# The brine that's leftover in a jar of store-bought pickles-- do you do anything with it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [June 4, 2024, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459 "2024-06-04T00:04:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/21 "2024-06-04T02:39:20Z")
Well, I mean, what is pickle juice? Mostly, just vinegar and sugar. Sugar never hurt any cookie, and the vinegar was exactly what I needed. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/22 "2024-06-04T02:50:06Z")
Yup, good pickle brine is delish. Dirty-Dill Martini is another option. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/23 "2024-06-04T02:53:35Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > Straight up drink it, proudly. I have done this on hot days. But then I saw pickle juice listed on Amazon as a product all on it’s own. Why? Water, Vinegar, Sea Salt, Natural Flavors, and Turmeric (for Color). > **[Amazon.com : Mt. Olive Pickle Juice 100% Kosher Dill Pickle Brine, 64 Ounce...](https://www.amazon.com/Mt-Olive-Pickles-Pickle-Juicers/dp/B08G5CMTCZ)** > > Amazon.com : Mt. Olive Pickle Juice 100% Kosher Dill Pickle Brine, 64 Ounce Bottle : Grocery & Gourmet Food ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/24 "2024-06-04T02:57:26Z")
I put it down the drain. Sorry, somebody has to be the killjoy 🫤. The problem is I’m not crazy about sweet pickles and the only dill-brined things I like are… dill pickles. Otherwise dill is very much not great in my books. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/25 "2024-06-04T03:04:50Z")
1. Add sliced cukes. 2. Sip as an anti-nausea intervention. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/26 "2024-06-04T03:05:47Z")
We used to sell pickle juice frozen (a small Dixie cup full) in the concession stand. Kids mostly, bought it. Occasionally a coach or cheer manager would ask for it for a crampy athlete. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/27 "2024-06-04T03:11:32Z")
yea its supposed to alleviate muscle cramps… my aunt drinks it in a shot glass > **[Amazon.com : Van Holten's Pickles - Real Pickle Brine Pickleback Mixer - 1 Liter...](https://www.amazon.com/Van-Holtens-Pickle-Brine-Mixer/dp/B08BGW9B78)** > > Amazon.com : Van Holten's Pickles - Real Pickle Brine Pickleback Mixer - 1 Liter - 6 Pack : Everything Else ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/28 "2024-06-04T03:15:58Z")
That’s what I call thinking outside the ~~box~~ jar. 💡 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/29 "2024-06-04T03:31:21Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > yea its supposed to alleviate muscle cramps… my aunt drinks it in a shot glass Sodium, magnesium and potassium. Not a lot of the last two, but some . I just take a magnesium pill every nite at bedtime. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/30 "2024-06-04T04:37:05Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > Use it to marinate tofu overnight, and then batter and fry the tofu like you would chicken. Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter. ---
**Author:** ![DaveUnknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@DaveUnknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveUnknown)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/31 "2024-06-04T06:09:33Z")
As above, my mother uses it for leg cramps and it really works for her. I love savory, so I like to sip it, esp. the “Grillos” brand fresh pickles. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/32 "2024-06-04T12:00:02Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Yep, put other stuff in there. Got some red onion slivers working right now. I’ve used the leftover juice to pickle red onion slices and it works out really well. I’ve also tried using pickle juice as a marinade ingredient for chicken. The end result was good, but the pickle juice flavor was very forward-- it was basically pickle-flavored grilled chicken. Not the worst thing in the world, but a little too one-note for my liking. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/33 "2024-06-04T12:09:11Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > I put it down the drain. Sorry, somebody has to be the killjoy 🫤. The problem is I’m not crazy about sweet pickles and the only dill-brined things I like are… dill pickles. Otherwise dill is very much not great in my books. Me too. It’s much easier to buy pickles than it is to buy nice cukes. And i don’t really love random stuff pickled. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/34 "2024-06-04T12:12:39Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > But then I saw pickle juice listed on Amazon as a product all on it’s own. Why? Bars buy gallons for pouring pickle backs. A few years ago when pickle backs were peaking in popularity, anyway. When I eat a few whole dill pickles I begin replacing the pickles with hard boiled eggs. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/35 "2024-06-04T12:58:30Z")
I add it to tuna salad for an extra kick. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/36 "2024-06-04T13:28:33Z")
That’s a great idea! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/37 "2024-06-04T17:09:51Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > The problem is I’m not crazy about sweet pickles and the only dill-brined things I like are… dill pickles. I like putting cucumber slices in the brine because I can have half-sours that way. They don’t seem to carry them in stores around here. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/38 "2024-06-04T17:44:37Z")
I pour mine over greens ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/39 "2024-06-04T17:45:39Z")
or I use it as n\marinate to keep my chopped mushrooms fresh ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459/40 "2024-06-04T20:16:08Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > I add it to tuna salad for an extra kick. I add chopped dill pickles, or if I can find it- dill pickle relish. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brine-thats-leftover-in-a-jar-of-store-bought-pickles-do-you-do-anything-with-it/1002459.md?page=3)