Sweet and Spicy Butter Pickles

The Irresistible Allure of Sweet & Spicy Butter Pickles

There’s something utterly seductive about the interplay of sweet and spicy—two flavor profiles that, when balanced just right, create a culinary harmony that’s hard to resist. For me, that perfect balance comes in the form of sweet and spicy butter pickles. These little jars of joy are my not-so-guilty pleasure – bold, complex, and endlessly satisfying.

What sets them apart is a brine infused with sugar and a bold kick of horseradish. The result? A pickle that’s not too sweet, not too hot, and entirely customizable to your own tastes. Sweeter than a classic dill, yes—but far more nuanced than your typical sweet pickle. The horseradish doesn’t just add heat, it delivers a peppery brightness that cuts through the sweetness with the precision of a well-placed culinary counterpunch.

A Bite of History

While I call mine sweet and spicy butter pickles, these tangy treasures were originally christened “bread and butter pickles.” Intriguingly, there’s no bread or butter in the recipe. The name dates back nearly a century, when Illinois cucumber farmers Omar and Cora Fanning began selling their pickles commercially. They became so popular and profitable that they quite literally became the Fannings’ “bread and butter”.

Over time, variations have evolved, and the sweet-spicy rendition has become a modern classic in its own right. Whether you’re layering them on a charcuterie board, tucking them into a gourmet burger, or enjoying them straight from the jar (no judgment here), these pickles are proof that sometimes, the best flavors come from the simplest traditions—with a fiery twist.

How We Make Them

Customize The Spicy Heat

I use prepared horseradish because it is easy, predictable and readily available. When using Inglehoffers extra hot horse radish choose from these options:

• Cry Baby, Cry: Divide the jar between the two quarts of pickles, liquid and all
• Clearing the Sinuses: 5 tablespoons will do the job
• Warmer Than Most: A quarter cup is not enough for died-in-the-wool pepperheads, but too much for others
• Goldilocks: 3 tablespoons is enough to balance the sweetness
• Intrepid Explorer: 2 tablespoons leaves a hint of heat
• The Pretender: Add one tablespoon just to say you did!

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