Gherkin vs. pickle is quite a confusing topic to understand for common folks. Both gherkin and pickle are considered the same or mistaken for each other. To clear all the doubts related to this topic will be cleared from this gherkin vs. pickle article.
When it comes to their size and taste, both gherkin and pickle are widely separated. The former is small in size as it is made from baby cucumbers, whereas the latter is made from different sizes of cucumbers. Cucumber pickle includes dwarf-sized pickle as well as giant-sized cucumber.
The gherkins are much crispier and crunchier than the cucumber pickles when it comes to taste. They might taste bitter when they are raw. Some of the pickles are quite acidic in nature, whereas the other cucumber pickles are enriched with sweet flavors.
Although there are few similarities between these two food elements, they both share the same nutritional profile and the fusion of spices and herbs.
In this article, I have mentioned all the points of differences and similarities between the gherkin and a pickle. But before going ahead, let us take a little hint about how they differ from the difference table mentioned below.
Gherkin Vs. Pickle | Difference Table
| Basis Of Difference | Gherkin | Pickle |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Gherkin is small in size as it is made from baby cucumbers. | Cucumber pickles are made from different sizes of cucumbers. Cucumber pickle includes dwarf-sized pickle as well as giant-sized cucumber. |
| Shape | You will rarely find a cut or sliced gherkin before pickling. | They also can be pickled as a whole, but they are available in different shapes, such as spears, slices, rounds, and chips. |
| Texture | The outer skin of the gherkins is quite bumpier. | Cucumber pickle has a crispy texture as well as a firm texture. |
| Taste | The gherkins are much crispier and crunchier than the cucumber pickles when it comes to taste. They might taste bitter when they are raw. | Some of the pickles are quite acidic in nature, whereas the other cucumber pickles are enriched with sweet flavors. |
| Uses | Gherkins are a suitable element that can easily be added to a cheese platter or charcuterie board. | You can easily combine the sliced form of cucumber pickles over the sandwiches as well as the burgers. Chopped forms of cucumber pickles are popularly used with mayo-based salads such as potato and egg salad. |
| Flavors | Gherkins are enriched with different flavors. These include sour, salty, sweet, spicy, and garlicky flavors. | Cucumber pickles are loaded with strong and biting flavors. |
| Types | Cornichons and gherkins are the types of pickled gherkins. | Kosher dill pickles, half-sour pickles, and bread and butter pickles are the types of pickles. |
What Is Gherkin?
Gherkin is made from baby cucumber, thus you will always find it in small sizes. The usual length of the gherkin ranges from about 1 to 3 inches. However, it is not a surprise if you find an extra small or extra large gherkin in your basket.
You will rarely find a cut or sliced gherkin before pickling. Gherkin is made by using a well-defined kind of pickling brine. You can easily guess the mouth-watering flavors of the gherkin from them looking upon the jar in which it is kept.
Gherkin has a strong dill flavor with a kick of garlic in the brine. Moreover, gherkin also has a sweetness as the pickling liquid has a bit of sugar. Thus, when it comes to the flavors and taste of the gherkin, it is a well-defined combination of sweet as well as sour taste.
As the gherkins are made from small-sized cucumbers, the texture of the gherkins has an extra crunch in each bite. The thin skin of these small cucumbers adds extra flavor.
The typical use of consuming gherkins is to munch and enjoy them as a whole. You can easily munch and enjoy them in one bite as a whole, as they are quite smaller in size. Gherkins are a suitable element that can easily be added to a cheese platter or charcuterie board.
Gherkin has a crunchy texture and strong, sharp flavor, which make it an apt option to be enjoyed with creamy cheeses and meats. You can just enjoy the gherkins by getting them straight out of the jars.
The different kinds of pickled gherkins are the gherkins as well as cornichons. As I had already mentioned, gherkins are small-sized cucumbers loaded with different flavors of garlic and dill and are sweetened with brine.
The other type of pickled gherkin is cornichons, also known as French gherkins. These pickled gherkins are made from specific cucumber species such as fin de Meaux. Traditionally, cornichons are prepared with tarragon in the brine and are laden with different flavors.
What is Pickle?
When it comes to the shape and the sizes of the cucumber pickle, it is not limited to a certain shape. You can make cucumber pickles with any size of a cucumber.
Cucumber pickle includes dwarf-sized pickle as well as giant-sized cucumber. They also can be pickled as a whole, but they are available in different shapes, such as spears, slices, rounds, and chips.
Cucumber pickles include a wide range of cucumbers. Some of them are quite acidic in nature, whereas the other cucumbers are enriched with sweet flavors. The basic cucumber pickles include fragments that are derived from bay leaves, chiles, and black peppercorns.
Moreover, the variety of sizes of cucumbers greatly affects the texture and taste of the pickle. The large-size cucumber has softer flesh and tougher skin when they are pickled.
You can easily combine the sliced form of cucumber pickles over the sandwiches as well as the burgers. Chopped forms of cucumber pickles are popularly used with mayo-based salads such as potato and egg salad.
The typical Jewish deli pickles are known as kosher dill. This type of cucumber pickle is enriched with sufficient fresh dill and garlic in the minced form. It has a tangy sour taste.
Another type of pickled cucumber is half-sour pickles that quite resemble kosher dill pickles. It is laden with similar ingredients and has the same flavors as the former. The difference between these two is the time period they spend in the brine.
The former is yellowed as they are kept in the brine solution for a longer period, whereas the latter is pulled out from the brine solution when they are green in color. The bread and butter type of pickled cucumber is quite interesting. This type of pickled cucumber is loaded with much more interesting flavors.
This also includes sliced onions, mustard seeds, and coriander seeds, which makes it more flavorful. These pickles are laden with more sweetness as compared to the other types of cucumber pickles. It has plenty of sweetness with a sour taste and flavors.
Gherkin Vs. Pickle | Difference Between The Two
1. Difference Of Size And Shape
Gherkin is made from baby cucumber; thus, you will always find it in small sizes. The usual length of the gherkin ranges from about 1 to 3 inches. However, it is not a surprise if you find an extra small or extra large gherkin in your basket.
You will rarely find a cut or sliced gherkin before pickling. On the other hand, cucumber pickles are not limited to the size of the cucumber. You can make cucumber pickles with any size of a cucumber.
Cucumber pickle includes dwarf-sized pickle as well as giant-sized cucumber. They also can be pickled as a whole, but they are available in different shapes, such as spears, slices, rounds, and chips.
2. Texture And Taste
Gherkin is made by using a well-defined kind of pickling brine. You can easily guess the mouth-watering flavors of the gherkin from them looking upon the jar in which it is kept. Gherkin has a strong dill flavor with a kick of garlic in the brine.
Moreover, gherkin also has a sweetness as the pickling liquid has a bit of sugar. Thus, when it comes to the flavors and taste of the gherkin, it is a well-defined combination of sweet as well as sour taste.
As the gherkins are made from small-sized cucumbers, the texture of the gherkins has an extra crunch in each bite. The thin skin of these small cucumbers adds extra flavor.
On the other hand, cucumber pickles include a wide range of cucumbers. Some of them are quite acidic in nature, whereas the other cucumbers are enriched with sweet flavors. The basic cucumber pickles include fragments that are derived from bay leaves, chiles, and black peppercorns.
Moreover, the variety of sizes of cucumbers greatly affects the texture and taste of the pickle. The large-size cucumber has softer flesh and tougher skin when they are pickled.
3. Uses
The typical use of consuming gherkins is to munch and enjoy them as a whole. You can easily munch and enjoy them in one bite as a whole, as they are quite smaller in size. Gherkins are a suitable element that can easily be added to a cheese platter or charcuterie board.
Gherkin has a crunchy texture and strong, sharp flavor, which make it an apt option to be enjoyed with creamy cheeses and meats. You can just enjoy the gherkins by getting them straight out of the jars.
On the other hand, you can easily combine the sliced form of cucumber pickles over the sandwiches as well as the burgers. Chopped forms of cucumber pickles are popularly used with mayo-based salads such as potato and egg salad.
4. Different Kinds
The different kinds of pickled gherkins are the gherkins as well as cornichons. As I mentioned, gherkins are small-sized cucumbers loaded with different flavors of garlic and dill and are sweetened with brine.
The other type of pickled gherkin is cornichons, also known as French gherkins. These pickled gherkins are made from specific cucumber species such as fin de Meaux. Traditionally, cornichons are prepared with tarragon in the brine and are laden with different flavors.
On the other hand, the typical Jewish deli pickles are known as kosher dill. This type of cucumber pickle is enriched with sufficient fresh dill and garlic in the minced form. It has a tangy sour taste.
Another type of pickled cucumber is half-sour pickles that quite resemble kosher dill pickles. It is laden with similar ingredients and has the same flavors as the former. The difference between these two is the time period they spend in the brine.
The former is yellowed as they are kept in the brine solution for a longer period, whereas the latter is pulled out from the brine solution when they are green in color. The bread and butter type of pickled cucumber is quite interesting. This type of pickled cucumber is loaded with much more interesting flavors.
This also includes sliced onions, mustard seeds, and coriander seeds, which makes it more flavorful. These pickles are laden with more sweetness as compared to the other types of cucumber pickles. It has plenty of sweetness with a sour taste and flavors.
Gherkin Vs. Pickle | Similarities Between The Two
As we get familiar with the differences between the gherkin and cucumber pickle, now let us know about the similarities between the two.
- Both gherkins, as well as pickles are prepared from the same basic ingredient, which is cucumber.
- When it comes to nutritional profiles, they both share some similar nutrients. Gherkin, as well as cucumber pickles, have a low content of saturated fat and cholesterol but are enriched with a high quantity of sodium. Gherkins are also laden with different nutrients such as potassium, vitamin A, and K.
- Both gherkins and pickles can be infused with different spices as well as herbs.
Gherkin Vs. Pickle | Which One Is Healthier?
Although both the gherkin as well as cucumber pickles have a low content of saturated fat and cholesterol but are enriched with a high quantity of sodium. Gherkins are also laden with different nutrients such as potassium, vitamin A, and K.
On the other hand, pickled cucumbers have an abundance of sugar content which might not be good for a diabetic person. Thus, gherkins are much healthier than cucumber pickles.
Gherkin Vs. Pickle | Which One Is Versatile?
Pickled cucumbers are more versatile as compared to gherkins. Gherkin is made from baby cucumber, thus you will always find it in small sizes. The usual length of the gherkin ranges from about 1 to 3 inches. You will only find a cut or sliced gherkin after pickling.
On the other hand, cucumber pickles are not limited to the size of the cucumber. You can make cucumber pickles with any size of a cucumber. Cucumber pickle includes dwarf-sized pickle as well as giant-sized cucumber.
They also can be pickled as a whole, but they are available in different shapes, such as spears, slices, rounds, and chips. Moreover, you can enjoy gherkins with cream-based food items and pickled cucumber with burgers, sandwiches, and salads.
Top Recipes To Make With Gherkin
1. Cucumber and Gherkin Salad
Looking for a healthy option? Try this easy-to-prepare cucumber and gherkin salad from the comfort of your home. You can prepare this delicious salad with just 5-6 ingredients that are easily available in your kitchen.
All you need is salad leaves, cucumbers, gherkins, red onions, cherry tomatoes, and mint leaves. You can prepare this recipe in just 20 minutes.
2. Slow Cooker Gherkin Soup
This slow cooker gherkin soup is quite a time taking, but the richness and the taste you will get after it once cooked is worth every second you invested in this recipe. All you need is seven ingredients.
3. Gherkin and caramelized onion dip
Another gem to the list of top recipes you can prepare with gherkin is this gherkin and caramelized onion dip. You can prepare this recipe in less than an hour. You can prepare this recipe with just seven ingredients.
4. Smoked Salmon And Pickled Gherkin Salad
You can prepare this smoked salmon and pickled gherkin salad in just 10 minutes and moreover with just six ingredients. This recipe is a great combination of salt and honey flavors.
5. Sweet gherkin Pimento Cheese Spread
Looking for an easy and simple recipe that is also a delicious one? Then you must try this recipe of sweet gherkin pimento cheese spread.
You can prepare this scrumptious creamy treat in just 20 m minutes. You can use this cheese spread over cookies, burgers, and sandwiches.
Top Recipes To Make With Pickle
1. Sweet Cucumber Pickles
Prepare this recipe of sweet cucumber pickles which is quite basic yet tastes heavenly. You can prepare this recipe in less than an hour with just a few ingredients. It is loaded with the richness of cucumbers and onions.
2. Cucumber pickles and red onions
Prepare sweet pickles with the recipe for cucumber pickles and red onions. You can enjoy these pickles with burgers as well as sandwiches. You can also munch and enjoy them as snacks. It will take only one hour to prepare this recipe.
3. Macaroni salad
Prepare this macaroni salad recipe with just a few food elements in just half an hour. This food can be served as an appetizer as well as a snack at dinner or evening. This creamy recipe is packed with tomatoes, cucumber, macaroni, rosemary, and other ingredients.
4. Irish crab cake recipe
Want to munch on something decadent this holiday season? Try this Irish crab cake recipe that can be prepared in less than an hour. Moreover, if you are among the ones who count the calories, then this is the ideal choice for you. It has about 20 calories and thus makes it a healthy option.
5. Eight ounces Salad Recipe
Prepare this recipe of eight ounces of salad in just 15 minutes. This recipe is laden with the goodness of lettuce, cucumbers, and flaxseed oil.
Gherkin Vs. Pickle | Which One Is Better?
Pickled cucumbers are available in different shapes and sizes. They also can be pickled as a whole, but they are available in different shapes, such as spears, slices, rounds, and chips.
On the contrary, the gherkins are consumed as a whole and are not cut or sliced before pickling. Thus, pickled cucumbers are much better than gherkins.
Can We Substitute Gherkin For Pickles?
Yes, you can easily substitute cucumber pickles with gherkins. In addition, picked vegetables are a good replacement for cornichons as both have a crispy texture and a slightly vinegary flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the origin of the name gherkin?
The gherkin originated from the Dutch word named gurken. It refers to miniature pickled cucumbers in Dutch. The natives of Germany called gherkin, gurken.
Can we use water instead of vinegar in the pickling process?
Yes, you can substitute vinegar with water to some extent. But it is better to use vinegar as it helps the pickles stay much longer.
What kind of vinegar should we use to prepare pickle gherkins?
Well, you can use any kind of vinegar. But if you want to enhance the taste of gherkins, I suggest you should go for either malt, white wine, or cider vinegar for the pickling process.
Can we substitute gherkin for pickles?
Yes, you can easily substitute cucumber pickles with gherkins. In addition, picked vegetables are a good replacement for cornichons as both have a crispy texture and a slightly vinegary flavor.
What are the uses of pickled cucumbers?
You can easily combine the sliced form of cucumber pickles over the sandwiches as well as the burgers. Chopped forms of cucumber pickles are popularly used with mayo-based salads such as potato and egg salad.
Conclusion
I hope all your doubts about gherkins and pickles are cleared now. If I need to remember something to mention, let me know in the comments. All kinds of opinions are welcomed. I’ll see you another time.
Remember to check our website if you want to learn more recipes and need clarification related to the two food items. Keep discovering new things to read on our website. Thanks for reading, and take care!
