid bacteria sour them over time. May include aromatics for added flavor.
  • Half-Sour Pickles – Pulled after a short fermentation; still crisp with a lighter tang.
  • Full-Sour Pickles – Left to ferment longer (weeks to months); deeply sour, complex, and tangy flavor with softer texture.
• Fresh-Pack / Canned Pickles: Cucumbers packed in a vinegar brine and heat-processed for shelf stability. Shelf-stable until opened, then refrigerated. Consistent flavor; texture varies with cut and processing time.

Safety Reminder: Use clean jars and tested ratios for salt and vinegar; follow authoritative guidance for canning. Quick pickles should be kept refrigerated.

Glossary

• Brine – The liquid solution that transforms cucumbers into pickles. It may be vinegar-based (for quick or canned pickles) or simply salt and water (for fermented styles).
• Fresh-Pack / Canned Pickles – Cucumbers preserved in a vinegar brine, sealed, and heat-processed for long-term shelf stability.
• Giardiniera – An Italian mix of pickled vegetables such as cauliflower, carrots, celery, and peppers. Often made spicy and commonly used on sandwiches like Italian beef.
• Half-Sour / Full-Sour – Fermented pickles distinguished by time in brine: half-sours are younger and crisper; full-sours are longer-fermented and more tangy.
• Kosher-Style – In common usage, “kosher dill” refers to the New York deli–style flavor—lots of garlic and dill—rather than strictly to religious certification (though some brands are also kosher-certified). Traditionally, they are made in a salt brine, often using kosher salt, a coarse-grained salt that dissolves cleanly and doesn’t cloud the brine.
• Lacto-Fermentation – The natural souring process by lactic acid bacteria in a salt-water brine, giving fermented pickles their tang—no vinegar required.
• Quick Pickles (Refrigerator Pickles) – Cucumbers soaked in a vinegar brine, then chilled. Ready in a day or two, but not shelf-stable.
• Relish – A finely chopped form of pickled cucumbers, either sweet or dill, used as a condiment for hot dogs, salads, and sauces.

Featured Recipes

Pickle-Bread Sandwich

One of the latest TikTok food crazes to take off is the “pickle bread sandwich,” where shredded cheese is melted in a skillet and wrapped around a pickle to create a crispy, tangy “bread” alternative. It’s quirky, crunchy, and full of bold flavor—and it quickly became a viral favorite among pickle lovers.

We took inspiration from that trend and gave it a Martin’s makeover. Instead of replacing the bread entirely, our recipe layers a savory pickle-and-cheese crisp element inside a classic deli sandwich, served on soft, golden Martin’s Potato Bread. The result is the best of both worlds: the satisfying crunch and tang of the viral recipe, plus the familiar comfort of your favorite sandwich bread.

Pickle Type: Dill · Sandwich Slices

Try it here: Pickle-Bread Sandwich ^↗

Ploughman’s Sandwich

A Ploughman’s sandwich is a British pub classic that combines hearty bread, sharp cheese, and tangy condiments into a rustic, satisfying meal. Our version pairs pastrami with Dubliner or sharp cheddar, crisp veggies, and a generous spread of whole-grain mustard, all stacked between slices of soft Martin’s Potato Bread.

To round it out, we add sliced cornichons or sweet gherkins, which bring just the right bite of acidity to balance the richness of the cheese and meat.

Pickle Type: Cornichons or Sweet Gherkins · Sliced Lengthwise

Try it here: Ploughman’s Sandwich ^↗

Baked Fish Hoagies

This lighter take on a fried fish sandwich is baked until golden and crisp, then served on soft, fluffy Martin’s Hoagie Rolls. Each hoagie is layered with lettuce, optional American cheese, crunchy pickle slices, and a creamy homemade tartar sauce.

The tartar sauce is what makes this sandwich shine—made with sweet pickle relish, minced onion, and lemon juice for a tangy, refreshing kick that perfectly complements the flaky white fish. Together, the sauce and pickle slices bring just the right balance of brightness and crunch to every bite.

Pickle Type: Sweet Pickle Relish · Chips/Slices

Try it here: Baked Fish Hoagies ^↗

Classic Fried Chicken Sandwich

Crispy fried chicken, tangy sauce, and soft, buttery Martin’s Sandwich Potato Rolls come together in this ultimate comfort-food sandwich. The chicken thighs are marinated in buttermilk and spices, then fried until golden brown and juicy inside.

What makes this recipe stand out is the Honey Sriracha Mayo, which uses bread-and-butter pickle juice to balance sweetness, heat, and acidity. Topped with shredded lettuce and classic pickle slices, this sandwich has the perfect combination of crunch, tang, and spice.

Pickle Type: Bread & Butter · Juice + Chips/Slices

Try it here: Classic Fried Chicken Sandwich ^↗

Pretzel-Crusted Pork Tenderloin Sliders

These crispy sliders combine pretzel-breaded pork tenderloin with tangy sauce, crunchy lettuce, and soft, golden Martin’s Slider Potato Rolls. The sauce—made with mayonnaise, chopped pickles, horseradish, and hot sauce—adds a creamy, zesty punch. To finish, each slider is topped with two classic bread-and-butter pickle slices for that sweet-tart crunch.

Pickle Type: Bread & Butter · Chopped + Chips

Try it here: Pretzel-Crusted Pork Tenderloin Sliders ^↗

Classic Burger Sliders

A nod to diner-style burgers, these sliders are steamed over a bed of onions, then layered onto soft, pillowy Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls. American cheese melts over the patties while the rolls soak up savory onion flavor.

The finishing touch? Tangy dill pickle chips, which add brightness and crunch to balance the rich beef and caramelized onions. It’s that simple layer of acidity that transforms a good burger into a crave-worthy slider—classic, nostalgic, and always satisfying.

Pickle Type: Dill · Chips

Try it here: Classic Burger Sliders ^↗

Air Fryer Hot Dog with Fried Pickles

This recipe takes a ballpark favorite up a notch. Hot dogs are cooked until sizzling, then tucked into buttery Martin’s Long Potato Rolls and topped with crispy, air-fried pickle chips breaded in Martin’s Old-Fashioned Real Butter Bread Crumbs.

The fried pickles bring tang and crunch to every bite, turning a classic hot dog into a playful, crowd-pleasing upgrade. They’re crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and a perfect match for the smoky hot dog and soft roll—ideal for game day or summer cookouts.

Pickle Type: Dill · Chips (Breaded & Fried)

Try it here: Air Fryer Hot Dog with Fried Pickles ^↗

Cubano Sandwich

A Cuban classic layered with roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and dill pickles, all pressed to melty perfection on toasted Martin’s Hoagie Rolls. The salty pork, sharp cheese, and tangy pickles are balanced by the roll’s soft sweetness, making this one of the most iconic pickle-forward sandwiches out there.

Here, dill pickle chips aren’t just an add-on—they’re essential for the Cubano’s signature flavor. Their tang cuts through the richness of the meats and cheese, while their crunch adds texture to the pressed, melty layers. Without the pickles, it simply wouldn’t be a Cubano.

Pickle Type: Dill · Chips

Try it here: Cubano Sandwich ^↗

Chicago Dog

This Windy City staple loads an all-beef hot dog into a Martin’s Long Roll, brushed with butter and sprinkled with poppy seeds. Each dog is topped with mustard, neon-green sweet relish, onion, tomato, sport peppers, and a dill pickle spear—then finished with a dash of celery salt. It’s bold, colorful, and unapologetically full of flavor.

Here, both sweet relish and dill spears play starring roles, bringing tang and crunch to balance the richness of the hot dog and toppings.

Pickle Type: Sweet Relish + Dill · Spear

Try it here: Chicago Dog ^↗

Barbacoa Beef Sliders

Slow-cooked beef chuck roast is simmered with chipotles, garlic, cumin, and oregano until tender and juicy. After being shredded, the barbacoa is then piled high onto Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls with caramelized onions and creamy mayo-ketchup.

In this recipe, pickles cut through the richness, adding brightness and crunch to this smoky BBQ-inspired slider. Their acidity balances the bold, spicy flavors of the barbacoa and keeps each bite from feeling too heavy. It’s a small garnish that makes a big difference, especially when feeding a crowd at parties or tailgates.

Pickle Type: Dill or Bread & Butter · Chips (Serving Garnish)

Try it here: Barbacoa Beef Sliders ^↗

From bright and tangy dills to sweet and spicy varieties, pickles come in endless combinations of flavors, formats, and methods. Whether they’re stacked on a burger, tucked into a Cubano, or chopped into a sauce, they have a way of enhancing almost any dish with crunch, acidity, and balance.

At their core, pickles are about contrast—sharp against rich, crisp against soft, bright against savory. It’s that contrast that keeps them timeless, versatile, and always a little bit fun.

Save the below infographic as a quick reference guide!

Related Blogs

• Pickling Made Easy (methods + DIY quick pickling)
• Pickle Recipes (trend roundup + recipes)
• Recipes for Digestive Health (fermented foods, vinegar-based slaws, etc.)