For the last few years, the pickle has been gradually gaining in popularity. From pickle sweatshirts, to a variety of new pickle snacks, there is an endless avenue of opportunities to expand your pickle palate in 2025. Previously, we have seen dill pickle lemonade and pickle flavored beer from Sun King Brewery featured in the Indiana State Fair. Now, we are seeing pickle flavored foods and beverages popping up all over the Indianapolis area.
Whether you have always been a fan of the pickle, or you are looking for a new trend to follow, 2025 marks the rise of all pickle themed snacks, treats, and merchandise. We have rounded up some of the most unique pickle inspired foods from all across Indiana. From the classic fried pickles, to pickle flavored soda, you are sure to find a new favorite pickle staple.
Fried Pickles
If you are just looking for some of the pickle classics, or you aren’t looking for anything too adventurous: look no further. There are so many great spots to get fried pickles in Indianapolis, but here are our top three recommendations.
Fried pickles from 317 Burger, a Broad Ripple favorite, deliver the perfect blend of crunch and tang. These crispy chips are lightly breaded and paired with a house-made dipping sauce. These are the ideal starter or snack to enjoy with friends and family, but you might just want to keep them all for yourself. These pickle chips are a must-try for all Indianapolis pickle lovers.
Fried pickles are a crowd favorite at Kilroy’s. Accompanied by a side of house-made ranch for dipping, these are a popular choice for sharing during game days or nights out enjoying the lively atmosphere.
Kuma’s Corner fried pickles deliver a bold crunch and tangy punch in every bite. The thick cut pickle spears are battered and fried to a crispy golden finish. Served with a zesty dipping sauce, they are the perfect appetizer to kick-start the night at Kuma’s corner. Matching Kuma’s energy and over-the-top burgers, these pickles are loud, extreme, and unapologetically delicious.
Appetizers and Sides
Ale Emporium’s Pretzel Crusted Pickles
If you’re worried about getting adventurous with your pickle exploration, try the pretzel crusted pickles at Ale Emporium. These pretzel coated pickle chips are deep fried and served with your choice of signature spicy mustard or ranch dressing. These crispy, salty, and addicting pretzel-crusted pickles make the perfect start to any meal at Ale Emporium. Taking inspiration from fried pickles and pickle fries, this delicious appetizer doesn’t stray too far from classical pickle snacks, but takes a unique spin on a classic appetizer. This appetizer is a stand out snack in Ale Emporium’s lineup of pub favorites.
Court House Grounds’ Dill Pickle Soup
The Dill Pickle Soup at CourtHouse Grounds is a cozy, but tangy and flavor-packed pickle option that beautifully blends the comfort of a starchy, savory, and hearty broth with the brine and tang of the pickle. This perfectly balanced dish from Danville is a must-try for pickle lovers looking for a different, but delicious dining experience.
Sweetgreen Ripple Fries and Pickle Ketchup
Sweetgreen isn’t just local to Indianapolis, as they have locations across the country, but we couldn’t leave out their famous Pickle Ketchup. Sweetgreen’s Pickle Ketchup is a bold and tangy alternative to the classic condiment that blends the zesty flavor of pickles with the sweetness of ketchup. This unique sauce adds a surprising kick to any dish that is perfect to serve with Sweetgreen’s Ripple Fries, drizzle over a bowl, or to dip your veggies in. This refreshing and savory condiment brings a creative and crave-worthy edge to Sweetgreen’s menu.
Beverages
Yes that’s right… there are even pickle flavored drinks! Here are some pickle-flavored beverages for the adventurous foodies out there.
Pickle Flavored Soda from Rocket Fizz
For the die hard pickle fans out there who think they have tried everything — have you tried pickle flavored soda? Rocket Fizz is known for their selection of quirky soda flavors and throwback candies. With its unmistakable dill pickle taste, combined with the sweet and carbonated kick, this pickle flavored soda is a fun novelty drink for gag gifts, special occasions, and adventurous palates. Whether you are just a curious foodie, or a pickle lover, this soda is a once in a lifetime experience: meaning it’s fun to try it once, but it probably shouldn’t get stocked in your fridge.
Field Brewing’s Dill Pickle Sour
Field Brewing’s Dill Pickle sour is a refreshing and tart craft beer that combines the unmistakable sour and zing of a dill pickle. This beer is bursting with a crisp briny flavor that is playful, yet well-balanced. This twist on traditional sour ales is perfect for pickle enthusiasts and offers a one-of-a-kind sipping experience that is delightfully and deliciously unexpected.
This Pickletini is a fun, savory twist on the classic martini. It combines the crisp, briny flavor of pickle juice with the smoothness of vodka. Garnished with a peppadew, this cocktail offers a unique, tangy kick that’s perfect for pickle lovers or anyone looking for a refreshing, bold drink.
Pizza
Pizza is known to act as an open canvas for a variety of flavors. It can offer great opportunities to try a variety of weird topping combinations that just might become new favorites, including some pickle-forward topping selections.
The Big Lug Canteen is known for their bold and flavorful pizza creations, but their new pickley pizza is an eccentric style that appeals to many pickle lovers. The Tommy is topped with dill pickles, ranch, mozzarella, asiago, and parmesan cheese. The combination of tangy pickles and creamy ranch adds an exciting layer of flavor that makes it the perfect pizza experience for anyone looking for a creative spin on the traditional pizza.
Rockstar Pizza is also known for showcasing their pickle-centric pizzas like the Big Mac Daddy and the Nashville Hot Chicken. In both of these pizzas, the pickle might not be the main star, but provides a refreshing crunch to balance the boldness of flavors or their respective dishes, making them a must-try on our pickled list.
The Big Mac Daddy has a base of their signature special sauce, beef and onions and is topped with a layer of crispy pickles and fresh lettuce after baking. The pizza is also served on a sesame seed-crusted dough that captures all of the flavors of the fast food favorite.
The Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza is a fiery and flavor-packed creation that brings the bold heat of Nashville-style hot chicken into the world of pizza. Topped with spicy buffalo sauce-coated chicken, crunchy pickles, and a blend of cheeses, this pizza offers a satisfying combination of heat, tang, and savory deliciousness.
Whether you’re a long-time pickle fan or just looking to try something new, there is no shortage of options in the Indy area to satisfy your pickle cravings. As the trend continues to evolve, it’s clear that pickles are here to stay, adding a delightful twist to the culinary scene for years to come.
Elle Rotter is an intern and contributing writer at Indy Maven who loves to cover all things books. Elle is currently a student at Butler University studying journalism and strategic communications. She is also a freelance writer and photographer. You may also see her frequently covering events happening throughout Indianapolis.
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