Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich
This peanut butter and pickle sandwich is an easy three-ingredient sandwich made with creamy peanut butter, crunchy dill pickles, and soft white bread for a surprisingly delicious combination of salty, sour, sweet, and creamy flavors.
It takes about five minutes to make, requires no cooking, and is perfect for a quick lunch, after-school snack, pregnancy-craving sandwich, or adventurous bite when an ordinary peanut butter sandwich sounds a little too ordinary.
Easy Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich Recipe
A peanut butter pickle sandwich may sound like one of those food combinations invented during a dare, but the flavors make more sense than you might expect. Peanut butter brings a rich, creamy sweetness, while dill pickles add acidity, salt, and crunch.
The secret is using a thick layer of peanut butter and drying the pickles before assembling the sandwich. The peanut butter creates a barrier between the bread and pickles, helping prevent sogginess while balancing the sharp pickle flavor.
This recipe is especially helpful when you need a fast lunch made from refrigerator and pantry staples. There is no stove to heat, no bowl to wash, and no complicated preparation. You can serve it on soft bread, toast the bread for extra crunch, or cut it into small triangles for a quirky vintage snack tray.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is one of those recipes that earns a skeptical look before the first bite and a surprised smile immediately afterward.
- Only three ingredients: Bread, peanut butter, and dill pickles are all you need.
- Ready in five minutes: It is ideal for quick lunches and last-minute snacks.
- Sweet, salty, sour, and creamy: The contrasting flavors are what make the sandwich work.
- Easy to customize: Use smooth or crunchy peanut butter, pickle chips or spears, and toasted or untoasted bread.
- A vintage family favorite: This sandwich came to our family through Charlotte the Great and has been passed down through generations.
- Kid-tested: My children began with the same doubtful reaction I had, and it became one of the most requested sandwiches in our house.
Ingredients
You only need three simple ingredients to make one peanut butter and pickle sandwich.
White Sandwich Bread
Soft white sandwich bread gives this recipe its nostalgic soda-shop flavor and lets the peanut butter and pickles remain the stars. Wheat bread, sourdough, or homemade bread may also be used.
Creamy Peanut Butter
Use a generous layer of creamy peanut butter on both slices of bread. You do not need to measure it precisely. The peanut butter should be thick enough to protect the bread from the pickle moisture.
Dill Pickles
Cold, refrigerated dill pickle chips provide the best crunch. Garlic dill pickles are our family favorite, but classic dill, kosher dill, or sour pickles also work. Avoid sweet bread-and-butter pickles unless you specifically want a sweeter sandwich.
How to Make a Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich
- Prepare the bread. Lay two slices of white sandwich bread on a clean work surface. Toast them first when you want a firmer, crunchier sandwich.
- Dry the pickles. Place 8 to 12 dill pickle chips on a paper towel and blot them thoroughly. Removing excess brine keeps the sandwich from becoming soggy.
- Spread the peanut butter. Cover one side of each bread slice with a thick layer of creamy peanut butter, spreading it all the way to the edges.
- Add the pickles. Arrange the dried pickle chips over one slice of bread. Let them overlap slightly so every bite includes pickle.
- Finish the sandwich. Place the second slice of bread on top with the peanut butter facing the pickles. Press gently, slice, and serve immediately.
Readers Also Make
Turn this simple sandwich into something extra special with slices of beginner-friendly homemade yeast bread. Charlotte the Great’s soft family bread makes a cozy, from-the-recipe-box base for this unusual lunch.
The Story Behind Charlotte the Great’s Pickle Sandwich
When Charlotte the Great was younger—much younger—she worked at a soda fountain in the back of a drugstore, serving the people in her community.
One day, a young soldier came to the counter and requested a peanut butter and pickle sandwich.
Charlotte told him exactly what she thought of that idea. It sounded completely unappealing.
His response was simple:
“Don’t knock it unless you’ve tried it.”
Charlotte made the young soldier his sandwich. Later, curiosity got the better of her, and she made one for herself.
To her surprise, the combination of salty, sour, sweet, and creamy flavors tantalized her taste buds. The soldier had been right.
Years later, my grandmother offered the same sandwich to me. My first response sounded very much like hers: “Eww!”
Then I tried it.
It quickly became one of my favorite snacks.
Each of my children greeted the sandwich with the same suspicious expression. Eventually, it became one of the most requested lunches in our house. That is the funny thing about peanut butter and pickle sandwiches: almost everyone begins by saying no, and an impressive number of people end up asking for another one.
Charlotte the Great always believed good food filled a table, but good stories filled a family. This simple sandwich gave us both.
Expert Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Pickle Sandwich
- Dry the pickles well. This is the most important step for preventing soggy bread.
- Spread peanut butter on both slices. The thick peanut butter layers create a moisture barrier around the pickles.
- Choose refrigerated pickles. They usually have a firmer, fresher crunch than shelf-stable pickle chips.
- Use dill pickles first. Their salty, garlicky tang balances sweet peanut butter better than most sweet pickles.
- Do not skimp on the filling. A thin smear of peanut butter can let the pickle flavor overwhelm the sandwich.
- Serve it right away. This sandwich is best when the bread is soft, the peanut butter is creamy, and the pickles are still crisp.
Why Do Peanut Butter and Pickles Taste Good Together?
Peanut butter and pickles work for the same reason sweet-and-salty snacks are so satisfying. The rich, slightly sweet peanut butter softens the acidity of the pickle brine. The pickles cut through the richness of the peanut butter while adding salt and crunch.
It is not so different from pairing peanut sauce with something acidic or adding pickles to a rich burger. The ingredients contrast with one another, but they also keep each other balanced.
Troubleshooting Your Sandwich
Why is my peanut butter and pickle sandwich soggy?
The pickles probably carried too much brine onto the bread. Drain them on paper towels and blot both sides before adding them to the sandwich. Spreading peanut butter across both bread slices also helps.
Why does the pickle flavor overpower the peanut butter?
Add a thicker layer of peanut butter or use fewer pickle chips. Extra-sour pickles may require more peanut butter to create the right balance.
Why does my sandwich taste too sweet?
Use unsweetened or natural peanut butter and make sure you are using dill pickles rather than sweet bread-and-butter pickles.
Why does the sandwich fall apart?
Very thick pickle chips or whole pickle spears can slide out of soft bread. Thin pickle chips are easier to layer and hold in place.
Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich Variations
Toasted Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich
Lightly toast the bread before assembling the sandwich. Toast adds structure and makes the sandwich especially crunchy, but let the bread cool briefly so the peanut butter does not become too runny.
Crunchy Peanut Butter Version
Use crunchy peanut butter when you want even more texture. This version works especially well with thin pickle slices.
Spicy Peanut Butter Pickle Sandwich
Use spicy dill pickles or add a few pickled jalapeño slices for a sandwich with more attitude.
Open-Faced Pickle Toast
Toast one thick slice of bread, spread it with peanut butter, and arrange pickle chips across the top. Serve it open-faced for an easy snack.
Mini Vintage Sandwiches
Remove the crusts and cut the sandwich into small squares or triangles. These little bites make an unexpected addition to a retro lunch, picnic tray, or vintage recipe-box tasting party.
Peanut Butter, Pickle, and Potato Chip Sandwich
Add a small handful of plain potato chips before closing the sandwich. This is not subtle, but it is wonderfully crunchy.
Perfect With
Serve this sandwich with fresh apple slices, grapes, potato chips, carrot sticks, or a cold glass of milk for an easy lunch. For a full old-fashioned recipe-box afternoon, pair it with old-fashioned vanilla ice cream or another family favorite from Grandma’s Recipes and Vintage Favorites.
What Kind of Pickles Are Best?
Cold dill pickle chips from the refrigerator section are the best choice because they tend to be especially crisp. Our family has always loved garlicky dill pickles with plenty of crunch.
These pickle styles also work:
- Kosher dill pickle chips
- Garlic dill pickles
- Sour pickles
- Spicy dill pickles
- Thinly sliced whole dill pickles
Sweet pickles can be used, but they create a much sweeter sandwich. Begin with dill pickles when making this combination for the first time.
What Kind of Peanut Butter Should I Use?
Traditional creamy peanut butter is the easiest choice because it spreads evenly and holds the pickle chips in place. Crunchy peanut butter works when you want additional texture.
Natural peanut butter can also be used, but stir it thoroughly before spreading. A loose or oily peanut butter may cause the filling to slide out of the bread.
Serving Suggestions
A peanut butter and pickle sandwich is filling enough for a light lunch but easy to round out with simple sides.
- Fresh apple or pear slices
- Grapes or berries
- Carrot and celery sticks
- Plain potato chips
- Pretzels
- A cup of tomato soup
- A cold glass of milk
- Chocolate milk for a playful soda-shop lunch
For a homemade sandwich experience, use slices of Charlotte the Great’s easy yeast bread. The bread is soft, fluffy, and beginner-friendly enough for anyone who wants to make lunch entirely from scratch.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This sandwich is best assembled immediately before serving. Pickles continue releasing moisture as they sit, which can eventually soften the bread.
To prepare it ahead for a lunch box, dry the pickle chips extremely well and spread a thick layer of peanut butter from edge to edge on both slices of bread. Wrap the sandwich tightly and keep it chilled until lunchtime.
For the crispest results, pack the dried pickle chips in a separate container and add them to the peanut butter sandwich just before eating.
Freezing is not recommended. Peanut butter sandwiches freeze well on their own, but pickles lose their crisp texture after freezing and thawing.
Is a Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich a Pregnancy Craving?
Pickles and peanut butter are both foods commonly associated with pregnancy cravings, but you do not need a craving—or any particular excuse—to enjoy them together. This sandwich is simply a quick combination of creamy, salty, sweet, tangy, and crunchy ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a peanut butter and pickle sandwich?
It is a simple sandwich made by layering dill pickle chips between two slices of bread spread generously with peanut butter.
Are peanut butter and pickle sandwiches actually good?
Many people find the combination surprisingly good because the creamy, slightly sweet peanut butter balances the salty acidity and crunch of dill pickles.
What pickles go best with peanut butter?
Crisp dill pickle chips, garlic dill pickles, kosher dill pickles, and sour pickles pair best with creamy peanut butter.
Can I use sweet pickles?
Yes, but sweet pickles produce a much sweeter sandwich. Dill pickles provide a stronger contrast and are the best starting point for first-time tasters.
Should I toast the bread?
You can serve the bread soft or toasted. Toasted bread gives the sandwich more crunch and helps it stand up to the pickle moisture.
How do I keep a pickle sandwich from getting soggy?
Blot the pickle chips thoroughly with paper towels and spread peanut butter across both slices of bread to create a moisture barrier.
Can I make the sandwich ahead of time?
It can be made several hours ahead when the pickles are dried well, but it tastes best freshly assembled. For lunch boxes, pack the pickles separately when possible.
Can I use homemade bread?
Absolutely. Soft homemade white bread makes the sandwich especially comforting. Slice it evenly so the pickle layer does not overpower the bread.
More Recipes From Grandma’s Recipe Box
Charlotte’s recipes were never just lists of ingredients. They were stories, lessons, and little pieces of family history passed from one kitchen to another.
After trying her peanut butter and pickle sandwich, bake a loaf of easy yeast bread, make a batch of old-fashioned sticky buns, or open another divider in Grandma’s Recipes and Vintage Favorites.
Final Thoughts
This peanut butter and pickle sandwich has traveled from a drugstore soda fountain to Charlotte the Great’s kitchen, through my childhood, and into the lunches of my own children.
It still gets the same reaction whenever someone hears about it. A wrinkled nose. A doubtful pause. Sometimes an enthusiastic “Absolutely not.”
That is when we borrow the young soldier’s advice:
“Don’t knock it unless you’ve tried it.”
Dry the pickles, spread the peanut butter thick, and take one bite. You may discover that this odd little sandwich deserves a place in your own family recipe box.
Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich
This old-fashioned peanut butter and pickle sandwich combines creamy peanut butter, crisp dill pickle chips, and soft white bread for a surprisingly delicious mix of salty, tangy, sweet, and creamy flavors. It takes just five minutes and three simple ingredients to make.
Ingredients
- 2 slices soft white sandwich bread
- 4 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, or enough to spread a thick layer on both slices of bread
- 8 to 12 refrigerated dill pickle chips, enough to cover one slice of bread
Instructions
- Prepare the bread: Place the two slices of bread on a clean work surface. Toast the bread first if you prefer a firmer, crunchier sandwich.
- Dry the pickles: Arrange the dill pickle chips on a paper towel and blot both sides well. Removing the excess brine helps prevent the bread from becoming soggy.
- Spread the peanut butter: Spread a thick layer of creamy peanut butter over one side of each bread slice, going all the way to the edges.
- Add the pickles: Arrange the dried pickle chips over one slice of bread. Let the slices overlap slightly so every bite has plenty of pickle flavor and crunch.
- Assemble and serve: Top with the second slice of bread, peanut butter side facing down. Press gently, cut the sandwich in half, and serve immediately.
Notes
Equipment
- Butter knife or small offset spatula
- Cutting board or clean work surface
- Paper towels
- Sharp sandwich knife
- Toaster, optional
Best Pickles to Use
Cold dill pickle chips from the refrigerated section provide the best crunch. Garlic dill, kosher dill, sour, or spicy dill pickles all work well. Sweet bread-and-butter pickles may be used, but they will make the sandwich noticeably sweeter.
Peanut Butter Tips
Traditional creamy peanut butter spreads evenly and helps hold the pickle chips in place. Crunchy peanut butter may be used for extra texture. If using natural peanut butter, stir it thoroughly before spreading so the sandwich filling does not become oily or slide out.
How to Prevent Soggy Bread
Blot the pickle chips thoroughly on both sides before assembling the sandwich. Spread the peanut butter in a thick, even layer across both slices of bread so it creates a barrier between the pickle moisture and the bread.
Toast or Leave Untoasted
Soft white bread gives the sandwich its nostalgic soda-fountain texture. Toasting the bread adds more crunch and structure. Let toasted bread cool briefly before adding the peanut butter so it does not melt and become runny.
Variations
For extra crunch, use crunchy peanut butter or add a few plain potato chips before closing the sandwich. For a spicier version, use hot dill pickles or add a few pickled jalapeño slices. You can also serve it open-faced on toast or cut it into small triangles for a vintage snack tray.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this sandwich with apple slices, grapes, carrot sticks, pretzels, potato chips, tomato soup, or a cold glass of milk. For a completely homemade version, serve it on beginner-friendly homemade yeast bread.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This sandwich tastes best immediately after assembly. To pack it for lunch, dry the pickles very well and spread peanut butter from edge to edge on both slices of bread. For the crispest result, pack the pickle chips separately and add them just before eating.
Freezing is not recommended because the pickles lose their crisp texture after thawing.
More Recipes to Try
Continue exploring family favorites with old-fashioned vanilla ice cream or make a batch of old-fashioned sticky buns. You can also open another divider in Grandma’s Recipes and Vintage Favorites.
A quick three-ingredient sandwich made with creamy peanut butter, crunchy dill pickles, and soft white bread for a salty, tangy, surprisingly craveable lunch.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional values will vary depending on the bread, peanut butter, pickle brand, and the amount of each ingredient used. Any calculated information should be considered an estimate.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 sandwichAmount Per Serving: Calories: 429Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 6gUnsaturated Fat: 23gSodium: 897mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 5gSugar: 6gProtein: 16g
The Nutritional Information may not be accurate. This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Next Recipe to Try
Close the recipe box gently—there is another family favorite waiting inside. Make Charlotte the Great’s easy yeast bread next, then use a few soft slices to give this peanut butter and pickle sandwich the full homemade treatment.