What Pickles Have No Added Sugar? Your Guide to Finding Sugar-Free Options

December 1, 2025 •

4 min read

Many people are surprised to learn that a jar of sweet pickles can contain as much sugar as a candy bar. Fortunately, not all pickles are loaded with sweeteners. This guide will clarify what pickles have no added sugar, helping you make healthier choices for snacking and meals.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the key differences between dill and sweet pickles and details how to identify products without added sugars by reading the nutritional label. It also offers tips for selecting or making your own sugar-free pickled snacks.

Key Points

Check the Label: Always look for "0g Added Sugars" on the nutrition facts panel and check the ingredients list for sugar aliases.
Choose Dill Pickles: Traditional, kosher, and sour dill pickles are the most common sugar-free varieties, relying on salt and vinegar for flavor.
Explore Fermented Options: Lacto-fermented pickles are naturally sugar-free and offer probiotic benefits for gut health.
Avoid 'Sweet' Pickles: Bread and butter, sweet gherkins, and candied pickles are loaded with sugar and should be avoided if you're seeking a sugar-free snack.
Look for Keywords: Search for products explicitly labeled "No Sugar Added" for a quick and reliable choice.
Make Your Own: Creating your own sugar-free refrigerator pickles at home is a simple and effective way to control all the ingredients.

The world of pickles offers a wide range of flavors and preparations, but for those watching their sugar intake, the variety can be confusing. The simple difference often boils down to how the brine is prepared. While some pickles get their flavor from a sweet brine loaded with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, others rely on salt, vinegar, and spices for their characteristic tang. Learning to differentiate between these varieties is the first step toward finding truly sugar-free options.

The Difference: Dill vs. Sweet Pickles

At the most basic level, the distinction between sugar-free and sugary pickles is the brine. Sweet pickles, such as bread and butter varieties, contain significant amounts of added sugar for their characteristic sweetness. Conversely, traditional dill pickles are typically made without any added sweeteners. Their sour flavor comes from a combination of vinegar and/or the natural process of lacto-fermentation.

Lacto-Fermented Pickles

Lacto-fermentation is an ancient preservation method that relies on salt and beneficial bacteria rather than vinegar. The bacteria convert the vegetable's natural sugars into lactic acid, which creates a tangy, sour flavor.

Flavor: A more complex, deeply sour flavor with a distinct tang.
Health Benefits: Rich in probiotics, which are beneficial for gut health.
Look for: Refrigerated pickles often use this method. The brine may appear cloudy, which is a good sign of fermentation.

Vinegar-Based Dills

These are the most common type of dill pickle found on store shelves. The brine is typically made with vinegar, water, and salt, along with spices like dill seed, mustard seed, and garlic. They are shelf-stable and do not contain probiotics.

Flavor: A crisp, clean, and tangy dill flavor.
Availability: Found in the unrefrigerated pickle aisle of most grocery stores.

How to Read Labels to Avoid Added Sugar

The most reliable way to know what pickles have no added sugar is to read the food label. The Food and Drug Administration now requires manufacturers to list 'Added Sugars' separately on the nutrition facts panel.

What to look for on the label:

Check the Nutrition Facts Panel: Look at the 'Added Sugars' line. A truly sugar-free pickle will have 0 grams of added sugar per serving.
Review the Ingredients List: Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, so check the top few ingredients for any mention of sweeteners. Common sugar names include:
- Sugar
- High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
- Cane Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Dextrose
- Maltose
- Molasses
- Honey
- Fruit Juice Concentrate

Brands That Offer No Added Sugar Pickles

Many brands now offer explicit "No Sugar Added" options, often as part of their kosher or traditional dill lines. Claussen refrigerated dills, for example, are known for a simple brine and crisp texture. Likewise, many private-label or store-brand kosher dill spears and chips contain no sweeteners. By focusing on products labeled as "kosher dill," "sour," or "no sugar added," you can confidently find a sugar-free snack.

Make Your Own Sugar-Free Pickles at Home

For complete control over ingredients, making your own pickles is the best option. Recipes for quick refrigerator pickles are simple and require no special canning equipment. Here is a basic brine recipe:

1 cup vinegar (white or apple cider)
1 cup water
1.5 tablespoons of salt (kosher or sea salt is best)
Spices (dill sprigs, garlic cloves, peppercorns)

Simply slice your cucumbers, pack them into a jar with spices, heat the brine until the salt dissolves, pour it over the cucumbers, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours.

Comparison: Common Pickle Types and Sugar Content


Pickle Type	Typical Sugar Content	Flavor Profile	Best For
Kosher Dill	Low to zero added sugar.	Sour, garlicky, and herbaceous.	General snacking, sandwiches, keto diets.
Sweet / Bread & Butter	High added sugar.	Sweet, tangy, and sometimes spicy.	Burgers, relish, those who prefer a sweeter taste.
Lacto-Fermented	Zero added sugar.	Deeply sour, complex, and tangy.	Gut health benefits, unique flavor profile.
Half-Sour	Zero added sugar.	Mildly sour and crisp, halfway between a fresh cucumber and a full sour pickle.	Snacking, fresh and vibrant taste.

Conclusion

Finding pickles with no added sugar is straightforward if you know where to look and what to check for on the label. By choosing traditional dill, kosher dill, or fermented varieties, and double-checking the 'Added Sugars' line on the nutrition panel, you can enjoy this crunchy, tangy snack without worrying about unnecessary sweeteners. For complete confidence, making your own sugar-free refrigerator pickles is a simple and rewarding option.

For more information on reading food labels, consider resources like the American Diabetes Association's guide to understanding food labels: https://diabetes.org/food-nutrition/reading-food-labels/making-sense-food-labels.

Frequently Asked Questions

All kosher dill pickles are a type of dill pickle, but not all dill pickles are kosher. "Kosher" in this context refers to a style of preparation from New York Jewish delis, emphasizing a heavy use of garlic and dill. True kosher dill pickles are prepared according to Jewish dietary laws, while the term is often used to describe the flavor profile.

Yes, it is possible. Some brands use alternative sweeteners like stevia or erythritol to create a sweet pickle without added sugar. However, traditional sweet pickles like bread and butter varieties always contain sugar.

Not necessarily. While many lacto-fermented pickles are sold refrigerated, not all refrigerator pickles are lacto-fermented. Some refrigerator pickles are simply quick-pickled with a vinegar brine and stored cold. Check the label for terms like "fermented" or "probiotic".

Whether pickle juice contains sugar depends on the type of pickle. The juice from a sugar-free dill pickle will not contain added sugar, making it a sugar-free, electrolyte-rich beverage. However, the juice from sweet pickles is often loaded with sugar.

No, you must read the label. While most traditional dill pickle recipes do not include sugar, some commercial products may add a small amount for flavor balance. Always check the 'Added Sugars' on the nutrition panel to be certain.

The best approach is to head to the refrigerated section and look for "kosher dill" or "fermented" pickles, which are the most likely to be sugar-free. If you're in the regular pickle aisle, stick to products labeled "kosher dill" and always check the nutrition facts for zero grams of added sugar.

Yes, sugar-free dill and fermented pickles are an excellent choice for a keto or low-carb diet. They are low in calories and carbs, can help replenish electrolytes, and fermented versions contain probiotics that support gut health.