What Kind of Pickles Does Subway Use in 2024? An In-Depth Look

Pickles are one of the most beloved sandwich toppings at Subway. The tangy crunch of crisp pickle slices is a fixture of countless customized Subway sandwiches. But with all the deli meats, cheeses, sauces, and veggie options on the menu, you may never have stopped to think – what are those Subway pickles, exactly?

As a leading sandwich retailer with over 37,000 stores globally, Subway goes through a lot of pickles! In fact, they serve over 2 billion pickle slices per year. Let‘s take a closer look at how Subway makes their signature pickles that keep customers coming back for more.

An Overview of Subway‘s Pickle Suppliers and Manufacturing Process

According to Subway representatives, all pickles served in U.S. Subway locations are supplied by a company called Ba-Tampte. Headquartered in New York, Ba-Tampte is one of the largest pickle producers in the country.

The type of pickle used by Subway is a standard brined dill pickle. Cucumbers are first soaked in a saltwater bath to remove bitterness. Then, they are soaked in a pickling solution called a brine. Subway‘s brine contains water, distilled white vinegar, salt, dill weed, garlic, and spices like mustard seed, coriander, and black peppercorn.

The cucumbers soak in this flavored brine anywhere from 10 days up to 8 weeks depending on the flavor profile desired. This process results in a shelf-stable, ready-to-eat pickle that can be stored at room temperature after opening.

According to Ba-Tampte, their manufacturing process uses rigorous food safety controls and testing at every stage. Their pickles are OU Kosher certified and made without preservatives or artificial flavors.

Nutrition Facts: How Subway Pickles Compare

Here‘s how Subway‘s dill pickle slices stack up against some other popular pickle brands nutrition-wise:

As you can see, Subway‘s pickle nutrition facts fit right in with other leading brands. The generous 1/2-inch thick slices provide a crunchy low-cal pickle flavor blast to any sandwich.

The Purpose of Subway‘s Signature Pickle

There are a few factors that likely influenced Subway‘s choice of a traditional brined dill pickle:

• Familiar flavor – The classic dill and vinegar notes are immediately recognizable and appreciated by most palates.

• Crunch factor – The thick cut and brining process yields an audibly crunchy pickle that adds great texture.

• Cost – Simple brined pickles are relatively inexpensive to produce at massive scale.

• Pairing – The tanginess balances the richness of meats and cheese nicely without overpowering them.

• Prep – Pickles can be sliced easily in-store rather than relying on precise sizing from suppliers.

So in summary, Subway‘s no-frills dill pickle offers a balance of familiarity, crunch, cost-effectiveness, versatility, and prep convenience.

Getting the Most Out of Subway Pickles

Pickles aren‘t just an afterthought at Subway – for some pickle-lovers, they can be the whole point! Here are some tips to maximize your next Subway pickle experience:

• Request extra pickles or even a side of pickle slices. Subway employees are happy to oblige!

• Pair pickles with meats that can stand up to their tanginess. Spicy meats like pepperoni and salami are complementary.

• Dip your pickle slices in sauces and dressings like ranch, chipotle, or honey mustard.

• For serious pickle fans, ask for a pickle-only sub with as many slices as they‘ll allow!

• Try adding banana peppers, jalapeños, or olives for a tangy flavor fiesta.

At the end of the day, Subway wants you to have your perfect pickle-crowned sandwich creation. Don‘t be afraid to double-down on this tasty topping!