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Unless you’re pregnant or just a really big fan of pickles, there’s a good chance you don’t think twice about dumping the juice out of your pickle jar once all of the pickles are gone.
It turns out that you might want to think twice before you toss it all down the drain, though, and here are 12 reasons why.
12. To soothe a sore throat.
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The salt and vinegar combination in pickle juice are an effective remedy for sore throats.
If you or one of your kids isn’t keen on drinking it, you can use it to gargle with instead.
11. It’s a hangover remedy.
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If you’re worried that you’ve overindulged after a night out, drink some pickle juice before you head to bed for the night or even as soon as you wake up the next morning.
Protip: some bars will even offer you a “pickleback” shot at the end of the night just to get a jump on things!
10. Combat your heartburn and indigestion.
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It might seem counterintuitive, but a pickle (or just the juice) can help balance your stomach’s pH levels.
Give it a try; you might be able to ditch your antacids altogether!
9. It’s a safe weed killer.
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You can spray the juice or just pour it directly onto the weeds, but either way, the mix of vinegar and salt will do them in every time.
8. To lose weight.
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Vinegar is a metabolism booster while also being low in calories, which makes it a great choice if you’re trying to lose weight.
You’ll want to watch your sodium levels, too, though, because if they get too high it will cause you to retain water.
7. You can pickle other foods.
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You can reuse the already-made pickle juice to pickle other things – carrots, eggs, peppers – whatever you like!
Dump them into the jar and let it brine for just a couple of days, and voila!
6. Create fun cocktails.
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There are plenty of people out there who actually like the taste of pickle juice, which is probably why drink-makers everywhere have come up with recipes that incorporate it into their favorite cocktails.
Whether you’re a fan of Bloody Mary’s, martinis, or something more adventurous, that juice will come in handy.
5. For deviled eggs.
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If you haven’t added a splash of pickle juice to your deviled egg recipe you haven’t lived. My grandmother called it her “secret ingredient,” but it’s a secret no more!
4. It makes a great marinade.
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Not only does pickle juice add great flavor to your meats while they marinate, it also tenderizes them.
The longer it sits in there the better the flavor and tenderness, so try leaving it in the fridge overnight for the best results.
3. To cure an upset stomach.
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Pickle juice has been shown to neutralize an upset or sour stomach – so whether you’ve picked up a stomach bug or are suffering from morning sickness, it’s definitely worth a try.
2. Stop your muscle cramps.
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Even science agrees that pickle juice can stop muscle cramps in their tracks – the combination of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium chloride combine with electrolytes to make it a winning combination.
Coaches and athletes everywhere make sure they’ve got some available on the sidelines.
1. To soothe a sunburn.
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Blot pickle juice on your reddened and sore skin to help take the sting out. The vinegar in the juice can also calm any blistering that’s beginning to happen.
If you’ve got some super sore spots (or your kids do) hold a pickle directly on the spot for extra relief.
I honestly would never have figured out most of these on my own, so go internet.
Do you hang onto your pickle juice? Tell us why you save it in the comments!
