Marinate Cheese In Pickle Juice To Give It A Tasty Zing

If you like the taste of pickles, you're in luck, as it seems that almost anything can be pickled these days. Some of the more popular foods to soak in vinegar and other seasonings, of course, are cucumbers and other veggies like carrots, jalapeños, and onions — but did you know you can also pickle potatoes, mangoes, and cherries? Our list of 14 surprising foods you can pickle may have you whipping out your mason jar, but we'd be remiss not to mention another delicious food that can benefit from pickle juice: cheese.

We're not technically suggesting you pickle your cheese, although some cheeses can be brined to add a salty depth of flavor. But rather, marinating your cheese in pickle juice may up your charcuterie or snack game and requires even less effort, especially if you're a pickle lover and already have some sitting around. Let's find out how to do it.

Let's say you've finished all the pickles in your jar and you're left pondering what to do with leftover pickle juice. While there are a plethora of ways to use this liquid gold, making marinated cheese is one of the easiest and most delicious. All you have to do is drop your cheese into a jar of pickle juice, adding any other herbs, spices, or flavorings that you like. Then, let your cheese soak up those tangy juices in the fridge and you'll be left with a deliciously salty, sour snack.

This method works best on soft white cheeses like mozzarella, gouda, and feta, as their salty creaminess provides a sharp, yummy contrast with the pickle juice's acidic bite. Once the cheeses are all pickley, you can either eat them on their own, spread them on bread or crackers, or place them on a charcuterie board with meats, olives, fruits, and honey. Or, throw them in a salad, sandwich, or burger — as long as you like the taste of pickles, a limit does not exist here. Marinated cheese can even make a great gift — just tie a little twine around your jar's lid and you've got a tasty homemade present.

If there's any pickle juice left over, it can also be a great addition to cheesy dishes like mac and cheese, grilled cheese, and cheese dip — but we're confident marinated cheese will leave you satisfied.