If you’re wild about bold, savory flavors and crave a bread with a personality all its own, Dill Pickle Bread might just become your new obsession. This unique loaf is packed with chopped dill pickles, fresh dill weed, and sharp cheddar, all nestled in a moist, tender crumb with just the right amount of tang from pickle juice and buttermilk. Whether you’re slicing it for sandwiches, serving it as a snack, or pairing it with a steaming bowl of soup, each bite bursts with a deliciously zippy, herby kick you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of making Dill Pickle Bread at home is how a handful of simple, familiar ingredients combine to create something truly extraordinary. Each addition plays a starring role, from the chewy nuggets of pickle to the aromatic fresh dill, making every slice a flavor-packed treat.
- All-purpose flour: Acts as the sturdy base, creating the perfect crumb for quick, moist breads.
- Baking powder: Gives the loaf its lovely lift and light texture—don’t skimp on this for that tender bite.
- Baking soda: Teams up with the buttermilk and pickle juice to help the bread rise and stay soft.
- Salt: Brings all the savoriness together and highlights the briny goodness from the pickles.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle background warmth and depth that complements the dill beautifully.
- Onion powder: Lends a gentle sweetness and tang, keeping each bite packed with savory layers.
- Finely chopped dill pickles: The star ingredient—don’t be shy! These bits bring crunch and their signature pickle punch.
- Fresh dill (or dried): For that unmistakable, vibrant, herby brightness—use fresh if you can for maximum aroma.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts throughout the loaf for pockets of gooey, savory richness in every slice.
- Egg: Helps bind all the ingredients together, ensuring the bread holds its shape.
- Pickle juice: Adds a tangy zip and keeps the loaf extra moist and flavorful.
- Buttermilk: Contributes tenderness and a subtle tang, working with the leavening to make the perfect crumb.
- Vegetable oil: Adds richness and moisture, keeping the loaf soft for days.
How to Make Dill Pickle Bread
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Preheat
Before you gather everything together, set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. This ensures your Dill Pickle Bread comes out easily later and bakes evenly. Greasing the pan now saves you any last-minute scrambling!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. This not only combines the dry ingredients evenly but also ensures your leaveners are distributed thoroughly for even rising.
Step 3: Add Pickles, Dill, and Cheese
Stir the chopped dill pickles, fresh (or dried) dill, and shredded cheddar cheese into your dry mixture. Tossing these into the flour mixture helps prevent them from sinking while the bread bakes, so you get perfect pockets of pickle and cheese in every slice.
Step 4: Whisk Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, gently whisk together the egg, pickle juice, buttermilk, and vegetable oil. Whisking combines all the liquids and ensures everything is well blended before you bring wet and dry ingredients together.
Step 5: Combine and Mix
Pour the wet mixture over your dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Don’t overmix—once the batter is moistened and comes together, you’re good to go! Overmixing can make the bread tough, and nobody wants that.
Step 6: Bake
Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Pop it in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The aromas filling your kitchen will be enough to make your mouth water!
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes—this helps the loaf settle and release easily. Then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Giving it this cool-down time helps preserve the bread’s structure, making slicing much easier (if you can wait that long!).
How to Serve Dill Pickle Bread
Garnishes
Dill Pickle Bread is wonderful on its own, but you can make it even more irresistible! Try a sprinkle of additional fresh dill over each slice, or a finishing pinch of flaky salt. For true pickle lovers, top each slice with a thin pickle coin or a swirl of softened butter whisked with a little extra dill.
Side Dishes
This loaf pairs brilliantly with hearty soups like tomato or potato chowder, crisp salads full of summer vegetables, or chili. It’s also a star alongside deli sandwiches, adding a tangy flair that ordinary bread just can’t match.
Creative Ways to Present
You can cube Dill Pickle Bread for a savory party snack, make quirky grilled cheese sandwiches, or use thick slices as a base for avocado toast. For brunch, try toasting it and topping with smoked salmon—a game changer!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cool, wrap your Dill Pickle Bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For the freshest flavor, keep it out of drafts and sunlight—refrigerate if you plan to stretch it out to the end of the week.
Freezing
This bread freezes beautifully! Slice it first and wrap slices individually, then freeze in a zip-top bag. This way, you can pull out just what you need and enjoy fresh-tasting Dill Pickle Bread any time a craving strikes.
Reheating
To reheat, simply pop a slice in the toaster, or warm it gently in the oven wrapped in foil. Microwaving works too for a quick fix—just use short bursts so it stays tender and doesn’t dry out.
FAQs
Can I use dried dill if I don’t have fresh?
Absolutely! While fresh dill brings a beautiful, bright aroma, dried dill works well too. Use about two teaspoons of dried in place of the two tablespoons fresh, and you’ll still enjoy plenty of herbal flavor.
What’s the best type of pickle for Dill Pickle Bread?
I love using classic dill pickles for that authentic briny punch, but you can experiment with spicy or garlic pickles if you want to add a twist. Just make sure they’re well-drained before chopping and mixing in for the best texture.
Can I substitute a different cheese?
Certainly! Sharp cheddar gives beautiful color and flavor, but Monterey Jack or a smoked Gouda would also be delicious, each bringing a slightly different character to the loaf.
Is Dill Pickle Bread vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is fully vegetarian. It uses no meat products and the ingredients are friendly for a vegetarian diet, just stick to a cheese made with vegetarian rennet if that’s important to you.
How do I know when the bread is fully baked?
Check by inserting a toothpick into the center after 45 minutes—if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, your Dill Pickle Bread is ready. The top should be nicely golden and the kitchen filled with a savory aroma!
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a savory quick bread that’s quirky, crave-worthy, and has everyone coming back for seconds, Dill Pickle Bread is definitely the recipe to try. It’s easy, fun, and absolutely delicious—so grab those pickles and get baking!
Print
Dill Pickle Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Dill Pickle Bread is a savory quick bread loaded with tangy dill pickles, cheddar cheese, and aromatic dill. It’s a unique and flavorful twist on traditional bread that is perfect for serving alongside soups, chili, or sandwiches.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup finely chopped dill pickles
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill (or 2 teaspoons dried dill)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup pickle juice
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir in the chopped pickles, dill, and cheddar cheese.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, pickle juice, buttermilk, and vegetable oil.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 45–50 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- This savory quick bread pairs perfectly with soups, chili, or sandwiches.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
