The mighty pickle can stand strong in multiple seasons. Pickles are perfect for home gardeners hoping to preserve end-of-harvest leftovers or for chefs looking for an acidic counterpoint to heavier dishes. Plus, there are health benefits — fermented foods like pickles contain probiotics that promote digestive health, lower cholesterol and even fight depression. Pickling has been around for more than 4,000 years, but plenty of local Salt Lake restaurants are providing new twists on old classics.
Did you know you can get your pickle fix and help the community at the same time? This Salt Lake-based company hires at-risk or special needs students, providing much-needed job experience and training. Their pickles, which include spicy dill pickles, pickled carrots with jalapeño and cilantro, spicy dill beans, spicy dill asparagus, pickled onions and pickled beets, are available for purchase online, at local retailers and at farmers’ markets.
This innovative, upscale downtown restaurant uses pickled kind veggies in a decadent appetizer with crisped pork cheek and pork belly confit. For a sweeter surprise, the beet salad is garnished with pickled strawberries.
Bourbon House has mastered the art of creative pickle garnishes, including deviled eggs with pickled mustard seeds, ahi carpaccio with soy pickled ginger and a wedge salad with pickled red onion.
Pickle fans can order house made pickles on burgers or as a small plate at East Liberty Tap House, and the chicken tacos feature a south-of-the-border twist — pickled jicama and chayote pico.
This bar and entertainment venue, which opened a Salt Lake City location on Sept. 21, uses pickled chiles and jalapeños to spice up salads, appetizers and their five-layer beef brisket chili. For a milder option, try the falafel burger topped with pickled cabbage.
Josh Petersen is the former Digital Editor of Salt Lake magazine, where he covered local art, food, culture and, most importantly, the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. He previously worked at Utah Style & Design and is a graduate of the University of Utah.
Utah offers a selection of venues where the charcuterie board is not just an offering but a specialty. Let's slice into the scene and discover the best places for charcuterie boards in the Beehive State.
