We’re not telling you we told you so, but when a major chain like Pizza Hut starts topping pies with pickles, we do feel a little validated.
If you like pickles on a sandwich, after all, why not a pickle-topped pizza? That’s all we’re saying. It’s legit. And the new Pickle Pizza from Pizza Hut made that official.
On the other hand, it was only offered for one weekend at one Pizza Hut location. So it appears the chain’s passion for pickles is, for the present, provisional.
Independent shops have been experimenting with pickle-topped pies at least as far back as 2018, and Hungry Howie’s even offered a limited-time pickle-flavored pizza crust last July along with a Pickle Bacon Ranch pie. In February, Slice, a technology platform that helps independent pizzerias compete against the big chains, predicted a proliferation of pickle pizzas this year, prompting PMQ to ponder the possibility: “Will 2023 be the year of the pickle pizza?”
So, yeah, we feel a little validated.
Mind you, Pizza Hut’s Pickle Pizza wasn’t all about the pickle. It featured a buttermilk ranch sauce, cheese and crispy, breaded chicken breast seasoned with a kick of Nashville Hot Seasoning, plus white onions and then, at last, spicy dill pickles and a drizzle of buttermilk ranch for the big finish.
And then there’s the catch: It was only available June 9-11 from the Pizza Hut store at 932 8th Avenue in New York City. But who knows? This could be the start of something briny and beautiful.
Pizza Hut says it’s the first national quick-service restaurant to launch a pizza with a pickle topping. Since Hungry Howie’s reports having fewer stores (around 530) in fewer states (21), we won’t argue that point.
In a press release, Penny Shaheen, Pizza Hut’s head of food innovation, said this pickle pizza packed a punch. “We’re always looking for innovative ways to add new tastes and textures to our dishes, and pickles have been gaining popularity due to their versatility,” she said. “With our new Pickle Pizza, we’re tapping into the latest food trends while also putting culinary thought into how they come to life on a pizza. Our recipe is all about great flavor, balancing the tanginess of pickles with other classic ingredients we know taste good on our beloved pizza.”
