Dill Pickle Bread Recipe

The Zesty Dill Pickle Bread Recipe Everyone’s Talking About

Crafting a delightful dill pickle bread recipe can turn an ordinary afternoon into a culinary adventure.

Unexpected ingredients sometimes create magic in the kitchen.

Tangy pickles bring surprising zest to traditional bread-making techniques.

Savory aromas will soon fill your home with warm, inviting scents.

Pickle lovers understand how a single ingredient can completely transform a classic recipe.

Home bakers seeking something unique will adore this unconventional twist on comfort food.

Slice into this remarkable bread and let your taste buds explore a whole new world of flavor.

Dill Pickle Bread That Brings Tang to Every Slice

  • Pickle Punch Perfection: Transforms classic bread into a tangy, flavor-packed experience with dill pickle juice and chopped pickles.
  • Quick Kitchen Magic: Requires only 45-60 minutes total preparation time, making it an effortless gourmet bread perfect for busy home cooks.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Complements sandwiches, serves as a unique appetizer, and delights both adults and kids with its unexpected zesty twist.
  • Beginner-Friendly Technique: Uses simple mixing methods and bread machine option, allowing novice bakers to create professional-looking artisan bread with minimal skill required.

Ingredient Set of Dill Pickle Bread

Bread Base Ingredients:
  • Flour, Yeast: Core ingredients for creating the bread's structure and helping it rise.
  • Pickle Juice, Sugar: Adds unique flavor and helps activate the yeast.
  • Salt: Enhances overall bread flavor and controls yeast activity.
Liquid and Fat Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Provides moisture and helps create a soft bread texture.
  • Warm Water: Adjusts dough consistency as needed.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Dill Pickle, Dried Dill Weed: Delivers signature tangy and herbal pickle flavor.
  • Cornmeal (Optional): Provides a non-stick surface and adds subtle texture to bread bottom.

How to Make Dill Pickle Bread from Scratch

How to Make Dill Pickle Bread from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Pickle Ingredients

Finely chop the dill pickle and gently blot away excess moisture using a paper towel.

Set the chopped pickle aside for later use.

Step 2: Activate Yeast

Combine yeast with sugar in warm pickle juice.

Let the mixture sit and become frothy, which typically takes about 10 minutes.

The liquid will become bubbly and foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready.

Step 3: Create Bread Dough Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine the activated yeast mixture with:
  • Olive oil
  • Sugar
  • Flour
  • Pickle juice
  • Salt

Use a mixer with a flat paddle attachment to blend all ingredients until they form a cohesive mixture.

Step 4: Knead and Develop Dough

Switch to a dough hook and continue mixing.

Gradually incorporate:
  • Remaining flour
  • Chopped dill pickle
  • Dried dill weed

Knead the dough on medium speed for 6-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 5: Adjust Dough Consistency

Fine-tune the dough’s texture by adding flour or warm water, one tablespoon at a time.

The goal is a soft, pliable dough that’s not too sticky or dry.

Step 6: First Dough Rise

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl.

Cover and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, which takes approximately one hour.

Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release air bubbles.

Step 7: Shape The Loaf

Form the dough into a round loaf.

Place it in a greased Dutch oven, cover, and allow a second rise for 30 minutes.

Step 8: Prepare For Baking

Preheat the oven to 450°F.

This high temperature will help create a crispy, golden crust.

Step 9: Initial Baking Phase

Place the covered Dutch oven in the preheated oven.

Bake for 20 minutes to develop initial structure and color.

Step 10: Final Baking Stage

Remove the lid and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes.

The bread is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 200°F and develops a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Step 11: Cool And Serve

Carefully remove the bread from the Dutch oven.

Place on a cooling rack and let it rest for 30 minutes before slicing.

This allows the interior to set and makes clean, neat slices possible.

Dill Pickle Bread Hacks for Bold, Briny Flavor Fans

  • Blot chopped pickles thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making the bread soggy.
  • Use warm pickle juice or a pickle/water mixture to proof yeast, ensuring a successful rise and rich flavor.
  • Adjust flour or water gradually, one tablespoon at a time, to achieve the perfect smooth and elastic texture.
  • Bake in a preheated Dutch oven with a lid to create a crispy crust and maintain moisture inside the bread.
  • Allow the bread to cool completely on a rack for at least 30 minutes to set the crumb and enhance slicing quality.

Storing Guide for Dill Pickle Bread

  • Store the cooled bread in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
  • Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F, wrap bread in foil, and warm for 10-15 minutes to restore softness and bring back its original texture.
  • Before storing or freezing, slice the bread to make future reheating and serving easier and more convenient.

Dill Pickle Bread Serving Ideas

  • Pair with Tangy Charcuterie Plate: Arrange cured meats like salami, prosciutto, and sharp cheeses that complement the bread's pickled flavor profile, creating a zesty and savory combination.
  • Sip Crisp German Pilsner: Select a light, clean beer with slight hop bitterness that matches the bread's tangy and herbal notes, enhancing the overall taste experience without overwhelming the delicate pickle undertones.
  • Serve alongside Creamy Herb Spread: Prepare a dill-infused cream cheese or soft herbed goat cheese that echoes the bread's dill weed and pickle elements, providing a smooth and complementary texture.
  • Enjoy with Chilled Dill Pickle Martini: Create a cocktail using vodka, pickle juice, and fresh dill garnish that mirrors the bread's primary flavor components, offering a playful and sophisticated drink pairing.

Dill Pickle Bread with Flavor Infusions

  • Gluten-Free Pickle Bread: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the mixture includes xanthan gum to help bind the dough and maintain texture.
  • Vegan Pickle Bread: Substitute olive oil with coconut oil and use a plant-based egg replacer to bind the ingredients, keeping the dill pickle and juice for flavor.
  • Low-Sodium Pickle Bread: Use reduced-sodium pickles and decrease salt content, supplementing with herbs like garlic powder or onion powder for enhanced taste.
  • Whole Wheat Pickle Bread: Swap half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to increase fiber content and create a more nutritious bread with a slightly nuttier flavor profile.

FAQs

  • Can I use store-bought pickle juice for this recipe?

Yes, you can use store-bought pickle juice as a substitute for homemade pickle juice. Just ensure it’s from a jar of dill pickles to maintain the flavor profile.

  • Do I need any special equipment to make this bread?

A stand mixer with a dough hook is helpful but not mandatory. You can also knead the dough by hand, though it might require more effort and time.

  • How do I know if my yeast is still active?

When you mix yeast with warm liquid and sugar, it should become frothy within 10 minutes. If no bubbles form, your yeast might be expired and you’ll need to replace it.

  • Can I replace dried dill weed with fresh dill?

Absolutely! Use about 3 times more fresh dill compared to dried dill. Fresh dill will give a slightly more vibrant flavor to your bread.

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Dill Pickle Bread Recipe

Dill Pickle Bread Recipe


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4.6 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Homemade Dill Pickle Bread brings tangy zest to classic quick bread with a unique twist. Briny pickles and fresh dill create a savory sensation you’ll crave for unexpected comfort and delightful flavor combinations.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 cups bread flour or unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup lukewarm dill pickle juice (110F)
  • 1 large dill pickle, diced

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 tablespoon dried dill weed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon sugar, divided

Yeast and Liquid Ingredients:

  • 3 teaspoons instant active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Meticulously pat the dill pickle dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crisp texture in the final bread.
  2. Activate the yeast by dissolving it in warm pickle juice, allowing the mixture to become foamy and fragrant for approximately 10 minutes.
  3. Combine the activated yeast with olive oil, sugar, and initial flour quantities in a large mixing bowl, creating a smooth, preliminary dough base.
  4. Gradually incorporate remaining flour, kneading thoroughly until the dough transforms into a cohesive, elastic consistency that springs back when touched.
  5. Fold the finely chopped dill pickles and dried dill weed into the dough, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture for consistent flavor.
  6. Transfer the prepared dough to a lightly greased bowl, covering it with a clean kitchen towel to allow for proper fermentation and rising.
  7. Once the dough has doubled in volume, gently deflate it and shape into a round loaf, preparing it for the final proofing stage.
  8. Position the shaped loaf in a preheated Dutch oven, allowing it to rise for an additional 30 minutes before baking.
  9. Place the covered Dutch oven in a 450°F oven, creating a steamy environment that will help develop a crisp, golden crust.
  10. After the initial covered baking period, remove the lid and continue baking until the bread achieves a deep golden brown color and reaches an internal temperature of 200°F.
  11. Remove the freshly baked loaf from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack, enabling the interior to set and develop its full flavor profile.

Notes

  • Blot pickles thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making the dough soggy and affecting bread texture.
  • Pickle juice adds a tangy flavor and can replace some water, enhancing the bread’s unique taste profile.
  • Experiment with different pickle varieties like garlic or spicy dill to create unique bread variations.
  • Ensure yeast activation by using warm (not hot) liquid to prevent killing the live cultures.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Angelina Wiles

Angelina Wiles

Content Editor & Culinary Enthusiast

Expertise

Food Writing and Editing, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Baking and Pastry Arts, Sustainable Cooking Practices​

Education

Portland Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on sustainable cooking practices, vegetarian cuisine, and food writing.​

​Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized training in artisanal baking, pastry techniques, and dessert presentation.


Angelina’s love for cooking started with handwritten family recipes and weekend trips to farmers’ markets around Portland. She followed her passion with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Portland Community College, then perfected her sweet side with a Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts at Oregon Culinary Institute.
Angelina believes recipes should feel like a conversation, not a science project. She’s all about helping readers trust themselves in the kitchen with simple steps, fresh ideas, and easy twists on classic meals.
When she’s not editing recipes, she’s baking bread, sipping coffee, or getting inspired by the changing seasons.

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