Picnic and meal prep
Dill Pickle Kefir Pasta Salad
This pasta salad leans fully into dill-pickle flavor. Kefir and thick kefir cheese make a creamy dressing that reaches into every curve of the pasta.
Time30 minutes, plus 30 minutes chilling
Makes8 side servings
Make it
Method
- Cook the pasta until just tender. Drain, rinse under cold water, and shake very dry.
- Blend kefir, kefir cheese, pickle brine, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper until smooth.
- Combine the cold pasta, pickles, onion, carrot, bacon, and dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Stir again before serving.
Use pickle brine for tang
Pickle brine gives the dressing its sharp flavor, while kefir cheese keeps it from running to the bottom of the bowl.
Store it
Keep refrigerated and use within 3 days.
Leave out the bacon
Use smoked tofu, chopped boiled eggs, or extra vegetables instead of bacon.
Loosen pasta after chilling
If the pasta absorbs the dressing overnight, loosen it with 1 to 2 tablespoons kefir before serving.