Pickle juice has its place in the kitchen, whether as a salty marinade for fried chicken sandwiches or taking a pickleback shot (which helps you quickly discover why pickle juice and whiskey pair so well together). While it’s known for its zesty appeal, another refrigerator staple deserves just as much hype: jarred banana pepper brine.
Banana peppers are most known for their mild heat, subtle sweetness, and tangy flavor. While available fresh, they are commonly seen pickled and jarred, typically sold in mild or hot varieties. Regardless of your selection, the brine always delivers a sweet, salty, pungent, yet vinegary flavor, perfect for a versatile kick in various dishes.
Better yet, you can use the juice straight from the jar with no added prep work. It’s excellent for marinating meat because as the meat sits in the pepper juice, the residual salt helps to draw out moisture, and then the acid relaxes the protein fibers, allowing them to reabsorb the excess liquid for a succulent final product. Another jar-to-recipe option: use it in a simple salad dressing, replacing the acid with the brine mixture for a bright and punchy condiment perfect for topping a traditional antipasto recipe. It cuts through the fatty meats and cheeses and complements the sweet tomatoes.
More ways to use banana pepper brine
For more straight-from-the-jar options, try using banana pepper liquid in your next extra dirty (or filthy) martini. After all, this cocktail is well known for its savory flair, so replacing olive juice with banana pepper brine at a 1:1 ratio adds a nice extra punch. Alternatively, add a dash or two of the brine to jazz up your favorite tuna or egg salad recipe, giving it a dose of subtle heat and saltiness to balance the creamy mayo base. Additionally, a spoonful of the brine is a tasty quick fix for lackluster soups and stews that need a little extra savory, salty, vibrant touch in a pinch.
While using banana pepper juice straight from the jar is a deliciously flavorful (and fast) option, another idea is to blend the peppers with the brine to create a thicker consistency. This blend would make an excellent, zesty hot sauce for topping your favorite breakfast tacos or even scrambled eggs. Just make sure to choose the hot variety for a bolder finish. For a delicious appetizer, combine mild banana peppers and their juices with an immersion blender, then place the mixture on top of soft cheeses (think cream cheese or brie) for an unforgettable pairing that’s tangy and rich, ready to spread on top of a buttery, salty cracker.
