Joybuy Insights

Pickles Buying Guide: Choose Gherkins, Pickled Vegetables and International Favourites with Confidence

Whether you want burger gherkins for a weekend barbecue, cornichons for a sharing board or Chinese pickled vegetables for rice and noodles, the right jar depends on more than its front label. Texture, drained weight, salt content, allergens and storage instructions can make a noticeable difference once the pack reaches your kitchen.

Common Pickle Buying Pitfalls

1. Confusing total weight with usable quantity

A jar’s headline weight includes the vinegar or brine. The drained weight tells you how much food you actually receive. This matters when comparing a 350g jar with a larger-looking pack or when buying pickles for a party, café or food-service setting.

For example, Morrisons Cornichons with Herbs 350g have a stated drained weight of 190g. A large jar may therefore provide less usable product than expected if much of its weight is liquid.

2. Assuming every pickle has the same flavour profile

“Pickles” can mean sharply vinegary gherkins, mildly sweet pickle bites, oil-based mixed pickle or salty fermented-style vegetables. A classic gherkin may suit a burger, while spicy pickles or Chinese pickled vegetables are often designed to accompany porridge, noodles, rice or steamed buns.

Check the ingredient list for vinegar, chilli, oil, mustard, garlic, sesame, soy and added sugar rather than relying only on terms such as “classic” or “traditional”.

3. Overlooking allergens and dietary details

Many gherkins are suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets, but this should be confirmed on the product label. Potential allergens across different pickles include mustard, celery, sulphites, soya, wheat and sesame. Some products also contain sweeteners or flavour enhancers.

If you are buying for guests, read the full packaging information every time. Product recipes and labelling can change, and the pack supplied should take priority.

Core Specifications to Check Before Buying Pickles

Pack size and format

Choose the format according to how you plan to serve it:

  • Whole gherkins are flexible for slicing, chopping or serving alongside sandwiches.
  • Burger gherkins are already sliced, reducing preparation for burgers, wraps and hot dogs.
  • Cornichons are smaller, sharper and convenient for salads, appetiser boards and snacks.
  • Pickle bites offer individual portions for packed lunches, picnics and entertaining.
  • Twin packs and larger jars can suit households that use pickles frequently or food-service buyers.

Also check whether the stated quantity is total weight or drained weight.

Flavour, texture and preparation

For a crisp texture, look for descriptions such as whole, crinkle-cut or firm, but treat marketing language as a guide rather than a guarantee. Storage also affects texture. Some opened jars need refrigeration and should remain covered by brine; portioned ready-to-eat pickles may need to be consumed immediately after opening.

Pickled vegetables in oil can have a richer mouthfeel than vinegar-brined gherkins. Chinese pickled mustard greens, cucumber and mixed vegetables may be ready to eat but can also be chopped into stir-fries, noodle dishes or rice toppings.

Ingredients, allergens and salt

Pickled foods can vary considerably in salt, sugar and oil. For reference, the supplied product information lists 0.8g salt per 100g for Morrisons Whole Gherkins, while Honor Pickle Vegetable lists 7.0g salt per 100g. These figures are not directly equivalent unless the same serving basis is used, so check the nutrition panel and portion size.

Look for:

  • The vegetable listed first and its percentage where provided.
  • Allergen declarations in bold or separate statements.
  • Whether the recipe contains sulphites, mustard, celery, soya, wheat or sesame.
  • Oil content in mixed pickle or Chinese-style products.
  • Sweeteners, preservatives and flavour enhancers if these affect your preferences.

Our Top Recommendations by Shopper Profile

MATCH FOR: Budget-Conscious Starters
Morrisons Whole Gherkins 680g

Morrisons Whole Gherkins 680g

Why This Fits Their Persona: A sizeable jar gives new pickle buyers flexibility for sandwiches, salads, burgers and serving plates without committing to a specialised flavour profile.

How It Avoids the Trap

The listing states the 680g pack size, vegan suitability and storage instruction to refrigerate after opening and use within 7 days.

Key Advantage & Pros

Whole gherkins; no artificial colours or flavours stated; contains celery, which is clearly identified in the supplied information.

MATCH FOR: Premium Quality Seekers
Morrisons Cornichons with Herbs 350g

Morrisons Cornichons with Herbs 350g

Why This Fits Their Persona: Shoppers who prefer a smaller gherkin with herb and dill notes can use this format for salads, sandwiches, appetiser boards or snacking.

How It Avoids the Trap

The product information provides a 190g drained weight, helping you assess the usable quantity rather than judging the jar by total weight alone.

Key Advantage & Pros

Includes vinegar, spices and dill; contains mustard; listed at 34 kcal per 100g in the supplied nutrition information.

MATCH FOR: Specific Use-Case/Heavy Users
Mrs Elswood Burger Gherkins 670g

Mrs Elswood Burger Gherkins 670g

Why This Fits Their Persona: Pre-sliced burger gherkins are practical for barbecues, family gatherings, sandwich preparation and food-service use where consistent portions matter.

How It Avoids the Trap

The product is explicitly sliced for burgers and supplied as 6 catering-sized jars, making the intended serving format and quantity clear.

Key Advantage & Pros

Pre-sliced gherkins; suitable for burgers, wraps, salads and platters; contains sulphites.

MATCH FOR: Ready-to-Eat Snack Planners
Mrs Elswood Classic Pickle Bites 50g

Mrs Elswood Classic Pickle Bites 50g

Why This Fits Their Persona: Individual 50g portions work well for packed lunches, picnics, entertaining and households that want ready-to-eat pickles without opening a large jar.

How It Avoids the Trap

The portioned format removes the need to estimate servings from a jar; the listing also advises consuming an opened pack immediately.

Key Advantage & Pros

Ready to eat; no known allergens stated in the supplied description; available as 12 x 50g portions.

Looking for More Options?

We have compiled a complete, real-time list of products that fully satisfy these strict selection criteria and UK safety regulations.

International Pickled Vegetables for Everyday Meals

For a different style of pickle, consider products designed around Asian meals:

  • Peng Sheng Pickled Cucumber 200g contains soya and wheat, and is suggested with porridge, rice or noodles.
  • Honor Pickle Vegetable 168g ×2 uses mustard greens and is positioned as a side dish or cooking ingredient. Its supplied information lists soya and a high salt value of 7.0g per 100g.
  • LIUBIJU Cucumber in oil 220g is ready to eat and includes soya, wheat and sesame, with serving suggestions including porridge and cold appetisers.
  • Shan Pickle Mix 300gm combines mango, carrot, lemon and green chilli with spices for shoppers seeking a mixed pickle.
  • Chuannan Pickled Vegetables 335g is intended for Chinese cooking and includes mustard greens roots, radish, cowpeas, chilli and oil.
  • Fan Sao Guang Appetizing Pickles 280g offers spicy assorted vegetables, including mushrooms, cowpea, leaf mustard and wood ear fungus. The supplied information identifies soya, sesame and mustard, with a possible peanut cross-contact warning.

Read the preparation guidance carefully: “ready to eat” means no cooking is required, but some products are also useful as ingredients in stir-fries, noodle dishes or rice-based meals.

Storage and Serving Checklist

  1. Check the seal, lid and packaging before opening. Do not use a jar with a raised safety button, damage, bloating or an unusual odour.
  2. Follow the product-specific storage instructions. Some unopened products can stay in a cool, dry cupboard, while opened jars may require refrigeration.
  3. Keep gherkins submerged in brine where the label advises this.
  4. Use a clean utensil to reduce contamination.
  5. Check the stated best-before information and consume opened products within the advised period.
  6. Serve pickles with burgers, sandwiches, salads, cheese boards, grilled foods, rice, noodles or porridge according to the flavour and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pickles and gherkins the same thing?

A gherkin is a small cucumber, while “pickles” is a broader term covering gherkins, pickled cucumber, mustard greens, mixed vegetables and other preserved foods. Gherkins are commonly served with burgers and sandwiches; international pickles may be designed for rice, noodles or traditional meals.

Do pickles need to be refrigerated?

It depends on the product. Many unopened jars can be stored in a cool, dry place, but opened products often require refrigeration. Always follow the label. For example, the supplied information for Morrisons Whole Gherkins advises refrigeration after opening and use within 7 days, while other products give different instructions.

Are pickles suitable for vegans?

Some gherkins are labelled suitable for vegans, including Morrisons Whole Gherkins according to the supplied product information. However, not every pickle has the same recipe. Check the ingredients and allergen statement for each product, particularly when buying Chinese pickled vegetables, spicy pickles or mixed pickle containing sauces and seasonings.