The Unusual Pizza Topping That's Gained A Cult Following

Who doesn't enjoys a slice of pizza? The soft (or crispy) crust with a tangy tomato sauce base, ooey-gooey melted cheese, and a drizzle of oregano or basil makes the perfect snack or meal. Pair it with a fresh salad, a glass of wine, or a fun group of friends, and call it a plan. Pizza is a worldwide phenomenon, a superb icon of Italian food and in recent decades, a must in every American household. There are pizzas for every budget, for every age, for any dietary preference, and it's so versatile they can have so many toppings on top, from pepperoni, pesto, and bacon, to other toppings you probably haven't tried.

But, here's where the debate starts. There is a long-standing team that believes pineapple doesn't belong on pizza, while others consider this acidic fruit a favorite pizza topping. Adventurous palates consider mushrooms, artichokes, clams, and sun-dried tomatoes as the best add-ons, while some can't stand looking at a pizza covered with anchovies.

Most of these toppings may start as a novelty or trend, but the Washington Post believes there's a beloved American ingredient that is the new breakout pizza topping. It's different, salty, tangy, and even sour, and according to The Department of Agriculture, Americans eat 8.5 lbs of this per year (via Mental Floss). Say hello to pickle pizza.

The Washington Post says pickle pizza is here to stay. It's often served over white sauce instead of tomato sauce, along with cheese, dill pickles, and any other seasoning. It started being offered in local state fairs, as a classic pizza with an acidic twist. Now, it's a topping used by different pizzerias across the country. But, the original version is found in Rochester, New York, at Rhino's Pizzeria, which made this invention famous.

Back in 2018, a Rhino's Pizzeria employee created a pizza with a white garlic sauce, mozzarella cheese, and topped it with dill pickles (per Atlas Obscura). This pizza was sprinkled with more dill and then photographed for social media, where it went viral. NBC New York says it reached over 86,000 shares and 32,000 comments, with plenty of views. The next thing that happened was tons of visitors from out-state coming to taste the dill pizza, and later, Rhino's started selling their famous sauce online.

You may think that the oven softens the pickles, making them mushy, but, according to a review by food blogger Beryl Shereshewsky, the pickles were quite crunchy after baked, and she rated the slice a "10 out of 10." The comment section reveals mixed feelings about pickle pizza, and this is a dish we think you'll have to try before you decide. Add some crunchy, refrigerated pickles to your go-to homemade pizza recipe if your local pizza place doesn't yet offer this variety.