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Mixed pickles are one of the trickier cupboard buys because the label covers very different products. In UK grocery terms, one jar might be an Indian-style mixed pickle with chilli, oil and spice for curries, while another is a mixed vegetable pickle for cold plates, sandwiches or mezze. Buying well comes down to choosing the right pickle style for the meal, not just the highest-rated jar.
This guide separates the category properly, flags the main trade-offs, and helps you avoid ending up with a jar that is far too spicy, too oily, or simply the wrong fit for how you eat.
Quick picks
Best overall: Patak’s Mixed Pickle
Best budget: Bodrum Cauliflower Mixed Pickles
Best for curries and Indian meals: Patak’s Original Mixed Pickle
Best for sandwiches and cold plates: Larissa Mixed Pickles Natural Vegetables
Best bulk buy: Mixed Pickle Jar 4.4kg / catering-style jars
Best milder supermarket-friendly option: Branston Piccalilli
Start here: which type of mixed pickle do you actually want?
1) Indian mixed pickle
This is the jar most UK shoppers mean when serving pickle with poppadoms, curries, flatbreads or grilled foods. It is usually spiced, salty, tangy, and often oil-based, with chopped fruit or vegetables.
2) Mixed vegetable pickle
This style is more likely to contain cauliflower, carrots, peppers or gherkin-style vegetables in vinegar or brine. It makes more sense with sandwiches, cheese, cold meats and buffet food.
3) Piccalilli-style mixed pickle
This is the British branch of the category: mustardy, yellow, chunky and sharper-sweeter. It is not a substitute for Indian pickle, but it often is the right mixed pickle for a ploughman’s or pork pie plate.
That distinction matters more than brand, because a very good Indian pickle is still the wrong buy for a ham sandwich.
What I looked for
Rather than reusing the same shortlist logic as the rest of the cluster, these are the decision points that matter specifically for mixed pickles:
- Pickle base: oil, vinegar or mustard
- Vegetable or fruit mix: affects sweetness, crunch and serving use
- Heat level: mild, medium or properly punchy
- Salt and tang: enough to lift food, not bury it
- Texture: spoonable, chunky, or loose and oily
- Meal fit: curry side, sandwich condiment, cheese-board extra, or bulk prep
- Jar size: realistic for home use vs catering value
The best mixed pickles in the UK
1) Patak’s Mixed Pickle
Best for: most shoppers who want a dependable Indian-style mixed pickle
Patak’s is the safest all-round pick because it is easy to understand and easy to place. The flavour profile is built for curry-house-style use: bold spice, clear tang, and enough savoury punch to lift rice, poppadoms and grilled meats without needing much else on the plate.
Why it works
- Familiar Indian-style pickle profile suits the widest range of UK shoppers
- Strong enough for curries, kebabs and wraps without needing a huge spoonful
- Commonly available in UK supermarkets and online
Trade-off
- Too assertive for delicate sandwiches or cheese boards
How to use
- Serve in small amounts alongside curries and dhal
- Add to wraps or flatbreads when the filling needs heat and tang
Substitution
- If unavailable, another Indian mixed pickle with a similar spice-led, oil-based profile is the closest match
2) Bodrum Cauliflower Mixed Pickles
Best for: shoppers who want a sharper mixed vegetable pickle rather than an Indian achar-style jar
Bodrum’s style makes more sense when you want crunch from the vegetables themselves. Cauliflower-led mixed pickles bring texture first and heat second, so they fit much better with grilled meats, lunch plates and mezze than with spooning next to a curry.
Why it earns a place
- Vegetable texture gives more crunch than a softer chopped pickle
- Better fit for cold spreads, salads and buffet plates
- Usually easier to use across different meals than a hot Indian pickle
Trade-off
- Less depth and spice than a true Indian mixed pickle
How to use
- Add to a mixed grill or cold mezze plate
- Chop into chopped salads or serve with cheese and bread
Substitution
- Any mixed vegetable pickle led by cauliflower, carrot or peppers in brine or vinegar
3) Larissa Mixed Pickles Natural Vegetables
Best for: sandwiches, platters and mixed family use
This is the kind of jar that works because it stays practical. A mixed vegetable pickle like this tends to be easier for households that want one jar to do several jobs: cold meats, side plates, wraps, lunchboxes and sandwich boards.
Why shoppers will like it
- Broad vegetable mix makes the jar feel versatile rather than niche
- Tangy, crunchy style usually works better than oily pickles in lunch food
- More approachable for mixed households than hotter achar-style jars
Trade-off
- Less distinctive if you specifically want Indian restaurant-style pickle
How to use
- Serve with sandwiches, cold cuts and grilled chicken
- Add to buffets where a sharper vegetable side is more useful than a spicy condiment
Substitution
- Any mixed vegetable pickle jar with visible chunkier vegetables rather than a fine chopped paste
4) Branston Piccalilli
Best for: ploughman’s lunches, cheddar sandwiches and classic British cold plates
This is the most British answer to the mixed-pickle question. Piccalilli is a mixed pickle, but it solves a different problem from Indian pickle. Mustard, sweetness and chunky vegetables make it far more useful with pork pies, ham and strong cheese than with curries.
Why it belongs here
- A true mixed pickle in UK pantry terms, just from the mustard side of the category
- Strong fit with cheese boards and lunch food
- Easier entry point for shoppers who want mixed pickle without chilli heat
Trade-off
- Completely wrong substitute for Indian mixed pickle in most curry meals
How to use
- Spread in cheddar sandwiches
- Serve with sausage rolls, pork pie or cold roast meats
Substitution
- Any sweet or mustard-led piccalilli if your meal is British lunch food rather than curry night
5) Ahmed Mixed Pickle in Oil
Best for: shoppers who want a fuller, oilier South Asian-style pickle
Ahmed-style mixed pickles usually lean stronger and more old-school in character. That means more oil, more spice presence, and a more intense finish that suits rice dishes and flatbreads better than casual snacking.
Why it stands out
- Richer, oil-based style gives a more traditional achar feel
- Better choice if supermarket mixed pickles taste too restrained
- Works well in small amounts with simple meals that need extra punch
Trade-off
- Oilier texture can feel heavy if you want a cleaner, sharper condiment
How to use
- Spoon sparingly alongside parathas, rice or grilled meat
- Mix a little into yoghurt or mayo for a punchier spread
Substitution
- Any mixed achar in oil when you want depth and spice more than crunch
6) Mixed Pickle Jar 4.4kg / catering-size jars
Best for: frequent users, larger households and small catering setups
Bulk mixed pickle jars make sense only when the use is real. If you serve curry sides regularly, prep wraps for events, or use pickle across many meals, the large format brings value. If not, it is mostly cupboard and fridge burden.
Why it can be the smart buy
- Better value per 100g for regular use
- Useful when mixed pickle is a weekly rather than occasional item
- Saves repeat buying if your household already knows the flavour style it likes
Trade-off
- Too large for most casual shoppers, especially with punchy Indian pickle
How to use
- Portion into a smaller working jar for daily use
- Keep for catering, buffet service or frequent family meals
Substitution
- Multipacks of smaller jars if you want value without opening a huge container all at once
7) Geeta’s Lime Pickle / mango or chilli pickle alternatives
Best for: shoppers who searched “mixed pickles” but may actually prefer one clearer flavour
This is here as a practical warning as much as a pick. If you like the idea of mixed pickle but always gravitate to one note, more lime, more mango, more chilli, a single-focus pickle may suit you better than a mixed jar. Mixed pickles are broader, but not always more satisfying.
Why this matters
- More targeted flavour can be easier to pair with food
- Useful if mixed pickles often taste muddled to you
- Gives a cleaner route to “spicy”, “fruity” or “sharp” depending on preference
Trade-off
- Loses the layered character that makes mixed pickle distinctive
How to use
- Choose lime for sharper, brighter meals
- Choose mango for slightly rounder, fruit-led spice
Substitution
- Any single-focus pickle if you find mixed pickle too busy
How to choose by meal, not by jar
For curry night
Choose an Indian mixed pickle first. Oil, spice and concentrated tang matter more than crunch here.
For sandwiches and lunch plates
Choose a mixed vegetable pickle or piccalilli-style jar. Cleaner acidity and visible vegetables work better with bread and cheese.
For grazing boards
Choose jars with chunkier vegetables and less oil. They look better on the plate and feel easier to serve.
For wraps and grilled meats
Either style can work, but the choice depends on whether you want spice or crunch:
- spice → Indian mixed pickle
- crunch → mixed vegetable pickle
Common buying mistakes
Mistake 1: treating all mixed pickles as interchangeable
They are not. Indian mixed pickle, piccalilli and mixed vegetable pickle solve different meal problems.
Mistake 2: buying too much heat for everyday use
A very strong achar can be excellent, but only if you will use it often enough.
Mistake 3: choosing bulk jars too early
Mixed pickle is high-impact. A smaller jar is often the safer first buy unless you already know the flavour profile.
FAQs
Is mixed pickle the same as piccalilli?
Not always. Piccalilli is a British mustard-led mixed pickle, while many mixed pickles sold in the UK are Indian or Mediterranean-style vegetable pickles.
Which mixed pickle is best with curries?
An Indian-style mixed pickle such as Patak’s is usually the best fit because the spice, oil and tang are designed for that use.
Which mixed pickle is best for sandwiches?
Mixed vegetable pickles and piccalilli tend to work better than oily achar-style pickles.
Are mixed pickles usually spicy?
Some are, especially Indian mixed pickles. Others are mainly tangy and crunchy with little or no heat.
Should I buy a jar or a multipack?
For first-time buying, start with one normal jar. Multipacks and catering tubs make more sense once you know the flavour style suits your meals.
What should I check on the label?
Look for the base first — oil, vinegar or mustard — then check for chilli level and the main vegetables or fruit.
Conclusion
For most UK shoppers, Patak’s Mixed Pickle is the most reliable mixed-pickle buy because it clearly delivers what many people expect from the category: spice, tang and useful strength in small amounts. If you want something more adaptable for lunches and platters, Bodrum Cauliflower Mixed Pickles or Larissa Mixed Pickles are the more practical route. If your meal is built around cheese and cold meats, Branston Piccalilli is the smarter mixed-pickle choice than any Indian jar.