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You’re not alone if you’re guilty of pouring pickle juice down the drain once the last pickle is gone. It’s time to rethink that habit! This tangy liquid is far too valuable to waste. Pickle juice can add flavor to your dishes or serve as an eco-friendly cleaner. It even boasts some surprising health benefits, including aiding digestion, promoting healthy weight loss, and replenishing electrolytes. Here are 15 clever ways to use pickle juice.
Add Zest To Dips and Dressings
Give your favorite dips and dressings a flavorful upgrade! Stir a splash of pickle juice into guacamole, hummus, or creamy dips for an extra tang. For a unique salad dressing, mix pickle juice with olive oil, herbs, and mustard or soy sauce to create a delicious vinaigrette.
Rehydrate After a Workout
After a sweaty workout or a hot day, replenish lost electrolytes with a swig of pickle juice. It’s a natural sports drink that helps relieve muscle cramps and keeps you hydrated.
Give Your Immune System a Boost
Loaded with vitamins C and E, antioxidants, and probiotics, pickle juice can help strengthen your immune system. The vinegar in it may even help regulate blood sugar levels after meals.
Pickle More Vegetables
Use it to make a fresh batch of pickled veggies. Just add sliced cucumbers, carrots, peppers, or onions to the jar, refrigerate, and in a few days, you’ll have perfectly pickled veggies ready to enjoy.
Tenderize Meat
The acidity in pickle juice works wonders as a meat marinade. It breaks down proteins, making tougher cuts like flank steak tender and flavorful. It’s great for marinating chicken, fish, or even plant-based proteins like tofu and seitan.
Boil Potatoes
For a unique flavor, boil your potatoes in pickle juice instead of water. It adds a savory twist that pairs beautifully with olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs.
Shake Up Your Cocktails
Elevate your cocktail game by adding a dash of pickle juice to a Bloody Mary or Dirty Martini. Or try the classic Pickleback – a shot of whiskey followed by a pickle juice chaser.
For an even more fun twist, mix up a Pickletini by combining vodka or gin with a splash of brine.
Perk Up Your Potato Salad
Take your potato salad up a notch with pickle juice. It adds a sharp, tangy kick that blends perfectly with mayo and herbs. It’s also a great fix for any bland, creamy salad!
Use It as A Vinegar Substitute
Out of vinegar? No problem! Swap pickle juice for salads, soups, or any recipe for vinegar.
Upgrade Your Soups
Take your soups to the next level by adding a bit of pickle juice. This works particularly well in tomato soup, borscht, or creamy chowders.
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Boost Your Barbecue Sauce
Mix pickle juice into your barbecue sauce for a tangy kick that balances the sweetness of store-bought options. Pickle juice also works wonders in hot sauces, adding complexity without overpowering the heat.
Flavor Your Rice and Grains
For an easy flavor boost, cook your rice or grains in pickle juice and water. The pickle juice adds a subtle tang that makes your side dishes far more interesting.
20 Rice Recipes You’ll Love Making Again and Again
Create Pickle-Flavored Chips
Toss thinly sliced veggies like potatoes, zucchini, or beets in pickle juice before frying or baking to create homemade chips with a delicious pickle-infused flavor.
Use as a Natural Cleaner
Pickle juice’s acidity makes it an excellent eco-friendly cleaner. Use it to clean pans, grill grates, or glassware, and watch the grime dissolve!
Steam Vegetables
Steam your bland veggies in pickle juice. This trick works especially well for green beans, broccoli, or asparagus.
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