As humans, many of us are fond of some…unconventional food combos. As we move through life (especially our college years), people try mixing random things together, only to discover that hey, that tasted pretty good! Sure, milk and Coke or peanut butter as a burger condiment might strike some as strange, but to others, they’re delicacies. We’re not here to judge.
So, with that open-minded spirit, we’re taking a look at another food combo that might raise some eyebrows: beer and pickles. We put pickles in our Bloody Marys, so why not? Here’s why people are experimenting with this unusual mix—and why you might want to try it.
You Need a Special Kind of Beer
And by “special beer” we mean cheap beer. This combo is really only intended to spice up everyday beer and make it more palatable; you probably shouldn’t be trying the pickle method with a small-batch craft beer. You could. But we’re not recommending it.
As you might imagine, this isn’t terribly complicated: pour your cheap beer into a glass, then plunk a pickle into the alcohol the way PBR and Grillo’s Pickles did here. It’ll start foaming right away! You probably don’t want to leave it in longer than two minutes or your beer will go from having “notes of vinegar” to being pickle-flavored. And pretty much no one wants that. (If you do, this pickle-flavored beer is for you.)
Thank the Midwest for This
This isn’t a totally new thing, even if you’re just hearing about it now! Back in 2017, Esquire wrote a story that explained why it works. Basically, the vinegar and salt in the pickle complement the flavor of the beer, which makes drinking a whole new (and better) experience.
Apparently this is a tradition that hails from the Midwest, which makes sense when you think about it—we Midwesterners do love our beer! So if you’re looking for someone to thank (or to blame) for this combo, point a finger at the middle of the U.S. But we bet you love these iconic Midwestern foods, so don’t be too harsh.
Dill Pickle Hamburger Pizza
My husband's favorite foods are pizza and cheeseburgers, so I combined the two in a pizza with mayo and dill pickle juice topping. People who try it start laughing because it's so good. —Angie Zimmerman, Eureka, Illinois
Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bake
This bacon cheeseburger tater tot casserole is the perfect dish to bribe your kids; homework, chores, piano practice—consider them done! —Deanna Zewen, Union Grove, Wisconsin
Dilly Potato & Egg Salad
Everyone has a favorite potato salad, and this is mine. As a young bride, I was eager to learn how to cook and make things that my husband would love. I combined my mom's and his mom's recipes, and this is the delicious result. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Dilly Beef Sandwiches
My younger sister, Jean, shared this recipe with me. It puts a twist on the traditional barbecue sandwich, and it has been proven to be a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it's incredibly convenient to make in the slow cooker. —Donna Blankenheim, Madison, Wisconsin
Judy's Macaroni Salad
After finding this vintage macaroni salad recipe years ago, I tweaked the flavor and bumped up the pickles. Tuck this dill pickle pasta salad inside your picnic basket. —Elizabeth Kirchgatter, Maysville, Kentucky
South Liberty Hall Relish
My grandparents originated this recipe that's been treasured in our family for four generations. It's named after a dance hall they ran in rural Iowa. Whenever I bite into a hot dog or hamburger dressed up with this taste bud-tingling relish, I think of them and their delicious country cooking. —Melinda Winchell, Las Vegas, Nevada
Pastrami Roll-Ups
For a book club event, I created pastrami roll-ups with cream cheese and a pickle. Those tasty bites quickly pulled a disappearing act. —Merritt Heinrich, Oswego, Illinois
Cuban Sliders
These wonderful little rolls are baked until lightly toasted and the cheese melts. The leftover King's Hawaiian ham sliders keep really well in the fridge, and they make a lovely cold snack. Followers of my blog, houseofyumm.com, go nuts for these! —Serene Herrera, Dallas, Texas
Deluxe Cheeseburger Salad
I was planning to grill burgers, and then it dawned on me: How about a Big Mac salad? The original recipe doesn't call for a tomato, but it's awesome here. —Pam Jefferies, Cantrall, Illinois
Hot Ham Sandwiches
I came up with this crowd-pleasing recipe when trying to re-create a favorite sandwich from a local restaurant. Flavored with sweet relish, these ham sandwiches are oh, so easy. My family likes them with coleslaw and fries. —Susan Rehm, Grahamsville, New York
Cuban-Style Pork Chops
These are like Cuban sandwiches without the bread, so they’re a bit more elegant. Let your family customize theirs with pickles, mustard and other condiments. —Erica Allen, Tuckerton, New Jersey
Ham & Potato Salad Sandwiches
These little sandwiches with zingy toppings are super simple to pull together. This classic version originated in a deli in Prague, where they're a really popular winter party food. —Cara McDonald, Winter Park, Colorado
Bacon Cheeseburger Rice
My husband and I thought the original skillet dish lacked pizzazz, so we created this tastier version. I've had teenage nieces and nephews request the recipe after their first bite. —Joyce Whipps, West Des Moines, Iowa
Favorite Bread & Butter Pickles
I made these pickles while growing up and love them because you can eat them with just about anything. Now, both of my children love these pickles, too. I think you'll enjoy them as much as we do! —Linda Weger, Robinson, Illinois
Deviled Egg Spread
I tried this egg salad at a luncheon and had to have it. I punched it up with pickled banana peppers. It’s a hit with my kids and picky mother. —Lisa Easley, Longview, Texas
Faux Potato Salad
Cauliflower in potato salad? You bet, along with carrots, olives and other yummy surprises. —Mike Schulz, Tawas City, Michigan
Chipotle Chili Sloppy Joes
My husband didn't like sloppy joes until he tried my rendition with its smoky heat. If you need to dial down the fiery zip, cut down on or eliminate the peppers. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona
Cheeseburger Soup
A local restaurant serves a similar cheeseburger soup but wouldn't share its recipe with me. So I developed my own, modifying a recipe for potato soup. I was really pleased with the way this all-American treat turned out. —Joanie Shawhan, Madison, Wisconsin
Chili Dog Pizza
My girls love it when I make this mash-up pizza with hot dogs and chili. It’s a marvelous way to use up leftover chili. —Jennifer Stowell, Smithville, Missouri
Fish & Chips with Dipping Sauce
My husband and I really like fish and chips, but not all the grease that typically comes along with it. I decided to give the classic dinner a makeover. Turns out the pickle dip is healthier than tartar sauce, and we like it a lot better—who knew? —Michelle Lucas, Cold Spring, Kentucky
Layered Cornbread Salad
When the garden comes in, we harvest the veggies and layer them with cornbread and sweet relish for this snappy salad. Everyone wants seconds. —Rebecca Clark, Warrior, Alabama
Grilled Brats with Sriracha Mayo
I am a Sriracha fanatic, so that’s what inspired this dish. You can boil the brats in your favorite beer to reduce the fat and give them flavor before grilling, or spread garlic butter on lightly toasted buns. —Quincie Ball, Olympia, Washington
Chicago-Style Hot Dogs
I decided to give a Chicago-style dog a healthy twist for my family. Our kids love it. You can use other fresh toppings to please just about anyone. —Gregg May, Columbus, Ohio
Refrigerator Jalapeno Dill Pickles
I’m passionate about making pickles. My husband is passionate about eating them. He's too impatient to let them cure on the shelf, so I found this quick recipe to make him happy. Add hotter peppers if you like. —Annie Jensen, Roseau, Minnesota
Burgers with Spicy Dill Salsa
When I make burgers or hot dogs for boating or barbecues, I do a topping that tastes like relish meets salsa. Pile it on any griller you like. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
Dilly Cheese Ball
The whole family devours this herby cheese spread—even my son, the chef. Serve it with your favorite crackers. —Jane Vince, London, Ontario
Family-Favorite Cheeseburger Pasta
I created this cheeseburger pasta recipe to satisfy a craving. What a delicious, healthy classic! —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, OklahomaThe post People Are Now Putting Pickles in Beer to Make It Taste Better appeared first on Taste of Home.
Emily Hannemann