Pickles have been around for over 4,000 years, with a history that can be traced back to the Tigris Valley in India around 2000 BC. Despite their age, pickles remain as popular as ever and have even developed somewhat of a cult following on social media. With 4.7 billion views on TikTok, it’s clear that plenty of people are purchasing #pickles, but what exactly are they doing with the leftover juice? While we can’t speak for everyone, we’ve discovered a few ways to repurpose leftover pickle juice to reduce waste and infuse other dishes with the briny pickle flavor we love. Read on for a few of our favorites.
Marinades
Pickle juice makes an excellent marinade for all kinds of meats, poultry, or even tofu. The acidity in pickle juice helps tenderize the protein, while the salt and any spices will infuse it with a unique, tangy flavor. To use pickle juice as a marinade, toss it with a little garlic and your favorite herbs and spices, then soak your protein in the mixture for at least 30 minutes or overnight before cooking.
Salad Dressing
While using pickle juice to make salad dressings may sound unusual, the flavor profile of pickle juice is actually quite similar to capers, which are commonly sprinkled over salads or blended into dressings for a salty bite. To make your own pickle salad dressing, mix three parts olive oil with one part pickle juice along with some Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey, and a little salt and pepper. The juice will serve as a replacement for vinegar to brighten up all kinds of veggies and pasta.
Cocktails
If you prefer savory to sweet and tend to go for dry drinks over sweet, fruity ones, play around with using leftover pickle juice to make fun pickle-flavored cocktails. One example is the famous Pickleback shot, which involves taking a shot of whiskey followed by a shot of pickle juice as a chaser. You can also try creating your own, such as by mixing pickle juice into a Bloody Mary or Martini.
