Flavours

Spicy Pickles: Our Heat Scale From Mild to Ghost Pepper

October 13, 2026 4 min readBy Atlanta Pickles Team

Jar of The Ghost Pickle ghost pepper pickles by [PICKLES]

"How spicy is it, really?" We hear that question at our market table every single weekend, usually from someone holding a jar at arm's length. Heat is personal: one person's "pleasant warmth" is another person's emergency glass of milk. So we made it simple.

Here is our heat scale, jar by jar, so you can pick a spicy pickle that matches your tolerance instead of guessing.

Jar of The Ghost Pickle by [PICKLES], ghost pepper pickles in a 17 oz glass jar — The Ghost Pickle, 17 oz. The top of our scale

The short version: anything we name "Spicy" is a 3 out of 5, made with habanero. The Ghost Pickle is a 4 out of 5 and the only jar that truly stings. The Heat and Sweet is a gentle 2 out of 5. And despite the name, The Banana Pickle has no heat at all.

How our heat scale works

Our scale runs from 0 to 5. It is not a lab measurement; it is how the jar eats for a typical pickle lover. A few things shape how hot a pickle feels:

The pepper. Banana peppers bring flavour, not fire. Jalapeños are warm. Habaneros are properly hot and fruity. Ghost peppers are in another league.
Sweetness. Sugar rounds off heat, which is why a sweet-heat pickle feels gentler than a sour one with the same pepper.
Time. Heat builds. The first bite tells you less than the third.

0 out of 5: flavour, no fire

The Banana Pickle

This one catches people out. The Banana Pickle is named for banana peppers, not for heat. It is a balanced garlic dill pickle, and it won Flavor of Georgia Best Pickle in 2024. If you love the idea of peppers but not the burn, start here.

The Green Tomatoes

The Banana Pickle's twin, made with green tomatoes instead of cucumbers. Also no heat, and a Flavor of Georgia 2026 Category Winner. Read more in our pickled green tomatoes guide.

2 out of 5: sweet heat

The Heat and Sweet

The Heat and Sweet uses red jalapeños, and the sweetness comes first. The warmth arrives after, gently. It is the best first step for anyone who wants to see if they like spicy pickles, and it is brilliant on burgers, pizza and cheese boards with mild cheeses like Monterey Jack.

3 out of 5: the Spicy line (habanero)

Every jar with "Spicy" in the name sits here, and every one gets its heat from habanero. Expect real, building warmth with a fruity edge, but still a pickle you can snack on. Pick by vegetable:

The Spicy Garlic

The Spicy Garlic won a Good Food Award in 2026. Big garlic flavour, habanero heat, and a favourite for Bloody Marys and charcuterie.

The Spicy Okra

The Spicy Okra is the Southern pick and the ultimate Bloody Mary garnish. Our pickled okra guide compares it with the mild jars.

The Spicy Carrots, Green Beans and Cauliflower

The Spicy Carrots, The Spicy Green Beans and The Spicy Cauliflower bring the same 3 out of 5 to different crunches. Carrots are great with tacos, green beans stand tall in a cocktail, and cauliflower soaks up the brine beautifully.

Big heat: The Hot Pickle

The Hot Pickle is our fiery classic cucumber pickle: crisp, tangy and properly hot, built for people who want heat on a burger or in a spicy margarita. It is still below the Ghost, which is the only jar on our shelf that truly stings.

4 out of 5: The Ghost Pickle

The Ghost Pickle sits at the top of our scale. Made with ghost peppers, it won Best Spicy at the 2024 Artisan International Flavor Awards, and it is the only one of our pickles that stings. The heat comes on a few seconds after the bite and lingers.

We love it next to buffalo wings, chopped into a spicy margarita, or as a pickleback for the brave. Have a glass of milk or some bread nearby the first time.

Heat tip: if a pickle is hotter than you expected, reach for dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese) or bread rather than water. Cold, creamy foods take the edge off much faster.

Which spicy pickle should you buy?

Never had a spicy pickle: The Heat and Sweet (2/5).
Like hot sauce on most things: anything from the Spicy line (3/5). The Spicy Garlic is the award winner.
Bloody Mary person: The Spicy Okra or The Spicy Green Beans.
Burger and sandwich person: The Hot Pickle.
Chasing a challenge: The Ghost Pickle (4/5).
Want peppers without heat: The Banana Pickle (0/5).

Want to know which jars our customers reach for most? Our earlier post, Spicy Pickles Ranked, walks through the bold lineup. For a gift, The Blazing Box packs three spicy jars in one gift-ready box.

Spicy pickle FAQ

Does the heat get stronger the longer the jar is open?

Brine keeps working on whatever is in the jar, so a jar that has been open a while in the fridge can taste a little bolder than on day one. Keep the pickles under the brine and use a clean fork.

What is the best way to serve spicy pickles to a mixed crowd?

Put out one jar from each step of the scale with a small label: a 0, a 2, a 3 and, if you are feeling brave, the 4. Add a bowl of cheese cubes and crackers so anyone who overshoots has a cool-down nearby.

Can I cook with spicy pickles?

Yes. Chop them into tuna or chicken salad, scatter them over pizza after it comes out of the oven, or stir a spoonful of the brine into a marinade. A little goes a long way with the Ghost.

Every jar is 17 oz, vinegar-brined, shelf-stable for up to two years unopened, and made in small batches in Atlanta. Shipping is free in the US on 2 or more jars, so a mild jar and a hot jar is the easiest way to find your spot on the scale. Browse everything in Spicy & Hot.