4 delicious ways to reuse pickle brine in your kitchen: Video tutorial

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Don’t throw away the pickle jar just because the pickles have been consumed! There is a lot of goodness in the brine just waiting to be used elsewhere in your kitchen.

Whether you prefer spicy, dill or sweet pickles, the brine that preserves and flavors them can add extra zest to your food and help you get your money’s worth from the jar. Leftover brine will last for a couple of months, however, it will eventually go bad, according to Southern Living. You can reuse all types of brines, so hold onto your jars of pickled jalapeños, pepperoncini, okra and more, and keep reading for a few easy ways to incorporate the extra flavor into your cooking. 

Watch this video for some delicious ideas for reusing pickle juice.

Things to do with pickle juice 

Use your leftover brine to:

• Tenderize meat. 

The pickle juice is packed with flavor and the acidity will tenderize the meat. You can use it on meats like pork or chicken. 

• Make a ranch-style dressing.

A lot of this recipe is to taste, so use as much or as little as you like. If your pickle brine has garlic and herbs in it, don’t be afraid to incorporate those for some extra, extra seasoning.

To make a ranch-style dressing using pickle brine: 

1. Strain any additives, like garlic or herbs, from the juice.  
2. Dice the additives and put them in a bowl.
3. Add some pickle juice.  
4. Add sour cream and mayonnaise. You can use Greek yogurt as a lighter alternative. An extra dash of buttermilk will add bonus flavor to the dressing.
5. Sprinkle in onion powder and garlic powder.
6. Add fresh or dried herbs like dill and parsley. 
7. Mix it together and enjoy! 

• Make more pickles! 

You can pickle a lot of different vegetables with the leftover juice. Next time you find yourself with some extra, consider pickling your carrots, okra, onions, jalapeños or green beans. 

Place the whole or chopped vegetables into a jar and pour in the brine. Seal it and let it sit in the fridge for a day or two before enjoying. 

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Pickle juice lemonade 

Did you know pickle juice can provide relief from muscle cramps? The briny solution has electrolytes and can be an alternative to sports drinks like Gatorade. Plus, it doesn’t have the dyes and preservatives found in many sports drinks, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 

So next time you’re cooling down from a run or a vigorous game of pickleball, consider rehydrating with a cold glass of pickle lemonade.

To make tangy pickle lemonade: 

1. Add a few spoonfuls of pickle juice to a glass with ice. Opt for a pickle juice with a lot of flavor you like. 
2. Pour in your favorite lemonade. It can be homemade or store-bought.
3. Give it a stir and taste. Add a couple more spoonfuls of pickle juice if you want more tang. 
4. Garnish with a spear and enjoy!