The 7 Cleanest Pickle Brands Made With High-Quality Ingredients

Last summer, I embarked on a pickle-tasting adventure that forever changed my sandwich game.

Store-bought pickles aren’t created equal – many contain artificial preservatives, dyes, and excessive sodium that can turn a healthy snack into a questionable choice.

For pickle lovers seeking cleaner options, several brands stand out for their commitment to high-quality, simple ingredients.

These eight pickle brands have mastered the art of creating delicious, crunchy pickles without the chemical additives.

1. Bubbies: Old-World Fermentation Meets Modern Standards

The first time I tasted Bubbies pickles at a farmers market, I nearly did a happy dance right there between the tomato stand and honey booth. These beauties are naturally fermented in salt brine without vinegar, creating a probiotic-rich pickle that’s actually good for your gut!

Family-owned since 1982, Bubbies uses simple ingredients: cucumbers, artesian well water, salt, garlic, and spices. No preservatives, no artificial colors, no funny business. Their pickles develop that signature tangy flavor through time-honored fermentation methods rather than shortcuts.

My favorite part? That satisfying “pop” when you open the jar – a sign of proper fermentation. The crisp crunch and complex flavor profile make these pickles worth hunting down in the refrigerated section of your natural foods store.

2. Grillo’s Pickles: From Pushcart To Premium Pickle Powerhouse

Would you believe Grillo’s began with a guy selling pickles from a wooden cart using his Italian grandfather’s 100-year-old recipe? That’s exactly how this now-beloved brand started! I discovered them at a friend’s barbecue and immediately needed to know what made these pickles so darn crunchy.

The secret lies in their simplicity: fresh cucumbers, pure water, distilled white vinegar, salt, dill, garlic, grape leaves, and nothing else. Those grape leaves aren’t just for show—they contain natural tannins that help maintain that signature crunch.

Grillo’s keeps their pickles cold from production to store, never heat-processing or adding preservatives. This refrigerated pickle stays fresh naturally, maintaining vibrant flavor that tastes homemade. They’ve expanded beyond dills to spears, chips, and even spicy options without compromising their clean ingredient standards.

3. Farmhouse Culture: Gut-Friendly Fermented Goodness

“These aren’t your average pickles,” I told my skeptical husband as I placed Farmhouse Culture’s kraut-style pickles on our charcuterie board. One bite later, he was converted! Farmhouse Culture takes fermentation seriously, creating living foods packed with beneficial bacteria.

Founded by fermentation expert Kathryn Lukas, this brand focuses on traditional preservation methods that enhance both flavor and nutrition. Their cucumber pickles ferment in oak barrels with nothing but salt, water, and spices—no vinegar needed. The natural lactic acid bacteria do all the work, creating that distinctive tangy flavor.

Each batch contains billions of probiotics that support digestive health. I appreciate their commitment to organic ingredients and sustainable farming practices. These pickles have a complex, earthy flavor profile with notes of garlic and dill that elevate any sandwich or burger to gourmet status.

4. Cleveland Pickle Co.: Small-Batch Craftsmanship With Midwestern Charm

During a road trip through Ohio, I stumbled upon Cleveland Pickle Co.’s farmers market stand and brought home three jars that barely survived the journey—we kept opening them for roadside snacks! This small-batch operation handcrafts every pickle with meticulous attention to detail.

Founded by pickle enthusiasts who turned their passion into a business, Cleveland Pickle Co. sources locally grown cucumbers whenever possible. Their brine recipe balances vinegar, filtered water, sea salt, and fresh herbs without artificial preservatives or flavors. The garlic dill variety contains actual garlic cloves you can see floating in the jar!

What makes them special is their perfect texture—never too soft or too crunchy. They offer creative seasonal varieties like Spicy Maple and Rosemary Gin that expand pickle possibilities beyond the usual dill. Each small batch ensures quality control and freshness you can taste.

5. McClure’s: Family Recipe Elevated To Pickle Perfection

“Pass the McClure’s!” has become a dinner-time catchphrase in my house since discovering these Detroit-born beauties. Using a recipe passed down from Great-Grandmother Lala, the McClure brothers transformed family tradition into pickle greatness without compromising quality.

Each jar contains locally sourced cucumbers when in season, along with fresh dill, garlic, and spices you can actually see in the brine. They hand-pack each jar and use only natural ingredients: cucumbers, water, vinegar, salt, dill, garlic, and spices. No artificial colors, no preservatives, no shortcuts.

McClure’s distinctive crunch comes from using the freshest cucumbers and their special brining technique. Beyond their famous garlic dill pickles, they’ve created a cult following for their spicy variety that packs genuine heat from cayenne and habanero peppers. Their pickle-infused potato chips and Bloody Mary mix prove their flavor mastery extends beyond the jar.

6. Sams: No-Nonsense Pickles With Farm-To-Jar Freshness

“These taste just like my grandmother’s!” I exclaimed after trying Sams pickles at a friend’s backyard barbecue. Turns out, that’s exactly what Sams aims for—pickles that taste homemade because they practically are.

This family-owned operation began on a small farm and maintains its agricultural roots by growing many of their own cucumbers. Their pickle-making process starts within hours of harvest, preserving peak freshness and crunch. The ingredient list reads like a recipe card from your grandmother’s kitchen: cucumbers, water, vinegar, salt, dill, garlic, and spices.

Sams refuses to use artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors, relying instead on traditional preservation methods. Their refrigerated pickles maintain living enzymes and vibrant flavor that shelf-stable varieties can’t match. I love their half-sour variety that balances tanginess with cucumber freshness. These pickles have that authentic farmhouse taste that makes you feel like you’re eating something made with care.

7. Wonky Pickles: Sustainable Snacking With Imperfect Produce

My sustainable food journey led me to Wonky Pickles, and I’ve never looked back! This innovative company transforms “ugly” cucumbers—those deemed too curved, bumpy, or imperfect for grocery stores—into absolutely delicious pickles.

Founded by a former chef with a passion for reducing food waste, Wonky Pickles diverts thousands of pounds of perfectly good cucumbers from landfills each year. Their clean ingredient list features these rescued cucumbers, filtered water, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and organic spices. No artificial preservatives, no unnecessary additives.

Despite their name, there’s nothing wonky about their flavor! Their signature garlic dill variety offers the perfect balance of tang, crunch, and herb notes. I particularly love their commitment to sustainability—from ingredients to their recyclable packaging. By embracing imperfection, they’ve created a perfectly delicious pickle with environmental benefits that make each crunchy bite even more satisfying.