Looking for something sweet, tangy, and spicy to elevate the flavors of your next cheeseburger? If so, be sure to take a look at these Spicy Bread and Butter Pickles from Cheeseburger Guru.
I know, you are thinking "sweet pickles on a cheeseburger?!"
Well, don't be too quick to judge. Sweet and savory, sweet and spicy, sweet and tangy are all great combinations. You see these combinations everywhere from salads, main dishes, desserts, and snack foods. So why do you think that these combos won't or don't work with cheeseburgers?
What makes these pickles a great choice as a burger condiment? Let’s take a look.
- Bread and butter pickles have a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the savory flavors of a cheeseburger. The sweetness comes from the sugar used in the pickling process, the tanginess comes from the addition of vinegar, while the spiciness comes from crushed red pepper.
- Bread and butter pickles have a crisp, crunchy texture that adds a nice contrast to the soft texture of the bun and ground beef in your cheeseburger. It is a pleasant surprise to hit the crunchy texture of the pickles as you make your way through the soft bun and minced beef. The crunch also helps to balance out the fattiness of the burger. To me, this is probably the biggest feature of Spicy Bread and Butter Pickles. They have a unique crunch to them.
- The acidity from the vinegar in the bread and butter pickles helps cut through the rich fattiness of the burger and brightens the flavors of the burger with a tangy crunch.
By themselves, each of these characteristics add a new dimension to the star of the show - the cheeseburger. Together, they add flavor and complexity that is above the sum of their individual part. Overall, bread and butter pickles are a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used to enhance the flavor of any burger, bringing your cheeseburger experience to the next level.
Give these tasty treats a try and let me know what you think on IG or YouTube.
- Mandoline Slicer - https://amzn.to/3YXTpuk
- Clamp-lid Glass Storage Jars - https://amzn.to/40ufy4C
- Tramontina Tri-Ply Stainless Cookware Set - https://amzn.to/4jmgbnd
Looking for more? See the recommended kitchen gear from Cheeseburger Guru.
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12.5oz / 360 g English cucumbers
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1.7oz / 50g white or yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 1/4 medium onion)
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1 cup / 235 ml white distilled vinegar (5% acidity)
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1 cup / 235 ml apple cider vinegar (5% acidity)
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5.3 oz / 125g sugar
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8g kosher salt
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1 tbsp (0.35oz / 10g) mustard seeds
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1-1/2 tsp (0.1oz / 3g) crushed red pepper flakes (or 1 jalapeno stemmed and thinly sliced)
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1/2 tsp (0.1oz / 2g) celery seeds
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1/2 tsp (0.05oz / 1g) ground turmeric
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2 tsp (5 g)peppercorns
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1 inch cinnamon stick
When making Spicy Bread and Butter Pickles, start by rinsing the cucumbers, removing any dirt or debris that may have stuck to the outer skin.
Remove the ends of the cucumbers and discard. Slice the cucumbers in 1/4-inch thick slices. Add to a large bowl. Add the sliced onions and set aside.
Clean and dry your storage jar.
In a non-reactive saucepan, combine the vinegars, sugar, and all of the pickling spices. Bring mixture to a boil to dissolve the sugar. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Add the sliced cucumbers and onions. Bring to a light boil and remove from heat.
Use a slotted spoon to pack the storage jar with the cucumbers and onions.
Loosely pack jars to 1-1/2 inch from the rim with the cucumbers and onions. Do not over-pack the jars. Pickles should be able to float freely allowing spices to settle to the bottom.
Once the cucumbers and onions are packed, add the hot vinegar sugar syrup and fill to 1/2 inch of the rim.
Wipe the rim clean with a damp towel.
Allow to cool down to room temperature.
Transfer the cooled jars, containing your Spicy Bread and Butter Pickles, directly to the refrigerator and eat within 1 month.
