A Unique Twist: Homemade Dill Pickle Pizza with Bacon and Garlic Cream Sauce

July 9, 2023
Gianna Ferrini

“Do you like pickles, or hate them?” is a question as old as time.

I honestly think that this may be one of the most controversial food opinions in the game, just because I find people’s opinions to be so perfectly split.

Personally, I love pickles. I love them so much in fact that I’ve been known to eat whole dill pickles straight out of the jar as a low calorie snack. There’s just something about the tartness of the pickles that me and my family can’t get enough of. In fact, my sister has been known to drink the dill pickle juice straight out of the jar (too far for me, TBH).

But naturally, when I found out that dill pickle pizza was a thing, I was a tad skeptical. Pizza and pickles are two of my favorite foods, but I couldn’t for the life of me imagine how they would taste once combined.

Plus, I had no idea what sauce to use, if any, on this controversial pizza (some may say more controversial than pineapple on pizza).

I had seen that video of a pickle pizza from Rhino’s Pizzeria in Webster, New York had gone viral among pickle people back in 2018, and that gave me an idea.

I would perfect my very own great recipe and put this debate to the test.

The result?

It was a win.

It was so much of a win, in fact, that this is now one of my go to pizza toppings when I’m ordering out, and making this at home.

And today, I’m going to show you how to do this for yourself.

Here’s the recipe for the best pickle pizza you will ever eat.

Making The Sauce

There are a few different ways that you can make the sauce for your Dill Pickle Pizza.

One way, the most common way, is by using a white sauce. But not just any old white sauce, a garlic cream sauce.

That’s right, we don’t use mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch dressing, or even Alfredo sauce on this pizza. Just a regular old creamy garlic sauce that’s so beyond easy to make.

You can check out our recipe for our famous garlic cream sauce, or if you want something a bit more rustic, check out this authentic spicy garlic pizza sauce recipe, straight from Italy.

If a white pizza sauce isn’t for you, and it isn’t for everyone, you can try making this pizza with a red pizza sauce, by blending San Marzano tomatoes with a bit of salt, pepper, and oregano. My one suggestion with this, however, is to use ⅔ sharp cheddar cheese and ⅓ mozzarella cheese, flipping the cheese ratios that are required to make this pizza.

The cheddar cheese in this instance will contrast nicely with the red sauce, giving you that savory sense of umami that you’d be getting from the garlic cream sauce.

Making the Dough

Pickle Pizza is so versatile that anything goes when it comes to pizza dough.

For starters, Pickle Pizza is just as tasty as ever if you use a store-bought dough rather than a homemade pizza dough. Plus, it’s way easier to make, too.

You can make pickle pizza with a homemade Neapolitan style dough, or one on a South Shore Bar Style pizza dough recipe (would be great with the red sauce and cheddar cheese).

You could also use our homemade 72 hour Roman pizza dough. Though it would require a bit of planning, to me, there’s no style of pizza more perfect than this to craft your pickle pizza on.

Picking Your Pickle

When it comes to pickle pizza, you have to make sure that your pickles are perfect.

And I mean perfect.

Slice them too thick, and the pickle overpowers the entire pizza. And who would want that?

For this reason alone, I recommend slicing your dill pickle slices all on your own, from big dill pickles, rather than going with pre-sliced pickles. You can buy these at any old grocery store, or make them yourself if you prefer.

When you slice them, it’s important to remember to slice them thin. The thinner they are, the better your pickle pizza will be!

And as a general rule of thumb, make sure you are purchasing dill pickles.

Not bread and butter pickles, not sweet pickles, dill pickles.

I honestly would probably hate this pizza with any other kind of pickle on it, and I bet you would too.

What Else Should I Add to a Dill Pickle Pizza?

I’ve seen some recipes that call for Canadian bacon, and some that call for regular old bacon. To me, I think this is up to you. Sure, bacon could taste great on this, but sometimes I prefer to have just pickles and pickles alone.

Another great option would be adding crispy pancetta to this, if you really wanted to get fancy.

And of course, gooey cheese is a must. While this particular recipe calls for mostly mozzarella pizza cheese, pickle pizza is also great with a higher cheddar cheese ratio as well. Add as much or as little as you’d like of either, just make sure that you’re shredding whatever cheese you decide to use, rather than buying pre-shredded.

Some people may opt to drizzle this pizza with ranch dressing and sprinkling extra dill on at the end. I say, go for it! You can never go wrong with a ranch drizzle. You could also dunk your slices into the ranch dressing if you prefer, that would taste just as good.

What Equipment Do I Need?

Assuming most of us aren’t very fancy and don’t own pizza ovens, this pizza is able to be made in your very own kitchen.

A pizza stone and pizza peel combo is never a bad idea (it’s how the professionals make it!), but it’s not completely necessary to use when making pizza in the oven.

If you don’t have a pizza stone, a metal baking sheet pan or a pizza pan would work just as well. Just make sure you leave some space around the edges for the crust to breathe.

Interesting Facts about Dill Pickle Pizza

The idea of using dill pickles as a pizza topping may initially sound offbeat, but when you consider the elements of a great pizza, it begins to make sense. Pizza thrives on a balance of flavors: the sweetness of the tomato sauce, the creamy, salty cheese, and the savory toppings. Dill pickles, with their distinctive tanginess and crunch, add an unexpected yet delightful contrast that enhances this balance.

The exact inception of the dill pickle pizza is a little cloudy, with multiple pizzerias and home cooks likely arriving at the idea independently. However, it’s the ingenious pairing of dill pickles with traditional pizza ingredients like garlic, dill, and cheese that has allowed this unique combo to capture the hearts (and stomachs) of food adventurers everywhere.

Here are some interesting facts about Dill Pickle Pizza

National Pickle Day: Did you know that there’s an actual day dedicated to celebrating pickles? Every November 14th, National Pickle Day is celebrated, and many pizzerias now mark the occasion by serving dill pickle pizza.

Divisive Dish: Much like pineapple on pizza, dill pickle pizza is a polarizing topic. Some people swear by its unique flavor combo, while others can’t quite get on board.

Variations: There are many variations of pickle pizzas. Some use a traditional tomato sauce, some opt for a white sauce, and others use a garlic sauce base. Some pizzas even swap the traditional mozzarella for cheddar to complement the flavor of the pickles.

Dill Pickle Pizza Challenges: As a testament to its popularity, a few adventurous pizzerias have even held dill pickle pizza eating challenges, with contestants vying to eat an entire large pickle pizza the fastest.

Inspired Other Pickle Foods: The viral fame of the dill pickle pizza has led to a surge in pickle-flavored or pickle-included dishes, like pickle-brined fried chicken, pickle chips, and even pickle ice cream.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Dill Pickle Pizza

Suggestions for Enhancing the Flavor

The magic of dill pickle pizza lies in its unique flavor profile. Here are a few tips to boost those flavors to the next level:

Cheese Choices: While mozzarella is the classic pizza cheese, don’t be afraid to experiment. A sharp cheddar can offer a rich, tangy contrast to the briny pickles. You can also consider using a blend of mozzarella and Monterey Jack for a smooth, melty base with a mild flavor that lets the pickles shine.

Spices and Herbs: Don’t forget about herbs and spices. Fresh dill is a must to complement the pickles and give the pizza a refreshing lift. Garlic powder, onion powder, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes can add depth and a little heat.

Pick the Right Pickles: Not all pickles are created equal. For the best flavor, opt for high-quality dill pickles. You can even consider homemade or boutique pickles that offer more complex flavors.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Encountering a problem while baking your pizza? Don’t worry, here are some quick fixes:

Soggy Crust: If your pizza crust is coming out soggy, it could be due to excess moisture from the pickles. Try patting your pickles dry before adding them to the pizza. Also, ensure your oven is hot enough; a high temperature helps to quickly evaporate any excess moisture.

Unevenly Melted Cheese: To avoid uneven melting, shred your cheese evenly and don’t pile it too high in any one spot. Different cheeses melt at different rates, so if you’re using a blend, try to evenly distribute them.

Getting the Perfect Pickle-to-Cheese Ratio

The pickle-to-cheese ratio is crucial in achieving the perfect balance of flavor in your dill pickle pizza. Here are some tips:

Don’t Skimp on the Pickles: The pickles are the star of the show, after all. However, you don’t want them so packed that they make the pizza soggy or overwhelmingly sour. A good rule of thumb is to add enough pickle slices that each pizza slice will have 2-3 pieces of pickle on it.

Cheese Matters: The cheese should provide a creamy balance to the tangy pickles but not overpower them. Start with a light layer of cheese, add your pickles, then add a bit more cheese on top. This will also help the pickles stay in place while baking.

Trial and Error: Everyone’s taste is different, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the perfect ratio for you. Some might prefer a cheesier pizza, while others want the pickles front and center. Happy experimenting!

Pickle Pizza Recipe Card

Pickle Pizza FAQs

Q: How come pickle pizza is getting so popular all of a sudden?
A: Everyone loves pickles, and they’ve definitely been on the rise in terms of popularity over the last few years, thanks to pickle lovers around the world. Ever had a fried pickle?

It’s also been quite the common trend to top pizza with various different toppings, so it would only make sense that someone played around with a pickle pizza and got hooked.

Believe it or not, pickle pizza is very popular around the world as well. People have been eating this for quite some time in both Korea and India.

Q: How should I reheat pickle pizza?
A: Whatever you do, do NOT heat this in the microwave. That’s sacrilegious.

You can wrap this in tin foil and heat it in your toaster oven or oven.

My favorite way to reheat this though, is in the air fryer. It almost makes it taste even better.

Q: How do I store pickle pizza?
A: If you can’t finish the entire thing, pizza is good in the fridge for up to a week.

If you want to freeze your pickle pizza, you can do so in an airtight freezer bag or container, and keep it in the freezer for many many months.

What to Serve With Pickle Pizza

Drink: A glass of chilled chardonnay would taste wonderful with pickle pizza.

Appetizer: Honestly, I’ve been a big fan of eating my pizza with various homemade soups lately. They just compliment one another so well, that it’s an impossible combination to resist. I recommend eating this with a homemade tomato soup.

Dessert: Try this pizza with this delicious piña colada cheese pie recipe!