What Dollar Stretchers Do With Leftover Pickle Juice
TDS Money-Saving Strategist: Andrea Norris-McKnight | posted July 2026
It started with a simple reader tip.
Years ago, Dollar Stretcher reader Marilyn shared several clever ways she uses leftover pickle juice instead of pouring it down the drain.
Do not discard that pickling juice left in the jar! I use pickle juice in the following ways:
- Strain and use a little in deviled eggs (you can add sugar if it is dill pickle juice).
- Strain and use over sliced cucumbers and onions (I had leftovers of both and made a salad from this).
- Strain and add a bit of olive oil and other desired spices to make a salad dressing.
- Strain and use in tuna salad, chicken salad or other mixtures.
Consider pickle juice for any recipe that calls for a combination of vinegar and spices. Check the ingredients on the jar label—it’s already mixed up and has only had pickles marinating in it. There’s no reason just to pour it down the drain!
We recently posted her tip on Facebook, expecting a handful of additional ideas.
Instead, dozens of readers jumped into the conversation with their own favorite uses for leftover pickle juice. From marinating meat and making potato salad to flavoring vegetables and even using it in unexpected ways around the house, we were amazed at the creativity.
Since so many great suggestions were shared, we decided to gather some of the best ideas here on the website. Whether you buy dill, sweet or bread-and-butter pickles, you might think twice before tossing that last bit of brine.
Make More Pickles
If you grow cucumbers in your garden, here is a cheap way to make pickles. After we finish a jar of store-bought pickles (sweet or dill), I don’t throw away the jar or the juice. I simply cut up our own fresh cucumbers and stuff them in the jar with the juice. Wait about a week, and you’ll have homemade pickles for free, without all the hassle of canning or adding spices. Of course, you can do this with store-bought cucumbers if you don’t have a garden.
Diane
Use Pickle Juice for Better Health
Pickle juice can be used for muscle cramps.
Denise
Save it, drink about 1/4 cup when you start getting leg cramps
Trisa
My husband drinks it instead of Gatorade for an electrolyte boost.
Candice
Science does support the use of pickle juice for the following:
- Probiotics
- Exercise recovery
- Blood sugar regulation
- Weight loss
- Hangover remedy
- Antioxidants
Sources:
Is Pickle Juice Good for You? 6 Potential Benefits
Does Pickle Juice Really Help Muscle Cramps?
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Pickle Shots, Anyone?
Carrie recommends using pickle juice for pickle shots.
I had never heard of pickle shots, but according to Google’s Gemini AI, “A pickle shot is a savory, tangy drink that combines alcohol (typically vodka, whiskey, or tequila) with dill pickle brine.”
Google also provided a few drink recipe variations based on this simple shot recipe:
- Spicy Pickle Margarita: Substitute the vodka for tequila and add a splash of triple sec and fresh lime juice.
- Bloody Mary Shot: Mix vodka with pickle juice, tomato juice, a dash of Worcestershire, and horseradish.
If you enjoy the taste of pickles and want to give this a shot (pun intended), you can find other recipes online.
Pickle Juice Uses in the Kitchen
And finally, some ways Dollar Stretchers are using pickle juice in other foods:
“Marinate pork ribs before grilling. 1/2 hour to 1 hour. No need to rinse. You won’t taste the vinegar.” — Karen
“I use it to soak my potatoes and onions when making potato salad. You can use less mayonnaise and it gives it a good flavor. I actually learned from a Julia Child cooking show, but she suggested vinegar.” — Pam
“I add bread-and-butter pickle juice to real mayo for my potato and/or mac salad dressing.” — Colleen
“Use it for marinating chicken — copycat Chick-fil-A.” — Ginger (Yes, we verified this on the Chick-fil-A website.)
“Blanch the stocks from Kale and put them in the pickle jar. Delicious.” — Elayne
“Put an envelope of ranch dressing in with the pickles overnight. Yummy!” — Julie
“Dill pickle juice makes the best pickled eggs.” — Lori
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About the Author
Andrea Norris-McKnight is the Money-Saving Strategist behind The Dollar Stretcher.
She helps people on tight budgets cut everyday costs, build steadier money habits and create a little breathing room—without guilt, gimmicks, or unrealistic advice.
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About The Dollar Stretcher
The Dollar Stretcher shares practical ways to lower everyday costs, build steadier money habits and move from stuck to stable on a tight budget.
Learn more about how we can help you.