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Jars of assorted pickled vegetables on a red checkered tablecloth

Italian-American pickled vegetable medley

Giardiniera

Giardiniera

24h 30mEasy

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

0 min

Total Time

24 hr 30 min

Servings

16

1 quart

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

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Giardiniera

Italian-American pickled vegetable medley

A crunchy, tangy mix of pickled vegetables and peppers in a seasoned brine. This Chicago-style giardiniera is the essential condiment for Italian beef sandwiches and so much more.

30m

Prep Time

0m

Cook Time

1470m

Total Time

16

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Italian CuisineSide DishVeganGluten-FreeDairy-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

February 17, 2024(Updated April 13, 2026)

Giardiniera is the ultimate pickled vegetable condiment—crunchy, spicy, and tangy with a mix of textures. The Chicago-style version adds oil to the brine for a richer, more robust flavor.

Why This Recipe Works

Salting the vegetables first removes excess water, ensuring they stay crunchy in the brine. The combination of vinegar brine and olive oil creates a uniquely flavored pickled relish.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup diced cauliflower
  • 1 cup sliced sport peppers or serrano peppers
  • 1/2 cup diced carrots
  • 1 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine celery, cauliflower, peppers, carrots, and 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper. Toss with 2 tbsp salt and refrigerate overnight.

  2. 2

    Drain and rinse the salted vegetables thoroughly. Pat dry.

  3. 3

    Combine vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tsp dried oregano, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.

  4. 4

    Pack vegetables into a clean jar. Pour vinegar mixture over them, then top with olive oil.

  5. 5

    Seal and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving. Best after 3-5 days.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping

  • Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil

  • Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

Substitutions

Sport peppersSerrano or cherry peppers

Both provide similar heat and crunch

White wine vinegarDistilled white vinegar

Slightly more sharp but works well

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

  • Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
  • Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Dice all vegetables to a similar small size for even pickling and easy spooning.

  • Chop it fine (hot giardiniera) for Italian beef sandwiches or leave it chunkier as a relish.

Storage

Refrigerate for up to 1 month. The oil may solidify in the fridge—it will liquify at room temperature.

Reheating

Serve cold or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (0mg) · 16 servings

Calories45
LowModerateHigh

A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein0g
Carbohydrates4g
Fat2g
Fiber180mg
Sugar1g
Sodium1g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are sport peppers?
Small, mildly hot peppers used in Chicago cuisine. Serrano or cherry peppers substitute well.
What do you use giardiniera on?
Italian beef sandwiches, pizza, pasta salad, burgers, eggs, and grilled meats.

Explore More

More Italian RecipesMore Side DishVegan RecipesGluten-Free RecipesDairy-Free RecipesNo-Cook Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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