How to Make Ranch Pickles, the Snack Trend That's Taking Over TikTok

Another week on TikTok promises another clever food combination. First, it was pancake cereal, the micro flapjacks we drizzled in syrup and tossed into our oat milk. Next, we scrolled upon barbecued corn "ribs," the bite-sized corn pieces that curl up when cooking. And after carrot bacon and ice cream bread collected millions of views on the platform, it was quite clear: People are spending tons of time experimenting in the kitchen. Maybe home cooks are just trying to break up the pandemic monotony. Or maybe creators are mashing up foods for the sole purpose of going viral. Either way, we can't wait to see what air-fried, beer-battered, chocolate-covered treats TikTok chefs will upload next.

This week's kitchen concoction? Ranch pickles, the zesty spin on our go-to refreshing snack.

The trend comes to us from Jen Curley, aka @snackqween on TikTok. Her username is fitting, since the food connoisseur has filmed herself trying everything from cream cheese-dipped strawberries to Flamin’ Hot Cheetos wrapped in string cheese. Playing to Curley’s adventurous food spirit, followers dream up eclectic snack combinations and challenge the TikTok star to try them on camera. Curley, who has over 500K subscribers on the video app, rarely disappoints (even when one commenter requested she try raw broccoli smothered in peanut butter).

Her now-viral idea of soaking pickles in ranch seemed strange at first, but the more we think about it, we’re sure our salt cravings will embrace these tangy flavor bombs with open arms. Clearly, TikTok agrees.

Before you worry about slicing up cucumbers or boiling your own brine, fear not: Curley says the only two ingredients you need are a store-bought jar of dill pickles and a packet of ranch seasoning. Yes, it's really that simple to bring together this trending fridge staple. Here’s the full recipe, according to Curley’s popular clip:

1. Empty an entire packet of ranch seasoning into a jar of pickles (Curley uses kosher dill). One commenter recommends using the spear or bread and butter variety so the pickles will absorb more of the ranch flavor.
2. Use a fork to push the seasoning down into the jar.
3. Seal the lid tightly and shake, shake, shake.
4. Pop the jar into the fridge and leave it to soak overnight (or longer).
5. The pickle juice should look opaque white when it’s ready to be tasted.
6. Crack open your ranch pickles and crunch to your heart’s desire.

Now, the most important question: How do they taste? If, like us, you’re into the zippy, vinegary taste of pickles to begin with, you’ll probably enjoy the savory kick the ranch provides. (And for even more of a kick, some TikTok users recommend reaching for spicy ranch seasoning when you whip up your next batch of ranch pickles.)

In the words of PureWow’s Senior Food Editor, Katherine Gillen, “Would I make ranch pickles at home? No. But has ranch seasoning ever made something taste worse? Also no. The flavor combination—briny pickles paired with garlic and herbs—makes a lot of sense. TikTok may be onto something here.”