Pickle juice brine?

[Wreckster]

Ok, hear me out.. Random thought today after seeing Popeye's is going pickle with their entire menu, what if I dunked some chops into some pickle juice as a brine prior to smoking/grilling?

 

[SmokinEdge]

It’s delicious. Give it a try. Chick Fillet chicken has always been brined in pickle juice. It’s great with pork also.

FYI, Italian dressing is a great marinade also.

 

[Astralogics]

Yessir, pork and pickle juice is lovely.

FYI, Italian dressing is a great marinade also.

Gonna have to give this one a go!

 

[SmokinEdge]

Yessir, pork and pickle juice is lovely.

Gonna have to give this one a go!

I use the “zesty” by either Wishbone or Kraft. It’s darn good.

 

[Rick in AZ]

It's also used as a binder for any meat before smoking, and sometimes along with mustard. Especially popular with brisket and pulled pork.

 

[thirdeye]

I've brined wings in pickle juice which are really good, maybe add some crushed garlic and/or ginger.

Pickle juice is really good as a spray for barbecue beef, like plate ribs or brisket.

 

[bigfurmn]

Wife has used Italian dressing for years as a marinade. Chops, chicken and even some beef depending on what we are making. Greek dressing is fantastic too. Pickles I'll have to try out.

 

[912smoker]

Never used it on pork but I agree with the others. It is GREAT on chicken and also use the Zesty Italian marinate on pork!
I use whichever brand is on sale and add some rub in the bag.

Keith

 

[Wreckster]

Haha, ok. Apparently not a new thought. I’ll try it on some chicken first whenever the smoker arrives. Almost like Christmas waiting for it.

I have used zesty Italian before, typically for chicken breast or such.

 

[DRKsmoking]

Your going to love it, I use it in and on chicken often.

Something TNJAKE showed me when I first came here. and I still use it , Thanks Jake

David

 

[chef k-dude]

For sure. I dont know that I would buy a jar of pickles just for the brine, but dont just dump it down the drain when the pickles are gone! You CAN buy it by the half gallon. They also sell 2oz "shots" because its well known as a great electrolyte and fights cramps. Athletes have been drinking the stuff for a long time. I keep forgetting about that when I get cramps!

Which reminds me, I'm to the bottom of a big jar of pepperoncini, need to keep this in mind. Maybe boneless thighs, brined in pepper juice, then grilled with BBQ sauce...

 

[Wreckster]

For sure. I dont know that I would buy a jar of pickles just for the brine, but dont just dump it down the drain when the pickles are gone! You CAN buy it by the half gallon. They also sell 2oz "shots" because its well known as a great electrolyte and fights cramps. Athletes have been drinking the stuff for a long time. I keep forgetting about that when I get cramps!

Which reminds me, I'm to the bottom of a big jar of pepperoncini, need to keep this in mind. Maybe boneless thighs, brined in pepper juice, then grilled with BBQ sauce...

I was just thinking pepperoncini myself passing that isle yesterday. That stuff is strong though, vinegar wise.

 

[chef k-dude]

I agree, at least what it feels like to the tongue. More water may leach out of cucumbers than peppers and maybe thats why it's milder? I've had different pickles with different intensity too.

Assist returns this result: Dill pickle brine typically has an acidity of around 5% to 7% due to the vinegar used in the pickling process. Pepperoncini brine usually has a similar acidity level, often around 5% to 6%, depending on the specific recipe or brand.

My jar of pepperoncini does also have some citric acid in it which would add more sour. Wonder how that would affect brining some chicken? Think I'll give it a try at some point. Cant be terrible, I'm thinking.

 

[chopsaw]

Cant be terrible, I'm thinking.

I didn't think so . I've used the pepper juice , pickle juice and the hot Clauson pickle juice . I've even mixed it all together . Was all about the same to me . Gonna try the bread and butter juice next .

 

[philpom]

Try it for sure, I've even used it to brine beef for beef jerky.... add red pepper flakes!

On my list is canned pickled hotdogs, sounds crazy but those pickled sausage you can buy at the gas station are pretty good on a road trip!

 

[801driver]

Curious about a couple details. Is the pickle juice brine at 100%, not diluted with water? About how long you brine chicken pieces in the pickle juice? Thanks for the tips, I will give it a try.

 

[WaterRat]

Don’t Use Vlassic…

 

[philpom]

Don’t Use Vlassic…

Best Maid

 

[Gonna Smoke]

Curious about a couple details. Is the pickle juice brine at 100%, not diluted with water? About how long you brine chicken pieces in the pickle juice? Thanks for the tips, I will give it a try.

I use it full strength and 24 hours is enough time for me...

 

[DRKsmoking]

Gonna try the bread and butter juice next .

This is all I use as, it is the pickles I make the most, Bread and Butter.
Have not used my Juice from my Mustard pickles yes. Maybe this summer after harvest time.

David