Moonshine pickles are a tangy, crunch, boozy surprise that is the perfect accompaniment to any party. Great for game day, bachelor parties or to up your barbeque game. It takes only a few minutes to make and a few hours to rest and you are ready to go!
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Why this Moonshine Pickles Recipe is a Keeper
These moonshine pickles are a surprising little package that packs a punch. If you are looking for something to up your party game these little beauties will definitely fit the bill. You can find Ole Smoky Moonshine Dill Pickles in stores, but these are super easy to make at home. These are just like Ole Smoky Moonshine Pickles
These are the perfect dill pickle for a dill pickle shot, bloody marys, and other ole smoky recipes for cocktails.
- 5 Minutes:Grab a jar strain and fill.
- Easy Ingredients: Only two!!
- Adaptable: Can make so many things with these pickles or eat them alone!
- Makes Great Hostess Gifts: A great party gift for your lucky hostess. You will be gifting good times.
Ingredient Notes for this Easy Product
You don’t want anything messin’ with your perfect dill pickle experience. These pickles are based on the ones made from that Tennessee Company. But you can add fun flavors to make your favorite crunchy snack.
- Original Moonshine: You want to use a plain version for this snack.
- Dill Gherkin Pickles: We use a delicious dill pickle for this recipe.
- Sriracha Sauce: I love this sauce for the pickle recipe.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions
- Prep Time: To make these shine pickles, you will need to make them in advance to let all the flavors meld together and become perfect.
Special Equipment Needed
- Strainer: You will need a strainer to remove the pickle juice. It is the easiest way.
- Mason Jar: For us, a mason jar and lid makes for easy storage and gift giving. But you can use your choice of jars. Make a little label or sign for added fun.
Pro Tip
Sweet and Tangy: Add a touch of honey or maple syrup to balance the acidity of the vinegar and moonshine.
How to Make Moonshine Pickles
1. Drain the Jar
First, drain the pickles and reserve the liquid and then add the drained pickles, moonshine and Sriracha into the empty pickle jar, next add reserved pickle juice to fill the jar.
2. Rest
Finally, give a good shake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Store your moonshine pickles in a cool, dark place.
- Using Leftovers: The leftovers can be great for a charcuterie boards, burgers, and sandwiches.
Variations and Substitutions
- Spicy Kick: Add a few slices of jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a fiery kick.
- Herbaceous Notes: Incorporate fresh herbs like dill, thyme, or rosemary for a fragrant and aromatic flavor.
- Alternate ingredient: No need to just use gherkins, use any type of dill pickle, slices, spears, etc. You can also make moonshine cherries and moonshine peaches.
Recipe FAQs
It is great for tailgating and fun gatherings. So I serve with classic party foods. Such as:
Grilled Crispy Chicken Wings
Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Yes, you can reuse the moonshine from moonshine pickles to create a new batch. However, it’s important to consider that the moonshine will have absorbed some of the flavors from the pickles, which might alter the taste of your next batch.
They can last for several years. The high alcohol content of the brine acts as a natural preservative, helping to keep the pickles crisp and flavorful.
Expert Tips for Making This Pickle Moonshine Recipe
- Choose the Right Moonshine: A high-proof moonshine with a neutral flavor profile works best.
- Adjust the Heat: The amount of moonshine you add will determine the heat level of your pickles. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
- Experiment with Flavors: Add other spices like garlic, dill, or jalapeños to customize the flavor profile.
- Serve and Enjoy: Moonshine pickles are perfect as a snack, appetizer, or condiment. They pair well with charcuterie boards, burgers, and sandwiches.
- Always use food-grade moonshine.
- Consume responsibly.
Moonshine Pickles
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 16 ounces dill gherkin pickles, jar
- 1 cup moonshine
- ¼ teaspoon Sriracha
Instructions
- Drain the pickles and reserve the liquid.
- Add the drained pickles, moonshine and Sriracha into the empty pickle jar.
- Add reserved pickle juice to fill the jar.
- Give a good shake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Christina’s Notes
-
- Choose the Right Moonshine: A high-proof moonshine with a neutral flavor profile works best.
- Adjust the Heat: The amount of moonshine you add will determine the heat level of your pickles. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
- Experiment with Flavors: Add other spices like garlic, dill, or jalapeños to customize the flavor profile.
- Serve and Enjoy: Moonshine pickles are perfect as a snack, appetizer, or condiment. They pair well with charcuterie boards, burgers, and sandwiches.
- Always use food-grade moonshine.
- Consume responsibly.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
How long does this last?
Unopened: Moonshine pickles can last for several years when unopened.
Opened: Once opened, they can last for several months, especially if stored in the refrigerator.
Would these still be ok if they sat for a few weeks or would they be too strong?
They should be fine to consume. Refrigerate after opening.
Question. To seal contents, can this recipe be water bathed for at least 10 minutes?
The reason you would only water bath for 10 minutes is if the contents are already hot and you are sealing the jar.
There is no reason to seal the jar, there is little to no chance of it ‘spoiling’ with all the alcohol. If you are concerned about this, add more alcohol.
What?! How have I never heard of Moonshine pickles before? This is such an awesome idea. I can see my family loving these, especially as a garnish in Caesar’s (that’s the Canadian version of a Bloody Mary).
These were great! A nice change from regular pickles.
I loved the addition of the hot sauce- made the flavor so fun!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!