How Many Calories Are in Pickles and Fermented Foods?

Plain pickled vegetables are low in calories: brined cucumbers, peppers, or cabbage generally contain 10–20 calories per 100 g because most of their weight comes from water and salty brine. Pickles made with sugar or in a sweet vinegar brine can have 40–60 calories. Fermented drinks such as kefir have a different calorie content because they are made from milk: full-fat kefir has about 60–65 calories per 100 ml, while fat-free kefir has considerably fewer.

Why Are Pickled Vegetables Low in Calories?
During pickling, vegetables sit in salt water or vinegar brine. During fermentation, bacteria consume much of the vegetables’ natural sugar, so their calorie content stays low with little change. Brine itself has almost no calories because it contains only water, salt, and spices. For this reason, a bowl of pickled cucumbers or peppers may have even fewer calories than the fresh vegetables, since some of their sugar is consumed during fermentation.

What About Sweet Pickles?
Some pickle recipes, especially sweet-and-sour varieties, call for sugar in the brine. This can noticeably increase the calories compared with plain pickles because the vegetables absorb some of the sweet liquid. Sweet pickles can contain 40–60 calories per 100 g.

How Many Calories Are in Kefir and Boza?
Kefir is made from milk, so its calorie content is close to that of milk. Full-fat milk kefir has about 60–65 calories; reduced-fat versions have about 35–45 calories. Boza is made from fermented millet and sugar, so it has many more calories; one glass can easily contain 150–200 calories.

Do Homemade and Packaged Pickles Have Different Calories?
Homemade pickle brine generally contains only water, salt, and a little vinegar, so the calorie content stays very low. Packaged pickles sometimes contain a little sugar, preservatives, or flavorings to extend shelf life or balance the taste, which can raise the calorie content slightly. Check the ingredient list to see whether a pickle is plain or sweetened or contains additives. A product without a “sugar-free” or “no added sugar” statement may contain a small amount of sugar.

How Many Calories Are in Pickle Brine?
Some people drink pickle brine directly. Plain salty brine has almost no calories because it contains no dissolved sugar, only salt and a little vinegar. Sweet or spiced pickle brines may have somewhat more calories, especially in recipes with honey or grape molasses. Because brine is high in salt, drinking a large amount requires attention to salt intake rather than calories; a glass may provide a significant portion of the daily salt intake. Drinking brine may pose little concern in terms of calories, but it should be consumed in moderation because of its salt. The salt-to-water ratio in homemade brine varies by recipe but is generally kept consistent to support safe storage and fermentation; the ratio does not add calories. Store-bought pickle brine sometimes contains flavorings, which affect taste rather than calories.

In short, plain pickled vegetables are low in calories because fermentation consumes sugar and brine contributes almost none. Sweetened pickles have more calories. For drinks such as kefir and boza, milk fat and added sugar are the main factors.