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Here in Massachusetts – particularly in the Boston area – many people (including my husband Jack) use the term “wicked” in place of the word “very” to describe something. For example: “That movie was wicked awesome!” or “That kid is wicked smart!” (And to get the full effect, picture this in your mind, all said with a strong Boston accent!)
So in the tourist town where we live (about an hour south of Boston) a local pub and restaurant gets in on the fun by serving an addictively good appetizer called “Wicked Pickles!”
Wicked Pickles are spicy, battered and deep fried dill pickle slices served with a creamy, spicy dipping sauce. Every bite is zesty, salty, briny, a little sweet, and crunchy with a dill after bite – and they are wicked good! (Sorry – I couldn’t resist!) 😉
Inspired by that local restaurant, we decided to try making our own version of Wicked Pickles at home – and we’re sharing our recipe with you today! Enjoy!
We love seeing what you made! Tag us on Instagram at @afamilyfeast or hashtag #afamilyfeast so we can see your creations!
Wicked Pickles
Wicked easy and delicious!
Ingredients
For The Dip
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (whichever you have on hand)
- 1 tablespoon Catalina dressing (ketchup is fine as a substitute)
- 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
- 2 tablespoons sweet pepper relish
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/4 teaspoon Srirarcha (liquid sriracha or dry Sriracha spice powder)
For the Batter
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon dry basil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon hot Mexican chili powder
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon hot paprika
- 1 1/2 cups beer (we used Corona but any mild beer will work)
To Prep the Pickles
- 1 16–ounce jar of dill pickle slices (we used Vlasic Ovals for a wider surface), drained and patted dry on paper towels
- 1/2 cup flour to dust pickles in prior to placing in batter
- Vegetable for frying
Instructions
- Mix all dip ingredients and hold.
- Mix all batter ingredients, ending with beer. Batter should be like a light pancake batter.
- Lay out half cup of flour in a plate or bowl and toss dried pickle chips to coat.
- Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan to 350 degrees using a candy thermometer.
- Dip one pickle chip from flour into batter and drop in hot oil. It should cook up like tempura. You want a light coating that crisps up with some of the pickle showing. Cook to crisp and remove to a paper towel (about 2 – 2 ½ minutes). Taste pickle and adjust batter based on how spicy you like the batter. Also add more flour or beer to get a perfect tempura type batter.
- Fry in two batches and serve with sauce on the side.
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Wow. I made this for a family reunion last night. It turned out so good. My husband, kids, and everyone else in my extended family loved it. Thank you for the amazing recipe! <3
So glad to hear that the pickles were a hit!
My daughter in law is a pickle nut to start with. But NOW she is a pregnant SUPER pickle
nut. She is going to love love love this.
LOL – wow those pickle cravings must be strong!! Hope she loves the recipe!
How funny…I lived in New Engand for 7 years, and recently moved to Austin where I tried my first fried pickle! I LOVE THEM. There is a local place that serves them in a big basket, and we never order them unless we have a group because there are just too many for the two of us. But now I can make them at home!! I love this and I hope you’re surviving the snow! We’re seeing pictures of it all over our facebook feeds and oh how I do not envy the volume of snow you’re getting this year. I hope it makes bug season easier!
You moved away JUST in time to avoid this crazy winter Melissa!