The best dill pickles are crunchy, juicy, and salty. And the best people are pickle people.
There are two types of people: pickle people and non-pickle people. There is no pickle neutrality. I am a pickle person. I have been my whole life. The tangier, zestier, and more dill-forward, the better.
While everyone has slightly different preferences when it comes to pickles, we could all agree that the best pickles meet certain criteria when it comes to flavor, taste, and juiciness. Dill pickles should have a strong presence of dill (obviously), along with some other complementary flavors like garlic, peppercorns, and/or chilies. They should be crunchy and never mushy. Lastly, they need to be super juicy—the kind of juicy where you have to suck in the juice while you bite the pickle so the juice doesn’t get all over your clothes. If a dill pickle can fulfill all those requirements, it’s not just a good pickle, it’s the best pickle. We gathered a table filled with pickle jars to taste some of the top dill pickle brands on the market in order to find the best dill pickles out there. (If you’re looking for the best bread and butter pickles, we can help you out, too.) Here are the best dill pickles we found to be absolutely dill-icious.
- Bubbies Baby Kosher Dill Pickles
I was slapped in the face by salt when I took my first bite of Bubbies Baby Kosher Dill Pickles. At first, I thought, “These are too much.” But after a few more bites, I was hooked. My mouth puckers just thinking about these. They might be a little too potent for most people to eat alone, but they are the best dill pickles to dice and l mix into a tuna, egg, or potato salad. The brininess cuts through and compliments the creaminess of any mayo-based salad.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon
- Gedney Whole Dill Pickles
I had never heard of Gedney, but now I’m glad I did! These pickles are wonderful. I’d love to eat them alongside a sandwich or add them to a charcuterie board. The flavor is dilly, the crunch is superb, and the jar is large. What more could you want in a pickle? I love a tiny whole pickle and these will definitely be in my fridge in the future because they are one of the best dill pickles we tried.
Credit: Liv Averett /
- Great Value Whole Kosher Dill Pickles
I love a small, whole pickle. Like, a pickle the size of a pinkie finger. Something about the size makes the texture totally different than a pickle spear or chip. It has a crunchier crunch and the Great Value Whole Dill Pickles are no exception. Their flavor is specifically pickle. It’s not dill. It’s not garlic or peppercorns or even vinegar. It’s all the ingredients coming together to make a unique store-bought pickle taste that I love. And I don’t know if it’s just me, but holding a pickle this tiny feels very cute.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Walmart
- Signature Select Zesty Dill Pickle Spears
Thank you, Albertsons, for the wonder that is the Signature Select Zesty Dill Pickle Spears. They pack so much crunch and flavor for so little money. These would definitely make a tasty little snack, but I really think these would also be the best dill pickles to pair with a homemade tuna melt. One bite of the fatty, rich sandwich followed by one bite of this zesty, spiced pickle would be a symphony of flavors for the mouth.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Albertsons
- OH SNAP! Dilly Bites
These are what I would categorize as a “snacking pickle.” You don’t make tuna salad with them. You don’t put them on a charcuterie board. You definitely don’t put them on a burger. A snacking pickle exists solely to be fished out of the jar with your bare hands and eaten over the sink as a midday treat. OH SNAP! Dilly Bites are snacking pickles minus the mess! They are small pickle chips that come in a bag and are surrounded by almost no liquid. They’re salty, dilly, and completely drip-free. If you are specifically looking for pickles to eat while you drive, these are the best dill pickles.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon
- Grillo’s Pickles Classic Dill Spears
Grillo’s Pickles are elite pickles. If you are a pickle person, you already knew that. But, for those who didn’t, this is your heads-up. You can tell that they’re next level as soon as you peer through the clear container. Big chunks of garlic and whole sprigs of dill swim around each perfectly placed green (not neon) pickle spear. They give you a sour vinegar kick while maintaining a light cucumbery flavor and classic cucumbery crunch. Plus, the cartoon pickle on the container is cool as hell. They might not be the number one best dill pickles on this list, but they are worth buying—especially if you like half-sour pickles. And don’t look for them on the shelf, they’re some of the best refrigerator dill pickles so you’ll find them chilling.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Walmart
- Claussen Kosher Dill Halves
Claussen’s Kosher Dill Halves are the best dill pickles according to Gwynedd, so she yelled at me for not having them on the original list. I’ll admit when I’m wrong, and I was wrong. I bought the wrong Claussen dill pickles for the initial test. These kosher dill halves are incredible. They are the best crunchy dill pickles straight out of the fridge. They have impeccable flavor, and delicious brine. You’d be thrilled if you got this pickle from a sandwich shop or on your plate at a diner. Luckily, you don’t even have to leave your house to enjoy them on a regular basis. Make sure you look for them in the refrigerator section, though! They are not shelf stable.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Dietz & Watson Kosher Pickle Spears
I’ve become a big fan of Dietz & Watson while working at Sporked (we thought their Swiss cheese was one of the best Swiss cheeses). The quality and consistency of their products are practically unmatched and these dill pickles are a great example. This gigantic tub features the best dill pickles we tried in our dill pickle taste test. They’re crunchy, flavorful, and juicy. They’re briney without being too salty. They’re a classic dill pickle in the best way possible. I brought these home after our taste test and have been snacking on them all week.
Credit: Liv Averett / Vons
Best for Salt Lovers
Best Whole Runner-Up
Best Whole Pickle
Best Zesty
Best Snacking Pickle
Best Overall
Best Halves
Best of the Best
Other Products We Tried:
Vlasic Purely Pickles, Good & Gather, Good & Gather Spears, Claussen Kosher Dill Pickle Spears, Vlasic Kosher Dill Pickles, Mt. Olive Kosher Dill Pickle Spears, Open Nature Dill Pickle Spears, Vanholten’s Big Papa Pickle, 365 Kosher Baby Dills, Suckerpunch Pickle Spears Gourmet Classic Dill, Market Pantry Kosher Dill Spears, O Organics Pickles Kosher Dill, Trader Joes Dill Pickle Spears, Best Maid
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