The Brine Boom: Pickles Are Popping Off in Illinois Grocery Stores

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – From classic dill spears to pickle sorbet and even cocktails, Illinois shoppers are diving into the country’s growing pickle craze. Data from Instacart shows that Vlasic is the top-selling brand in Illinois, but up-and-coming names like Grillo’s and OH SNAP! are winning fans in refrigerated aisles.

Pickle Brands on the Rise

For decades, staples like Mt. Olive and Vlasic dominated store shelves. Now, fresher, crunchier alternatives are shaking up the market. Brands such as Grillo’s Pickles and bold newcomers like SuckerPunch, known for varieties with arbol and three-pepper spice, are gaining traction among shoppers looking for more adventurous flavors.

Nationwide, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin rank among the top pickle-buying states, while Illinois sits at #34 in pickle consumption, according to purchase data collected by Instacart.

Viral Pickle Pairings

Pickles are no longer just a side on a plate — they’re inspiring unusual but wildly popular pairings:

• Takis + Pickles: This fiery combo is trending on TikTok, with Takis 118% more likely to be ordered when pickles are in the cart.
• Fruit Roll-Ups + Pickles: Sweet and sour collide, with orders 116% more likely to include both.
• Pizza Night + Pickles: Cheeseburger-style pizzas are often paired with dill slices, with Red Baron pizzas 55% more likely to show up in carts alongside pickles.
• Parmesan-Pickle Crackers: A viral two-ingredient recipe that boosted parmesan cheese orders by 50% whenever pickles were purchased.

One TikTok showcasing the Takis-and-pickle combo racked up thousands of views, fueling curiosity about the snack.

Beyond the Jar

The flavor is spreading across categories: pickle-flavored chips, dips, nuts, and even salads are flying off shelves. Pickle-inspired items like sorbet and the Picklerita slush are adding tangy twists to desserts and drinks, while cocktail menus in Chicago have embraced the trendy pickle martini.

Social media has amplified the craze, with videos of pickle sorbet and briny slushies fueling demand across Illinois.

The Midwest Leads the Charge

Though Illinois sits mid-pack nationally, neighboring states like Wisconsin and Iowa are driving the pickle boom in the Midwest. Together, they reflect the region’s appetite for briny, tangy flavors that pair perfectly with hearty comfort foods.

As fall tailgating and festival season picks up, expect to see even more pickle-inspired snacks and cocktails popping up across Illinois.

Pickles have gone from a humble refrigerator staple to a nationwide obsession — and Illinois is fully on board. For more food trends and local flavor stories across the Midwest, stay with ChicagoMusicGuide.com.