Do you love fried pickles?
They are one of my all-time favorite appetizers!
And while they are delicious on their own, they are even better when dipped in a delicious sauce.
So if you are looking for the best sauces for fried pickles, then you are in the right place.
Below, I’m sharing 10 of my favorite sauces that go great with fried pickles including ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, and more.
What Sauce Goes with Fried Pickles?
There are a few different types of sauces that go well with fried pickles. If you want something that is tangy and slightly sweet, you can use a BBQ sauce or a honey mustard sauce. For something more savory, you can try using a ranch dressing or even a ketchup-based sauce.
Still looking for sauce/dip ideas?
Then just keep scrolling!
Here are 10 sauces that go with fried pickles:
1. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is super easy to find (and relatively inexpensive), making it the perfect pantry staple to keep on hand for when those mid-day cravings hit.
Not only does soy sauce make a great dipping sauce for fried pickles, but it can also be used as a marinade or glaze.
When selecting a soy sauce, look for one that is made with natural ingredients like water, soybeans, salt, and wheat flour.
Avoid sauces that contain MSG or artificial flavors.
2. Aioli
Aioli is basically a fancier version of mayo, and it is delicious!
It’s made with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and eggs.
The addition of garlic and lemon juice give it a nice zing that really compliments the fried pickles.
If you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend giving it a try!
3. Garlic Sauce
Garlic sauce is great if you want to keep it simple, or you can use it to enhance other flavors.
If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy fried pickles, I recommend giving garlic sauce a try!
Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a garlic sauce:
- Choose a sauce that is not too sweet or too spicy.
- Look for a sauce with natural ingredients like tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, and molasses.
- Avoid sauces with high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors.
Once you’ve selected a good quality garlic sauce, there are endless ways to enjoy it!
Try it as a dipping sauce, glaze, or marinade. You can even use it in place of ketchup or cocktail sauce.
4. Cocktail Sauce
Cocktail sauce reminds me of ketchup in some ways, but with a bit more of a zing.
It’s perfect for fried pickles because it has that perfect balance of acidity and sweetness.
And, if you want to add an extra bit of flavor to your cocktail sauce, try adding some chopped fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or chives.
Here’s a quick and easy recipe for homemade cocktail sauce:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup prepared horseradish
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Dash of hot pepper sauce (optional)
Simply mix all ingredients together in a bowl and enjoy!
5. Tartar Sauce
Tartar sauce is the perfect addition to fried pickles because it enhances the flavor of the pickles and adds a delicious umami quality.
Tartar sauce is also great for dipping chicken, fish, or french fries.
To add extra flavor to your tartar sauce, try adding:
- Lemon juice
- Dill weed
- Capers
- Chopped hard-boiled egg
6. Lemon Butter Sauce
If you like lemony flavor, you’ll love lemon butter sauce!
This sauce is perfect for fried pickles because it has a tangy taste that cuts through the richness of the fried batter.
Plus, it’s easy to make your own lemon butter sauce at home with just a few ingredients:
- Butter
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Salt and pepper
To add extra flavor to your lemon butter sauce, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika.
7. Pesto
Pesto packs a serious flavor punch, and it can really elevate the taste of fried pickles.
If you want to try something new with your fried pickles, give pesto a try!
Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a pesto:
- Look for a pesto that is made with fresh ingredients like basil, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.
- Avoid pestos with fillers like nuts or bread crumbs.
- If you’re looking for extra flavor, try adding some lemon juice or red pepper flakes to your pesto.
Once you’ve selected a good quality pesto, there are endless ways to enjoy it!
Try it as a dipping sauce, spread, or mixed into mayonnaise or sour cream.
8. Chimichurri
Chimichurri will add some beautiful green color to your dish while also upping the flavor ante.
This sauce originates from South America and is traditionally made with parsley, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
I like to add a bit of cumin and smoked paprika to my chimichurri to give it extra depth of flavor.
Here’s how to make it:
- Combine all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
- Serve with fried pickles!
9. Romesco
Romesco is for those who like their food with a little bit of everything.
It has a creamy texture and a complex flavor that is both nutty and slightly sweet.
This Spanish sauce is traditionally made with roasted red peppers, almonds, garlic, and olive oil.
I like to add a bit of smoked paprika to my Romesco for an extra pop of flavor.
Here’s how to make it:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Place red peppers on a baking sheet and roast for 20-30 minutes.
- Let the peppers cool then remove the skin, stem, and seeds.
- Add the peppers, almonds, garlic, olive oil, smoked paprika, and salt to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
- Serve with fried pickles or use as a dipping sauce for veggies or crusty bread!
10. Harissa
If you like spicy food, then you’ll love harissa!
Harissa is a chili pepper paste that originates from Tunisia.
It’s traditionally made with a blend of chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, and spices like cumin and caraway.
Harissa can be used in a variety of ways, but I think it pairs especially well with fried pickles.
Not only does it add an extra layer of flavor, but the heat from the harissa will help to balance out the richness of the fried pickles.
Here’s how to make your own harissa:
- Soak dried chili peppers in warm water for 30 minutes.
- Remove stems and seeds from chili peppers.
- Place chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, cumin, and caraway seeds into a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Store in a jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
What Sauce Goes with Fried Pickles? (10 Sauces)
Ingredients
- Soy Sauce
- Aioli
- Garlic Sauce
- Cocktail Sauce
- Tartar Sauce
- Lemon Butter Sauce
- Pesto
- Chimichurri
- Romesco
- Harissa
Instructions
- Pick any of the sauces from this list to serve with your fried pickles.
- Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
- Serve in no time!