The Unusual Ingredient Selena Gomez Adds To Popcorn
With two seasons of "Selena + Chef" under her belt and a third on the way, it's safe to say that Selena Gomez can confidently add cooking to her lengthy list of talents. The singer and actress was admittedly lacking in kitchen skills prior to the debut of her HBO Max show in May 2020 (via The Hollywood Reporter), though her love for food certainly ran deep. Per Business Insider, Gomez's favorite meals to indulge in include pizza, Thai food, and chicken pot pie, and when she's in a snacking mood, it's mangos, chocolate, and Flamin' Hot Cheetos that she reaches for over just about anything else. Anything but a jar of pickles, that is.
The "Only Murders In The Building" star has a serious obsession with the vinegary treat, which she told Bon Appétit she keeps a hefty stock of backstage when she's on tour. Gomez has even admitted to drinking the juice that comes in her coveted jar of spears, though that's not the only way she uses up the salty green liquid (via Mirror).
Pickle juice is the key ingredient in Selena Gomez's Texas popcorn
You've probably heard that pickle juice is the secret ingredient to Chick-Fil-A's delicious chicken, and you might even use it to take your homemade bread to the next level, but have you ever thought about adding it to your popcorn? According to Glamour, that's exactly what Selena Gomez does. The outlet explained that during an appearance on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon," the former Disney Channel star revealed that she adds the tangy liquid, along with some salt and Tabasco sauce, to a bag of unsalted popcorn to create an unusual version of the movie theater snack. After making up a batch on the late-night talk show, Gomez's concoction got the stamp of approval from the host himself, who called it "fantastic" and even claimed it was his new favorite popcorn (via AceShowBiz).
Gomez's pickle obsession obviously came into play when coming up with her one-of-a-kind popcorn recipe, but it turns out her Texan roots had some influence as well. According to Distractify, pickles are a staple concession at movie theaters in the Lone Star State, and a popular one at that. If you happen to catch a film during your next trip to Texas, consider picking up both a pickle and a tub of popcorn and giving Gomez's unique recipe a try.