What's a Wickle, Anyway?

If you love spicy food and think no sandwich is complete without a pickle, chances are, there is a jar of Wickles already in your refrigerator. And if you're not familiar with this line of addictively tasty Southern-made pickles, allow us to introduce you.

Wickles were born in Dadeville, Alabama. Brothers Trey and Will Simms couldn't get enough of the spicy pickles made by their cousin's grandmother. So they bought the 70-year-old recipe from her and teamed up with a friend, Andy Anderson, to turn the family favorite into a product found in grocery stores across the South and beyond.

There are a lot of pickle brands lining supermarket shelves these days, but Wickles stand out from the rest for their firm, crisp texture and bold flavors, which the company describes as "wickedly delicious." One look at a jar of Wickles Wicked Pickles or Pickle Chips and you'll see why. Bright red chile peppers mingle with other ingredients like whole mustard seeds and chopped garlic. Those ingredients, plus a tangy apple cider vinegar brine, infuse the pickles with big flavor and a powerful punch of heat. We are partial to Wickles Wicked Pickle Chips, which were a runner up in our 2015 Food Awards. Judges called them "an essential ingredient for a great cheeseburger."

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Although sweet pickles (also called bread and butter pickles) are a traditional Southern favorite, Wickles didn't forget about dill pickle fans—the company also makes Dirty Dill Chips and Spears and Baby Dills, which are great for upgrading a hot dog or tuna sandwich.

And if you're looking for a fun addition to a relish tray, try Wickles Wicked Okra or Wicked Garden Mix, which includes pickled cocktail onions (hello, martinis), pickles, and cauliflower. They're the next best thing to homemade.