Taste-Off: Discerning which of 10 pickle-flavored chips you won’t sour on

Pickle-flavored chips? As odd as they sound, the combination of potato chips and dill pickles isn’t so far-fetched. Chips are a natural side for a sandwich, and more than a few sandwiches include a slice of dill pickle.

Not convinced? Then get brave and grab one of the many brands of dill pickle-flavored potato chips on store shelves. The flavor, introduced in Canada decades ago, combines vinegar, garlic, dill and toasty potato in a single salty, tangy bite.

Admittedly, dill pickle-flavored potato chips are not for those who prefer tame flavors, nor are they for potato chip purists. But after tasting through a mound of pickle potato chips, it’s clear why the flavor has become so popular.

Good pickle chips capitalize on all that makes a sour, salty pickle the ultimate side to a meaty sandwich. They’re shockingly tangy, salty and savory, delivering a burst of acid that shakes up the palate, making every bite of food more enjoyable.

Bad pickle chips have so little dill pickle flavor that they could be mistaken for plain potato chips. The worst are oily, gritty crisps that are difficult to swallow.

Here are details on wince-inducing pickle chips that are best left on the shelf and pickle-flavored potato chips that will make you wonder where this flavor has been hiding. Nutrition info refers to 28 grams, about 14 chips.

Boulder Canyon Grillo’s Pickles Wavy Classic Dill Pickle

Crisp, bright and bursting with huge pickle flavor, these large chips are pickle chip perfection. These are dangerous. 140 calories, 8 grams fat, 210 milligrams sodium, 2 grams protein. $4.50 for 5.5 ounces at Sprouts. (Also found at Costco.) (4 stars)

Miss Vickie’s Spicy Dill Pickle Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

Those who like spicy pickles will fall for these chips dusted in light orange powder. They pack a punch of spicy pickle and lots of heat. 150 calories, 8 grams protein, 140 milligrams sodium, 2 grams protein. $4.99 for 7.5 ounces at Safeway. (4 stars)

Kettle Brand Krinkle Cut Potato Chips Dill Pickle

While these stout chips are a bit tame and decidedly less vinegar-forward than an actual pickle, the complex layers of herbs and spice make for a flavorful, welcome crunch. 150 calories, 9 grams fat, 125 milligrams sodium, 2 grams protein. $5.49 for 7.5 ounces at Safeway. (3 1/2 stars)

Trader Joe’s Chips in a Pickle

The toasty, hash brown flavor of these chips is a plus, and they hit the sour note, but they need a lot more dill to complete the pickle flavor. 140 calories, 7 grams fat, 270 milligrams sodium, 2 grams protein. $2.99 for 6 ounces. (3 stars)

Utz Ripples Fried Dill Pickle Potato Chips

These crispy, ridged chips have a sweet note that makes them taste very much like a bread and butter pickle. They’re fun and tasty, but the label should reflect the flavor. 150 calories, 9 grams fat, 170 milligrams sodium, 2 grams protein. $4.99 for 7.75 ounces at Safeway. (2 1/2 stars)

Lay’s Dill Pickle Potato Chips

A crackly, delicate crunch coupled with a light punch of vinegar makes for a pleasant, crispy snack, but the dill in these chips is very difficult to detect. 150 calories, 10 grams fat, 160 milligrams sodium, 3 grams protein. $2.89 for 7.75 ounces at Target. (2 stars)

Sprouts Kettle Style Dill Pickle Flavored Potato Chips

Hard, crunchy texture and an oily aftertaste make these a poor choice. They deliver plenty of dill pickle flavor, but the cooking technique is a fail. 140 calories, 7 grams fat, 200 milligrams sodium, 2 grams sugar, 3 grams protein. $2.99 for 5 ounces. (1 1/2 stars)

Snackish Pickle Punch Potato Crisps

A strange, gritty texture and a powerful onion note muck with these disturbingly brown chips. The only upside is that they are high in protein. 121 calories, 6.5 grams fat, 168 milligrams sodium, 7 grams protein. $4.99 for 5 ounces at Target. (1 star)

Pringles Dill Pickle Potato Crisps

These are the perfect choice for those who don’t relish the idea of a pickle-flavored chip, as the flavoring is negligible at best. These are Pringles with a hint of pickle. 150 calories, 9 grams fat, 160 milligrams sodium, 1 gram protein. $3.49 for 5.5 ounces. (1/2 star)

Siete Spicy Pickle Potato Chips

These dark chips have spice, but the overwhelming flavor of old oil is unforgivable. 140 calories, 7 grams fat, 210 milligrams sodium, 2 grams protein. $3.99 for 5.5 ounces at Target. (no stars)

Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at [email protected]. Read more Taste-Off columns at www.mercurynews.com/tag/taste-off.