How to Substitute Dried for Fresh Dill in Pickles

By: Sarah Bourque

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Dill pickle recipes start with a brine solution of water, vinegar and salt. Garlic and other seasonings are added, but the star flavor is dill weed. Dill weed has a strong, tangy taste that complements the preserved cucumbers. Pickles usually call for fresh dill. Dill is easy to grow and often available in stores. There may be an occasion when fresh dill is out of season, hard to find in your local market or was mistakenly left off of your grocery list. In a pinch, you can easily replace fresh dill with dried.

Step 1

Measure out your dried dill. Use about one teaspoon of dried dill for each tablespoon of fresh dill needed.

Step 2

Crush the ground dill to release some of the flavor. Try grinding it in a mortar and pestle or simply the palms of your hands.

Step 3

Add the crushed dry dill weed in place of the fresh dill to your favorite pickle recipe. Add a few pinches of dried dill seed to boost the flavor, if desired.