Dill Pickle Ice Cream with a Honey Drizzle
A Sweet and Savory Adventure for the Bold Foodie
If you’re a fan of unconventional flavor pairings, get ready for a dessert that will completely transform the way you think about ice cream. Dill Pickle Ice Cream with a Honey Drizzle is an unexpected yet delightful combination of tangy, briny pickles and smooth, creamy sweetness. This might sound like an odd duo at first, but trust me—this trend is taking the culinary world by storm.
This ice cream isn’t just for the adventurous; it’s for anyone who enjoys the balance of sweet and salty, tangy and creamy. The sharp bite of dill pickles blends surprisingly well with the velvety richness of a custard-based ice cream. And when finished with a drizzle of golden honey? It’s an experience unlike any other.
Why Dill Pickle Ice Cream Works Even Though It Sounds Like It Shouldn’t
1. The Magic of Sweet and Savory
At first glance, dill pickles and ice cream might seem like complete opposites, but they actually follow the classic sweet-salty balance found in some of the most beloved desserts. Think salted caramel, peanut butter and chocolate, or even cheesecake with a salted crust—these flavors play with contrast to enhance both elements.
- Dill pickles bring tang, salt, and a touch of garlic and dill—an unexpected but oddly satisfying addition to the creamy base.
- The honey drizzle softens the acidity with a floral, golden sweetness, bringing everything together.
2. The Creamy Base Keeps It Luxurious
To prevent this ice cream from tasting too briny or harsh, we use a custard-style base with egg yolks and heavy cream. The richness of the base helps to mellow out the vinegar tang from the pickles, making it a perfectly smooth, well-balanced frozen treat.
3. It’s a Trendy Conversation Starter
Strange ice cream flavors have been popping up in artisanal shops all over the world. Chefs are pushing the boundaries with creations like wasabi ice cream, cheese-infused gelato, and even soy sauce-flavored scoops. Dill Pickle Ice Cream fits right into this movement, making it a perfect novelty dessert to surprise your guests.
Choosing the Right Ingredients
Pickles: What Works Best?
Not all pickles are created equal! The best choice for this ice cream is classic dill pickles—crisp, vinegary, and loaded with fresh dill and garlic flavor.
Best Pickles to Use:
- Refrigerated dill pickles (these have a fresher, crunchier taste)
- Kosher dills (for a good balance of salt and tang)
- Homemade pickles (if you have your own batch, even better!)
Pickles to Avoid:
- Sweet pickles or bread-and-butter pickles (too sugary and won’t balance well)
- Overly processed, shelf-stable pickles (these can be too soft and lack fresh dill flavor)
The Ice Cream Base: Rich and Velvety
Since we’re working with a bold, acidic flavor, we want to keep the base as rich as possible. A custard base with egg yolks, heavy cream, and whole milk creates a luxurious texture that smooths out the sharpness of the pickles.
The Finishing Touch: Honey Drizzle
Why honey? It provides a beautiful contrast to the saltiness and tang of the ice cream. Plus, honey’s slight floral notes add another layer of depth, making the final scoop surprisingly addictive.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Ice Cream Maker (a must for smooth, creamy results)
- Mixing Bowls (for preparing the base)
- Saucepan (for heating the custard)
- Whisk (to prevent scrambled eggs in the custard)
- Fine Mesh Strainer (to remove any pickle bits for a smoother texture)
- Storage Container (for freezing the ice cream)
Dill Pickle Ice Cream Recipe
Servings & Timing Summary
- Servings: 6-8
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chilling Time: 4 hours (or overnight)
- Churning Time: 20-25 minutes
- Freezing Time: 4-6 hours
Ingredients
For the Ice Cream Base:
- 1 cup dill pickles, finely chopped
- ½ cup pickle juice (from the jar)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
For the Honey Drizzle:
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tsp lemon juice (optional, to enhance the acidity)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Infuse the Base with Pickle Flavor
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine heavy cream, milk, sugar, and salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Remove from heat and add pickle juice and vanilla extract. Set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Custard
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth.
- Slowly pour 1 cup of the warm cream mixture into the yolks, whisking constantly. (This prevents the eggs from scrambling.)
- Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 5-7 minutes).
Step 3: Strain & Chill
- Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any egg bits. Stir in the finely chopped pickles.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 4: Churn the Ice Cream
- Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer instructions (about 20-25 minutes).
- Once thick and creamy, transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for at least 4-6 hours to firm up.
Step 5: Serve with a Honey Drizzle
- In a small bowl, whisk honey with lemon juice. Drizzle over each scoop before serving
Storage & Serving Tips
- Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
- Let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping for the best texture.
- Pair with savory crackers or candied nuts for a gourmet experience.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
(Approximate values based on 8 servings)
- Calories: ~280 kcal
- Protein: ~4g
- Carbohydrates: ~30g
- Sugars: ~25g
- Fat: ~16g
- Saturated Fat: ~9g
- Sodium: ~200mg
Final Thoughts
Dill Pickle Ice Cream with Honey Drizzle is weird, wonderful, and totally worth trying. The creamy base, tangy pickles, and sweet honey work together in a way you’d never expect—creating a dessert that’s refreshing, indulgent, and surprisingly balanced. Whether you’re making it for a party, a fun challenge, or just to shock your taste buds in the best way possible, this recipe is guaranteed to start conversations.
Dill Pickle Ice Cream with a Honey Drizzle
Equipment
- Ice Cream Maker (a must for smooth, creamy results)
- Mixing Bowls (for preparing the base)
- Saucepan (for heating the custard)
- Whisk (to prevent scrambled eggs in the custard)
- Fine Mesh Strainer (to remove any pickle bits for a smoother texture)
- Storage Container (for freezing the ice cream)
Ingredients
Ingredients
For the Ice Cream Base:
- 1 cup dill pickles finely chopped
- ½ cup pickle juice from the jar
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
For the Honey Drizzle:
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tsp lemon juice optional, to enhance the acidity
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Infuse the Base with Pickle Flavor
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine heavy cream, milk, sugar, and salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Remove from heat and add pickle juice and vanilla extract. Set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Custard
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth.
- Slowly pour 1 cup of the warm cream mixture into the yolks, whisking constantly. (This prevents the eggs from scrambling.)
- Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 5-7 minutes).
Step 3: Strain & Chill
- Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any egg bits. Stir in the finely chopped pickles.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 4: Churn the Ice Cream
- Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer instructions (about 20-25 minutes).
- Once thick and creamy, transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for at least 4-6 hours to firm up.
Step 5: Serve with a Honey Drizzle
- In a small bowl, whisk honey with lemon juice. Drizzle over each scoop before serving
Notes
Let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping for the best texture.
Pair with savory crackers or candied nuts for a gourmet experience.
