Non-Veg Pickles Online or Veg Pickles? How to Decide What to Order From an Andhra Pickle Shop

When people visit our shop for the first time, they often stop at the very first choice: non-veg pickles or veg pickles? If you are buying non-veg pickles online for the first time, this guide is for you. Andhra is one of the few regions in India where meat and seafood pickles are a proud, everyday tradition, so the choice is real.

There's no wrong answer, of course. But understanding how the two differ will help you pick the right jars for your home. Here's a simple guide.

What Counts as Veg and Non-Veg?

Our vegetarian pickles

Made from fruits, vegetables and leaves, with no meat, fish or egg:

• Mango: Avakaya, Magaya, Koru Pachadi
• Tangy: Lemon, Tomato, Usiri
• Leafy and herby: Gongura, Kothimeeri
• Others: Ginger, Pandu Mirchi, Munakkaya Pachadi

See them all on our veg pickles page.

Our non-vegetarian pickles

Made with meat or seafood, cooked and preserved in spices and oil:

• Chicken: Chicken Pickle, Boneless Chicken, Gongura Chicken
• Mutton: Mutton Pickle, Gongura Mutton
• Prawns: Prawn Pickle, Gongura Prawns

See them all on our non-veg pickles page, or compare each meat on its own page: chicken pickle, prawn pickle and mutton pickle.

How They Differ

Taste and role on the plate

• Veg pickles are mostly sour-spicy: mango, lemon, tomato and gongura give sharp, tangy flavours that wake up rice, dal and curd rice. You use a little masala per bite.
• Non-veg pickles are rich and meaty: the pieces themselves are almost like a dry curry. A piece or two can be the main flavour of a meal.

How you eat them

• Veg pickles are everyday companions. Many families eat a little at every meal.
• Non-veg pickles are often for weeknight dinners, quick meals and special treats. One jar can save several evenings of cooking.

Storage

This is an important practical difference.

• Veg pickles: Keep unopened jars in a cool, dry cupboard. Our product pages recommend refrigerating after opening for the best freshness.
• Non-veg pickles: Refrigerate after opening, always. Use a clean, dry spoon and never return leftovers to the jar.

If you don't have reliable access to a fridge, for example in some hostels, veg pickles are the safer choice.

Price

Non-veg pickles cost more than veg pickles because meat and seafood are more expensive ingredients and need more cooking. Both come in 250 g, 500 g and 1 kg packs. Please check each product page for current prices.

Portion

• Veg: A teaspoon of masala or a piece or two per meal.
• Non-veg: A piece or two with a little masala is enough for a plate of rice.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose veg pickles if:

• You or your family are vegetarian
• You want something to eat every day with every meal
• You're new to Andhra pickles and want to start with the classics
• You don't have easy access to a fridge
• You're gifting someone whose food preferences you don't know

Choose non-veg pickles if:

• You love chicken, mutton or prawns
• You want quick, satisfying meals on busy nights
• You're missing Andhra non-veg cooking from home
• You want something special for weekends or guests

Choose both if:

• Your household has both vegetarians and non-vegetarians
• You want daily pickles plus a weekend treat

Building a Mixed Basket

For many families, the best answer is a mix. Some starting ideas:

• First-time order: Avakaya (veg) + Chicken Pickle (non-veg) + Tomato Pickle (veg)
• Gongura lovers: Gongura Pickle (veg) + Gongura Chicken (non-veg)
• Seafood family: Lemon Pickle (veg) + Prawn Pickle (non-veg)
• Festive basket: Avakaya + Magaya (veg) + Mutton Pickle (non-veg)

Starting with 250 g jars lets you try more varieties in one order.

Why Andhra Is Famous for Non-Veg Pickles

In most of India, "pickle" means fruit or vegetables. In Andhra, and especially in the coastal Godavari and Krishna regions, meat and seafood pickles have long been part of home cooking. Cooking meat in spices and oil was a practical way to keep it for longer, and over generations it became a delicacy in its own right. Today, chicken, mutton and prawn pickles are among the things Telugu people living away from home miss most, which is why we make all three with the same care as our mango and gongura pickles.

A Note for Mixed Households

If your home has strict vegetarians and non-vegetarians, keep separate spoons for veg and non-veg jars, and store non-veg pickles on a separate shelf in the fridge. It's a simple courtesy that keeps everyone comfortable.

Gongura: Available Both Ways

One of the unique things about Andhra cooking is that gongura goes with everything. If you love it, you can enjoy it as a pure veg pickle or with chicken, mutton or prawns. See every variety on our gongura pickles page, and our guide to Andhra non-veg pickles explains the gongura specials in more detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are your vegetarian pickles fully vegetarian?

Our veg pickles are made from fruits, vegetables, leaves and spices, without meat or seafood. Please read each product page for the full ingredient list.

Do non-veg pickles need refrigeration?

Yes, after opening. Use a clean, dry spoon and never return leftovers to the jar.

Which is better for a first order?

Many people start with one veg (Avakaya or Tomato) and one non-veg (Chicken or Boneless Chicken) to try both.

Why are non-veg pickles more expensive?

Meat and seafood cost more and need more cooking than fruits and vegetables.

Fill Your Basket, Your Way

Whatever your plate looks like, there's a jar for it. Browse our veg pickles and non-veg pickles, made fresh after you order in Tadepalligudem. Cash on Delivery is available for serviceable pincodes. Need help? Message us on WhatsApp at +91 98486 58989.

With love from our kitchen,

Vidya

Founder, Pickle Basket