A lot of times you’ll hear someone refer to a pickle as a kosher pickle or a dill pickle. Are they the same thing? What’s the difference?
The Short Answer
There are Kosher Dill Pickles and Dill Pickles. There are some very minor differences between these two but for the most part, they are the same thing.
The Long Answer
A dill pickle is one of life’s simple joys. I love the savory sweetness of crunching into a fresh dill spear. But dill pickles are also sometimes called kosher dill pickles, and people often wonder about the name difference.
For starters, dill pickles are pickled cucumbers, like every other variety of pickle. The main difference is that they are seasoned with dill, giving them their name and their distinctive taste.
A kosher dill pickle is not necessarily overseen by a Rabbi in accordance to Jewish dietary law like other kosher foods. While kosher dills are considered kosher, they get their name from the manner in which they are prepared, namely in the traditional style of a Jewish New York City kosher deli.
These delis are overseen by a Rabbi, and the pickle companies that create these traditional pickles are located in New York.
The main difference you’ll find between a regular dill and a kosher dill is the presence of garlic. Typically, dill pickles that don’t use garlic aren’t considered kosher dill pickles. That’s more of a traditional thing, however, and not a religious dietary restriction. Some kosher dills also use additional pickling spices and differing amounts of dill so it’s not a one size fits all issue.
If you can’t get enough pickles and are looking for creative uses – we’ve got you covered. The Air Fryer makes Fried Pickles so easy and this Dill Pickle Soup comes together in just 15 minutes!
Do you love dill pickles? Can you tell the difference between a typical dill and one made in the New York kosher deli style? Sound off in the comment section below and let us know!
I think kosher dills taste more like cucumbers. They have a crunch and don’t seem as saturated with the brine. I read in my old Kerr canning book that they soak the cucumbers in a salt water brine overnight before canning. That was for regular dill pickles. The kosher recipe did not include this. My partner does not eat kosher pickles because they are like cucumbers to him, which he doesn’t like. But he loves hamburger dills and they are mushy, not crunchy. Just my thoughts as I try to figure out my partner’s likes and picky nature.
Thank you for sharing with us, Nadine!
Deli style kosher dills are fermented in brine to give them the sour flavour. This gives them and the brine many health benefits derived from the natural probiotics. Supermarket pickles are mostly marinated in vinegar, not fermented and lack many of the health bnefits derived by fermentation.
You say the difference is garlic. To me it tastes like kosher dills have a lot of pepper. I long for the large dills you used to get as kids at the carnival (65+) years ago.
Thank you for sharing, Terry!
I much prefer plain dill pickles over kosher dills.
I can definitely tell the difference. Dill pickles are wonderful. Kosher dill pickles taste horrible. Dill pickles are very hard to find. Kosher dills overrun the pickle aisle.
I enjoy both, however as a remedy for leg cramps and charley horse muscle spasms, dill pickle juice takes the pain away immediately, kosher has no effect – for me.
That’s really interesting, Philip. I never knew that pickle juice was a cure. I will definitely try that next time it happens. I don’t get leg cramps but I do get foot cramps. I hope it works!
Yes i can taste the difference between a dill pickle and a kosher dill pickle, and i love kosher dill pickles!!
We use plain dill pickles to add sugar and spices to make hot sweet pickles. This will not work with kosher dill pickles. Do you know why? Thanks
Good explanation, but how are HAMBURGER dill pickles different from regular dill pickles?
You failed to mention one key component. Unless the person making pickles at home is a rabbi, their pickles cannot be Kosher. A Kosher pickle must be certified Kosher, which is a strict definition, not just a description of ingredients and flavor complexion. Kosher-style pickles can be made by anyone, but very few people can actually produce Kosher pickles.
I prefer the traditional dill pickle over kosher. There’s a big taste difference to me, I love the full flavor in the garlic spices of the traditional dill pickle. kosher pickles just don’t do it for me, it taste like it’s missing a very key ingredient my palate just doesn’t agree with it.
Thanks for sharing with us!
In my opinion the Kosher Dill taste better.
While I have eaten and have enjoyed both throughout my life, I prefer the brine of genuine dill pickles(yes I also enjoy drinking the brine lol). I like the zing/tartness of vinegar and the addition of garlic to the brine in kosher dills just dilutes and tones down the zing/tartness of the vinegar and dill that I enjoy.
Thanks for sharing with us, Matt.
Koshers are way too salty and sour. I prefer regular dill.
I have one requirement for pickles. They have to be from the refrigerator aisle. Crisp and cold. Don’t care if they’re overseen by a rabbi or touched by a priest. Room temp pickles are mush.
I prefer Kosher dill, because the flavor is stronger. I really like the salty dill flavor with a broad range of seasonings. But even here in New York City, not all kosher dill pickles are the same. I like some way more than others. I spent a long time sampling kosher dills from all the old-time famous makers around the city, and it took me a month to find the one I like the most!
That’s some serious commitment to finding the perfect pickle, Gregory!
Kosher has way too much salt.
Kosher SUCKS
My experience with kosher. They are softer with more juice and have a yellowed tinge. I prefer the original dill. Being in washington state tho. I’m not certain I’ve ever had a “real” kosher dill.
I find Kosher dills much saltier than regular dills but do not notice much garlic. I prefer kosher because of the strong flavour over regular dills
Thanks for your input, Allen!