16 Complete Protein Pairings with Pickles

Summary:

  • Pickle is low in protein - about 0.7 grams per large.
  • In addition, pickle provides only 7 of the 9 essential amino acids sufficiently - it is a little low on leucine and methionine.[1]
  • Pickle pairs well with brazil nut, carrots, hedge mustard seeds, yellow corn or pili nut to create a complete protein profile. [2] More pickle pairings and detailed analysis below.

A complete protein is a protein source that "contains adequate proportions of the nine essential amino acids" that our body can not produce on its own.

World Health Organization [2], National Academy Press [3]

We analyzed the amino acid composition of pickles, and found both vegan and vegetarian pairings with pickles that creates a complete protein profile. Read on to discover new combinations of foods to enjoy!

Details on how we calculate complete protein profiles.

image of pickles source

Amount of Protein in Pickles

Relatively low in protein, a single pickle contains 0.7 grams of protein, or about 1% of recommended daily values. [1]

To get the adequate amount of protein with pickles alone, you will need 74 pickles (10000 grams) for an average female, or 89 pickles for males. [4] That's over 1200 calories, and a lot of pickle! Pairing pickle with a richer protein source is a good idea.

Full nutritional profile for pickles
USDA Source: Pickles, cucumber, dill or kosher dill

Macronutrients in 1 large (135g) of pickles:

% of RDV Amount
Calories
0.8% 16 kCal
Carbohydrates
0% -
Total fat
0.6% 0.4 grams
Protein
1.4% 0.7 grams

Essential Amino Acids in Pickles

Proportionally, pickle does contain abundant amounts of 7 out of the nine essential amino acids. However, pickle is a little short on leucine and methionine.[1]

To have adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids with pickle alone, you will have to eat 127 pickles (17200 grams) for an average person. [2]

That's about 72% more pickle to compensate for the lack of leucine and methionine, compared to the protein requirement alone.

The amount of each essential amino acid in 1 large (135g) of pickles:

Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [1] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
1.4% 0.675g
Histidine
1.9% 0.012g
Isoleucine
3% 0.026g
Leucine
1.9% 0.035g
Lysine
2.1% 0.035g
Methionine
0.8% 0.007g
Phenylalanine
1.5% 0.023g
Threonine
2.6% 0.023g
Tryptophan
2.6% 0.007g
Valine
2.5% 0.027g

More Complete Protein with Pickles

Top vegan pairings with pickles include:
  1. Brazil Nut
  2. Carrots
  3. Hedge Mustard Seeds
  4. Yellow Corn
  5. Pili Nut
  6. Chia Seeds
  7. Nori
  8. Sesame Seeds
  9. Pumpkin Seeds
  10. Spirulina
  11. Poppy Seeds
  12. Cashews
Although dairy and eggs are generally considered complete proteins, some types of vegetarian food pair more efficiently with pickles. These include:
  1. Sour Cream
  2. Caramel
  3. Mayonnaise
  4. Yogurt

Vegan 1. Brazil Nut and Pickles


image of brazil nut
image of pickles

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, brazil nut is high in leucine and methionine, which is complementary to pickle.

A ratio of 10 pickles (1350g) and 1.7 tablespoons of brazil nut (14g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.01 to 1:0 for pickle to brazil nut by weight.

Full nutritional profile for brazil nut
USDA Source: Nuts, brazilnuts, dried, unblanched

Table of amino acids of 10 large pickles and 1.7 tbsp brazil nut :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [5] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
17.5% 8.7g
Histidine
28.3% 0.18g
Isoleucine
38.2% 0.33g
Leucine
27.3% 0.52g
Lysine
24.5% 0.42g
Methionine
25.9% 0.22g
Phenylalanine
21.3% 0.32g
Threonine
31.1% 0.28g
Tryptophan
33.1% 0.09g
Valine
34.7% 0.38g

Vegan 2. Carrots and Pickles


image of carrots
image of pickles

Carrot is low in protein, and is high in leucine and methionine, complementing the profile of pickle.

For example, 2.5 pickles (338g) and 2.8 carrots (200g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.6:1 of carrot to pickle will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for carrots
USDA Source: Carrots, raw

Table of amino acids of 2.5 large pickles and 2.8 large carrots :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [6] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
7.1% 3.5g
Histidine
17.5% 0.11g
Isoleucine
25.4% 0.22g
Leucine
15.4% 0.29g
Lysine
16.9% 0.29g
Methionine
6.6% 0.06g
Phenylalanine
12% 0.18g
Threonine
48.8% 0.44g
Tryptophan
15.7% 0.04g
Valine
19% 0.21g

Vegan 3. Hedge Mustard Seeds and Pickles


image of hedge mustard seeds
image of pickles

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, hedge mustard seed is high in leucine and methionine, which is complementary to pickle.

A ratio of 5 pickles (675g) and 3.8 tablespoons of hedge mustard seeds (18g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.03 to 1:5 for pickle to hedge mustard seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for hedge mustard seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, sisymbrium sp. seeds, whole, dried

Table of amino acids of 5 large pickles and 3.8 tbsp hedge mustard seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [7] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
11% 5.5g
Histidine
18.7% 0.12g
Isoleucine
28.2% 0.24g
Leucine
20.7% 0.39g
Lysine
18.5% 0.32g
Methionine
10.3% 0.09g
Phenylalanine
14.6% 0.22g
Threonine
26.2% 0.24g
Tryptophan
30.9% 0.08g
Valine
24% 0.26g

Vegan 4. Yellow Corn and Pickles


image of yellow corn
image of pickles

Yellow corn is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in leucine and methionine, complementing the profile of pickle.

For example, 5 pickles (675g) and 1.6 ears of yellow corn (143g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.21 to 1:0.02 for pickle to yellow corn by weight.

Full nutritional profile for yellow corn
USDA Source: Corn, sweet, yellow, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt

Table of amino acids of 5 large pickles and 1.6 ear yellow corn :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [8] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
16.5% 8.2g
Histidine
30.3% 0.19g
Isoleucine
37% 0.32g
Leucine
36.3% 0.69g
Lysine
22% 0.38g
Methionine
15.4% 0.13g
Phenylalanine
22.6% 0.34g
Threonine
33.9% 0.3g
Tryptophan
25.5% 0.07g
Valine
37.8% 0.41g

Vegan 5. Pili Nut and Pickles


image of pili nut
image of pickles

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, pili nut is high in leucine and methionine, which is complementary to pickle.

A ratio of 10 pickles (1350g) and 2.5 tablespoons of pili nut (19g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.01 to 1:0 for pickle to pili nut by weight.

Full nutritional profile for pili nut
USDA Source: Nuts, pilinuts, dried

Table of amino acids of 10 large pickles and 2.5 tbsp pili nut :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [9] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
17.6% 8.8g
Histidine
26.9% 0.17g
Isoleucine
40.4% 0.35g
Leucine
27.5% 0.52g
Lysine
24.6% 0.42g
Methionine
16.5% 0.14g
Phenylalanine
21.7% 0.32g
Threonine
34% 0.31g
Tryptophan
39.7% 0.1g
Valine
37.3% 0.4g

Vegan 6. Chia Seeds and Pickles


image of chia seeds
image of pickles

Chia seed is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in leucine and methionine, complementing the profile of pickle.

For example, 10 pickles (1350g) and 0.4 ounce of chia seeds (13g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.01 to 1:0.9 for pickle to chia seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for chia seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, chia seeds, dried

Table of amino acids of 10 large pickles and 0.4 oz chia seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [10] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
17.7% 8.8g
Histidine
29.9% 0.19g
Isoleucine
41.6% 0.36g
Leucine
27.7% 0.52g
Lysine
27.7% 0.47g
Methionine
16.5% 0.14g
Phenylalanine
24% 0.36g
Threonine
35.4% 0.32g
Tryptophan
47.2% 0.12g
Valine
36.1% 0.39g

Vegan 7. Nori and Pickles


image of nori
image of pickles

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, nori is high in leucine and methionine, which is complementary to pickle.

A ratio of 5 pickles (675g) and 15 sheets of nori (39g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.06 to 1:0.05 for pickle to nori by weight.

Full nutritional profile for nori
USDA Source: Seaweed, laver, raw

Table of amino acids of 5 large pickles and 15 sheet nori :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [11] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
11.3% 5.6g
Histidine
18.3% 0.12g
Isoleucine
26.7% 0.23g
Leucine
19.7% 0.37g
Lysine
15.3% 0.26g
Methionine
10.5% 0.09g
Phenylalanine
14.9% 0.22g
Threonine
22.8% 0.21g
Tryptophan
19.4% 0.05g
Valine
27.1% 0.29g

Vegan 8. Sesame Seeds and Pickles


image of sesame seeds
image of pickles

Sesame seed is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in leucine and methionine, complementing the profile of pickle.

For example, 10 pickles (1350g) and 1.7 tablespoons of sesame seeds (16g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.01 to 1:0 for pickle to sesame seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for sesame seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, sesame seeds, whole, roasted and toasted

Table of amino acids of 10 large pickles and 1.7 tbsp sesame seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [12] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
18.9% 9.5g
Histidine
31.9% 0.2g
Isoleucine
43.4% 0.37g
Leucine
29.6% 0.56g
Lysine
25.6% 0.44g
Methionine
18.3% 0.16g
Phenylalanine
25% 0.37g
Threonine
38% 0.34g
Tryptophan
48.8% 0.13g
Valine
39% 0.42g

Vegan 9. Pumpkin Seeds and Pickles


image of pumpkin seeds
image of pickles

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, pumpkin seed is high in leucine and methionine, which is complementary to pickle.

A ratio of 5 pickles (675g) and 0.3 cup of pumpkin seeds (17g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.03 to 1:5 for pickle to pumpkin seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for pumpkin seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, pumpkin and squash seeds, whole, roasted, without salt

Table of amino acids of 5 large pickles and 0.3 cup pumpkin seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [13] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
13% 6.5g
Histidine
23.5% 0.15g
Isoleucine
33.8% 0.29g
Leucine
23.4% 0.44g
Lysine
24% 0.41g
Methionine
12.2% 0.1g
Phenylalanine
18.2% 0.27g
Threonine
25.6% 0.23g
Tryptophan
34.3% 0.09g
Valine
35.9% 0.39g

Vegan 10. Spirulina and Pickles


image of spirulina
image of pickles

Spirulina is a great source of protein, and is high in leucine and methionine, complementing the profile of pickle.

For example, 5 pickles (675g) and 1.3 tablespoons of spirulina (9g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.01 to 1:2.6 for pickle to spirulina by weight.

Full nutritional profile for spirulina
USDA Source: Seaweed, spirulina, dried

Table of amino acids of 5 large pickles and 1.3 tbsp spirulina :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [14] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
17% 8.5g
Histidine
25% 0.16g
Isoleucine
48.1% 0.41g
Leucine
32.6% 0.62g
Lysine
26% 0.44g
Methionine
15.8% 0.14g
Phenylalanine
24.3% 0.36g
Threonine
42.1% 0.38g
Tryptophan
44.8% 0.12g
Valine
41.4% 0.45g

Vegan 11. Poppy Seeds and Pickles


image of poppy seeds
image of pickles

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, poppy seed is high in leucine and methionine, which is complementary to pickle.

A ratio of 10 pickles (1350g) and 6.8 teaspoons of poppy seeds (19g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.01 to 1:1.4 for pickle to poppy seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for poppy seeds
USDA Source: Spices, poppy seed

Table of amino acids of 10 large pickles and 6.8 tsp poppy seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [15] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
20.4% 10.2g
Histidine
33.6% 0.21g
Isoleucine
48% 0.41g
Leucine
31.9% 0.6g
Lysine
31.2% 0.53g
Methionine
19% 0.16g
Phenylalanine
25.1% 0.37g
Threonine
40.1% 0.36g
Tryptophan
39.4% 0.1g
Valine
44.4% 0.48g

Vegan 12. Cashews and Pickles


image of cashews
image of pickles

Cashew is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in leucine and methionine, complementing the profile of pickle.

For example, 5 pickles (675g) and 1 ounce of cashews (29g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.04 to 1:9 for pickle to cashew by weight.

Full nutritional profile for cashews
USDA Source: Nuts, cashew nuts, raw

Table of amino acids of 5 large pickles and 1 oz cashews :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [16] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
17.2% 8.6g
Histidine
30.5% 0.19g
Isoleucine
41.3% 0.36g
Leucine
31.7% 0.6g
Lysine
25.9% 0.44g
Methionine
16.1% 0.14g
Phenylalanine
26.1% 0.39g
Threonine
34.8% 0.31g
Tryptophan
44.8% 0.12g
Valine
41.6% 0.45g

Vegetarian 13. Sour Cream and Pickles


image of sour cream
image of pickles

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, sour cream is high in leucine and methionine, which is complementary to pickle.

A ratio of 10 pickles (1350g) and 0.5 cup of sour cream (105g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.08 to 1:8 for pickle to sour cream by weight.

Full nutritional profile for sour cream
USDA Source: Cream, sour, cultured

Table of amino acids of 10 large pickles and 0.5 cup sour cream :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [17] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
18.6% 9.3g
Histidine
34.6% 0.22g
Isoleucine
49.7% 0.43g
Leucine
36.4% 0.69g
Lysine
37.4% 0.64g
Methionine
17.4% 0.15g
Phenylalanine
26.4% 0.39g
Threonine
42% 0.38g
Tryptophan
42.9% 0.11g
Valine
43.9% 0.47g

Vegetarian 14. Caramel and Pickles


image of caramel
image of pickles

Caramel is low in protein, and is high in leucine and methionine, complementing the profile of pickle.

For example, 5 pickles (675g) and 0.4 cup of caramel (116g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.17 to 1:0 for pickle to caramel by weight.

Full nutritional profile for caramel
USDA Source: Toppings, butterscotch or caramel

Table of amino acids of 5 large pickles and 0.4 cup caramel :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [18] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
9.6% 4.8g
Histidine
17% 0.11g
Isoleucine
26.9% 0.23g
Leucine
18.1% 0.34g
Lysine
18.2% 0.31g
Methionine
8.9% 0.08g
Phenylalanine
13.2% 0.2g
Threonine
21.2% 0.19g
Tryptophan
13% 0.03g
Valine
23% 0.25g

Vegetarian 15. Mayonnaise and Pickles


image of mayonnaise
image of pickles

Low in protein, mayonnaise is high in leucine and methionine, which is complementary to pickle.

A ratio of 10 pickles (1350g) and 0.9 cup of mayonnaise (208g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.15 to 1:15 for pickle to mayonnaise by weight.

Full nutritional profile for mayonnaise
USDA Source: Salad dressing, mayonnaise, regular

Table of amino acids of 10 large pickles and 0.9 cup mayonnaise :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [19] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
17.5% 8.7g
Histidine
27.9% 0.18g
Isoleucine
45.5% 0.39g
Leucine
29% 0.55g
Lysine
29.3% 0.5g
Methionine
16.3% 0.14g
Phenylalanine
23.4% 0.35g
Threonine
38.2% 0.34g
Tryptophan
39.5% 0.1g
Valine
39.2% 0.42g

Vegetarian 16. Yogurt and Pickles


image of yogurt
image of pickles

Yogurt is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in leucine and methionine, complementing the profile of pickle.

For example, 10 pickles (1350g) and 0.4 cup of yogurt (88g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.07 to 1:0.01 for pickle to yogurt by weight.

Full nutritional profile for yogurt
USDA Source: Yogurt, plain, whole milk

Table of amino acids of 10 large pickles and 0.4 cup yogurt :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [20] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
19.6% 9.8g
Histidine
31.3% 0.2g
Isoleucine
49.2% 0.42g
Leucine
34.9% 0.66g
Lysine
36.5% 0.62g
Methionine
18.3% 0.16g
Phenylalanine
26.6% 0.4g
Threonine
39.4% 0.35g
Tryptophan
32.8% 0.09g
Valine
48.4% 0.52g


Complete Protein Pairings

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