Fried Dill Pickles
Recently, we went to the Soulstock music festival in Decatur, Alabama with friends. It was hot hot hot. We passed the time by eating our weight in snow cones for a while, but then I got to wanting something a little more substantial and headed on over to the fried Dill Pickle Tent. Hey, it was a music festival. It’s not like they had a Grilled-Chicken-Wrapped-In-Lettuce tent – not that I would have gone there if they did but still…
The Fried Dill pickles went over very well with our group and even ended up in another repeat performance. I had fun sitting next to a friend of mine who is expecting and not from around these parts. She’s from up north a ways and I said “You do realize that you are now barefoot, pregnant, and sitting in a field in Alabama eating fried pickles?”
~giggles~ I just had to point out that she was officially living the good life 
So here is how I make them. I don’t care for the sliced ones that much because they seem to have more of a twang to them plus they’re an awful lot more work. These are just plain good in my mind so let me show you how easy they are to whip up!
You’ll need: Dill Pickle Spears, Milk, Flour, Corn Meal, and Seasoned Salt
You can make do with salt and pepper if you don’t have seasoned salt and whatever flour you grab first will be fine.
My “recipe” calls for all purpose but I grabbed Self Rising first so that is what I’m using in this tutorial. It makes no difference.
This is another ingredient picture in my quest to appease the ingredients by not constantly taking the same old boring photo of them sitting on the table.
Have you ever wanted to see my Southern Plate Office?
Here it is.
This chair.
Right here.
In my living room.
This is a NEW office though because I just got this NEW chair soooo consider yourself a veteran of the official Southern Plate unveiling of the office tour.
You should feel all elite and such now so don’t forget to hold your pinky up when you drink your iced tea later. Or Diet Dr Pepper, or the pickles juice we’re fixin’ to drain, or whatever you drink.
Place corn meal, some of the flour (see recipe), and seasoned salt in a bowl and then stir it up really well.
Drain your pickles and then lay them out on a paper towel lined plate to absorb excess pickle juice.
Arrange three bowls for dredging:
Bowl#1 Milk
Bowl #2 Remaining Flour
Bowl #3 Corn Meal mixture
Dip pickle into milk, then dip into flour and then…
Sing Leslie Gore.
If you don’t know who Leslie Gore is take a moment to go google her and listen to a few of her songs so that next time I tell you to sing Leslie Gore you are able to follow my instructions.
Leslis Gore is awesome.
I suggest “Sunshine Lollipops and Rainbows” and “It’s My Party”. The first one because if you know all of the words and can sing it really fast it will impress people at parties - and/or someday annoy your children. The second one because that is the only Leslie Gore song the general public knows so when they ask you who sang the first one you can say “You know, the girl that sang…” and then you burst into “It’s My Party.”
Oh goodness, now I have to play one of her songs for you just in case you don’t look….
Watch this and enjoy the good old days when folks like me could do something that was considered by the general public to be dancing, then we’ll get back to the pickles.
Feel better now? Well ya should!
After you’ve dipped the pickle in milk and then flour, dip it in milk again.
Like this.
This is an important step because what you’re doing is basically making a sort of glue that will help adhere more of the cornbread mixture to the pickle. I’ve made these before without this extra milk and flour dip and you end up with significantly less breading on your final pickles.
This is also a great trick to use when making fried green tomatoes or pretty much any other breaded fried item.
Now dip into the cornmeal and turn to coat all sides.
Repeat until all of them are done. Handle them carefully so you don’t knock any breading off.
Place in a skillet of hot oil over medium high heat and cook until browned, then cook until browned on other side.
Unless you have enough oil to cover them, which I did not. If that is the case you won’t need to turn them.
Once they get as brown as you want them (which will likely take about 5-10 minutes) remove to paper towel lined plate.
I realize 5-10 minutes is kind of a big window here but it depends on how hot your oil is when you put them in and how brown you want them – and whether or not you get busy with other things and forget them for a few minutes.
They’re pretty forgiving.
Serve with ranch dressing to dip them in.
Even if you are like me and don’t really care for ranch dressing, it’s good on these puppies!
Ingredients
- 1 jar dill pickle spears
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup plain yellow corn meal
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- 1 cup milk
- Vegetable Oil to cook in
- Ranch Dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Pour vegetable oil to a depth of at least 1/2 inch in medium sized skillet and place over medium high heat. Drain pickles and place spears on paper towel lined plate to absorb moisture while you prepare breading.
- Place corn meal in small bowl. Add 1/2 cup flour and seasoned salt. Stir until well combined. In separate bowl, pour remaining flour and place milk in third bowl.
- Using your hands, dip a pickle into milk, then flour, then milk, then cornmeal breading. Repeat until all pickles are breaded.
- Carefully place pickles into hot oil and cook until browned, stirring once if needed, about ten minutes.
- Remove from skillet and place on paper towel lined plate. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving with ranch dressing.
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Posted by Christy Jordan
on Jun 4 2012. Filed under Side Dishes.
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Hey, don’t forget To Sir, With Love! Leslie Gore plays one of the high school students and sings the title song.
Love that movie!
Denise in Dallas
Sorry Denise, that was Lulu.
Sorry Denise, that was Lulu the British pop singer not Leslie Gore singing the title song and playing the part of the singer
These are FABULOUS!!! Addicting
I’ve had these in a restraunt before, but never tried to make them. Definatley am going to fry some up. Also I worked in a local restraunt that made home made onion rings, and we used the same battering trio, except we used cracker meal instead of corn meal. Less gritty, so I may try some with that also. Will be frying mine in GrapeOle oil. So much better tasting.
We fixed the fried pickles Wednesday with 2 of our grandkids. They were great. Actually we had a taste off – first batch we battered once and the second batch we double dipped in the cornmeal mixture – it was voted hands down the best. I love your website. Keep up the great recipes.
The recipe sounds wonderful. I really enjoyed the song–so cheerful!!!
Thanks, Pam
If you use some jalapeno juice in the milk, it adds just a little spice to these that is amazing! LOVE the recipe. Had them for lunch yesterday!!! Thanks so much!
I’ve only had fried pickle chips at a restaurant and they were so yummy! Can’t wait to actually try this recipe for the pickle spears. Sounds delish!
I use House of Autry Hushpuppy mix!
ohhh, great idea Jill!!
YUM! Makin’ me hungry! I’ll have to them like these. I usually use the one already sliced, but I can see how this would work too!
I made these for lunch for my daughter and I, and we loved them! I made some buttermilk ranch to dip them in and they were awesome!
I like to use zatarains fish fry i think its the southern style kind….we tried it once and it was amazing…and simple!
Tried your recipe. The dill pickles were amazing. Thank you Christy for what you do to make me life easier.
I am glad to hear that you liked them Pam!!! Thank you so much!!
I hate you! …but thank you delish!
I am new to your site, but have to say, I LOVE it. I love fried pickles and will make these for the 4th. Can’t wait to try them. We live in IL., but we are southerners at heart.
I’ll be visiting this site regularly and telling my daughters about it.
I’m heading to Amizon next to buy your cook book. Thanks so much.
Quick question…. I usually buy Aunt Jemima Self- Rising Cornmeal Mix, does anyone know if that can be used in place of the cornmeal? I would still use the flour for dipping, just wasn’t sure if I need to buy regular cornmeal…. anybody??
Thank You !
I’ll have to try these. My DH’s garden is doing so well that when he brings me more cucumbers, I just cry. We have enough dill pickles canned to last a long time.
I started singing “Sunshine and Lollipops…” as I was reading this entry, and my 7 yo DD told me to stop. And to NOT sing that in public! (because she knows I will) LOL
Well I can’t wait go try this recipes. Once again I’m hooked on you. Would you happen to have a good homemade recipe for Butter Milk Ranch Dressing. And yes every time I’m in the kitchen singing Sunshine and Lollipops my grandson says grandma making use good yummy food.. Can’t help but love are grandchildren.
I tried these
These were my replacements/modifications.
For the flour I used whole wheat which was very good actually, and added to the crunchiness.
And did 1/2 milk 1/2 buttermilk for the liquid
For dipping sauce I used a yoghurt/dill dressing.
nom nom nom
I have tried to make fried pickles before, and failed miserable. My boyfriend loves them so i want to give it another try with this recipe. Rather then frying has anyone tried baking? If so how long and at what temp?
You can try baking but I’d go for frying first. Baking will not get you that wonderful crispness in the breading, although it is a good option if you simply cannot fry them and just want the pickle but aren’t concerned with texture or the flavor you’d get from frying. You can do this! You’re far more talented than you realize!
I just made the fried pickles and it was a success! I’m so happy after failing a few times before with other recipes. Thanks Christy.
YAY!! Another Satisfied customer!
)
All you needed was a Christy Jordan pep talk, Caitlin!
How funny that fried pickles was a post today. I had fried pickles at City Barbeque yesterday. We asked for a sample and the manager brought us a regular helping (as we say in the south) on the house. And yes I did have diet Dr. Pepper. Guess I could try these myself.
This is the most well written recipe I’ve ever read. Laughed out loud.
I always make fried pickles with the slices, never thought about making them with spears! mmm they sure do look good though!
I hope you get to try them sometime Angie!!
I love dill pickles and I tried them at Lucille’s Barbecue Rest and I feel in love with them the only thing is I didn’t like the corn meal breading I can not wait to try these.
WOW, looks amazing
I used breadcrumbs instead of cornmeal and buttermilk. It was delicious! Thanks for the recipe.
I love your humor!!! LOL!! And I love Leslie Gore’s song!! yup , Drive my children crazy too!! When start cook or clean I turn on my music and drive them nut!! It my back for all the gray hair!!. I love Fried Dill pickle!!!