There’s just something about spicy pickles. It’s that mix of crunch, tang, and heat that makes them irresistible to any spicy food fan. The spears are amazing as spicy treats and sides, while the slices are the perfect topper for sandwiches or burgers to add a cool little kick to the meal. And the marinades these pickles come in? Well, you can use that too as a marinade for other hot dishes or to add a little something extra to a Bloody Mary.
We’ve got five excellent spicy pickle brands below, and if you’re one that loves all things hot, then you can’t go wrong with any of them. It all comes down to flavor and style.
McClure’s Spicy Pickles
Very popular spicy pickle spears with a nice chili pepper mix.
Talk about a star. McClure’s have been featured on the Food Network for their great taste, exceptional crunch, and of course the nice amount of heat they bring. The brine mixes habanero and cayenne peppers, and it’s a powerful duo. Some spicy pickles claim to have heat and don’t deliver. Not McClure’s. These are not easy to find in your general supermarket, but Amazon carries them.
Tabasco Spicy Dill With Garlic Pickle Slices
Not super spicy, but a great Tabasco taste.
If you’re looking for spicy pickles that lean towards the mild side, this jar from Tabasco brand definitely works well. It’s a hint of heat compared to some of the other options out there. But the Tabasco sauce flavor is still definitely present. These are excellent for adding a mild layer of heat to a sandwich or burger.
Harold’s Spicy 4X Habanero Dill Pickle Slices
DEFINITELY hot, no doubt.
So if you want the heat to stick around for a while, then these are the spicy pickles for you. Â On the cool quirky label, they are listed pretty far up the scale of “Purdy Hot and “Darn Hot” and with good reason. The 4x stands for the amount of habaneros that made it into this jar. You’ve definitely got some heat marinating in there. If you love these, but you find them just slightly too hot, there’s also a 2X habanero jar for sale that definitely lowers the heat level. Or if you are addicted and want a variety of flavors, you can also pick up a 3-pack of their Frances jar (mild), the Harold 2x and the Harold 4x.
Van Holten’s Pickle-In-A-Pouch Hot Mama
A fun spicy food fan gift!
Yes, that’s a pickle in a pouch and, as the crazy fun label says, it’s “one ‘SASSY’ pickle” at that. We love these as a cool quirky chilihead gift – great for stocking stuffers or just to have around the house for people that want a little crunch and heat on the go. They are totally addictive, and best of all, they require no refrigeration. The spice? Pretty darn hot.
Spicy Maple Bourbon Bread And Butter Pickles By Brooklyn Brine
Now here’s a cool custom brine mix. Awesome for snacking.
Brooklyn Brine makes some very cool craft brines. With these super tasty pickles chips you have an addicting mix of spice, sweet maple, and a nice hint of bourbon all in one. These are serious snacking pickles. They are cut in nice thick slices, and you’ll be tempted to eat them all in one sitting! They are also surprisingly tasty on burgers. Give it a shot!