The 6 Best Recipes For Those Who Love Pickles & Jalapeños

You might like pickles on your burgers or jalapeños on your burgers, but that doesn’t really scratch that creative culinary itch, does it? These recipes are delicious, fun ways to use pickles and peppers in your cooking. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a Michelin star chef to pull these off. Let’s look at 6 simple recipes you can try to up the versatility of these favored flavors—3 featuring pickles, and 3 featuring jalapeño peppers. They’re great for game days, holidays… really any day that calls for a simple, tasty dish. Here we go, here are 3 awesome pickle recipes to try:

1. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad 

Pasta salad doesn’t have to be drab. Pickles bring the flavor to make your pasta salad a standout at the cookout. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups pasta (shells or rotini) 
• 1 cup dill pickles, diced 
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, cubed 
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped 
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise 
• 1/4 cup sour cream 
• 2 tablespoons pickle juice 
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped 
• Salt and pepper to taste 

Instructions: 

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, diced pickles, cheese cubes, and red onion. 
3. In a separate small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, and chopped dill. Season with salt and pepper. 
4. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss to coat evenly. 
5. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld. 

2. Fried Pickles with Spicy Ranch Dip 

Frickles are a popular restaurant appetizer, but nothing’s stopping you from making—and enjoying—them at home! 

Ingredients: 

• 1 jar dill pickle slices 
• 1 cup buttermilk 
• 1 cup all-purpose flour 
• 1 teaspoon paprika 
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 
• Oil for frying 

Spicy Ranch Dip: 

• 1/2 cup ranch dressing 
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce 
• 1 teaspoon dill weed 

Instructions: 

1. Drain the pickle slices and pat them dry with paper towels. 
2. Dip the pickle slices in buttermilk and then dredge in a mixture of flour, paprika, and garlic powder. 
3. Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the coated pickles until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels. 
4. For the dip, combine ranch dressing, hot sauce, and dill weed in a bowl. 
5. Serve the fried pickles with the spicy ranch dip. 

3. Pickle and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast 

Chicken starting to get boring? Stuffing your chicken breast is a great way to put a new twist on poultry. Give it a whirl!  

Ingredients: 

• 2 large chicken breasts 
• 4 dill pickle spears 
• 4 slices of Swiss or provolone cheese 
• Salt and pepper 
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). 
2. Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create a pocket. 
3. Stuff each pocket with 2 pickle spears and 2 slices of cheese. 
4. Secure the chicken with toothpicks then season with salt and pepper. 
5. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown. 
6. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. 
7. Remove toothpicks and serve sliced with your choice of sides. 

Now onto 3 kickin’ recipes that feature jalapeños:

1. Jalapeño Dip 

No need to get that store bought stuff, making your dip from scratch can be just as delicious and more cost-effective! 

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups cream cheese, softened 
• 1 cup mayonnaise 
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh jalapeños 
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions 
• 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon 
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 
• 2 tablespoons melted butter 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). 
2. In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, green onions, and bacon until well combined. 
3. Spread the mixture evenly in a baking dish. 
4. In a separate bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. 
5. Spread the breadcrumb mixture over the top of the dip. 
6. Bake for 20 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the dip is bubbly. 
7. Serve hot with tortilla chips or fresh vegetables. 

2. Stuffed Jalapeños 

Usually when we think of stuffed peppers, we think of bell peppers. But who says jalapeños can’t join the stuffed pepper party? 

Ingredients: 

• 12 large fresh jalapeños 
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 
• 12 slices of bacon, cut in half 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). 
2. Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes. 
3. In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth. 
4. Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture. 
5. Wrap each stuffed jalapeño with a half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. 
6. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy. 

3. Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins 

This one is a beloved favorite in the South, and it will definitely be a favorite at your next holiday party! 

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup cornmeal 
• 1 cup all-purpose flour 
• 1/4 cup sugar 
• 1 tablespoon baking powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1 cup milk 
• 2 eggs 
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen) 
• 1/2 cup chopped jalapeños (seeds removed) 
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease or line a muffin tin. 
2. In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. 
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and melted butter. 
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. 
5. Fold in the corn kernels, jalapeños, and cheddar cheese. 
6. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. 
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 

Get to Cooking! 

Try your hand at any of our easy-to-make and easier-to-enjoy pickle and peppers recipes to open new possibilities for these classic ingredients.