Homemade Giardiniera

This homemade giardiniera recipe is full of crisp vegetables and seasonings which make the perfect condiment for sandwiches, pasta salads, and those delicious Italian beef sandwiches!

Giardiniera Recipe

I know the name looks funny but you are going to love this recipe! Fresh, crispy veggies, lightly pickled with spices and stored in the fridge for whenever you get a craving.

Made famous in Chicago by Italian immigrants, it’s at condiment or relish that has many uses. The name is an Italian word that means “from the garden” and they made it as a way to preserve those fresh veggies. I don’t have a garden so I grab mine from the farmers market!

Not only is delicious, it’s easy with the quick pickle technique so no hot water baths to deal with.

Make a big batch and give it to your friends and neighbors too! Makes a great edible gift. And much a much better flavor than those jars of giardiniera you find at the grocery store.

Try this or my other favorite condiments like this homemade whole grain mustard, pickled red onions, these Mexican taco pickles, and this pickled asparagus recipe. SO yummy!!

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Ingredients Needed

Peppers – I use a combination of red bell pepper for sweetness and jalapeno for spice.

Veggies – Celery ribs, carrots, and cauliflower florets.

Garlic – Fresh minced garlic is best. Substitute garlic powder if needed.

Spices – Kosher salt, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, celery seeds, whole peppercorns, 

Vinegar – Distilled white vinegar. Substitute red wine or white wine vinegar. I don’t recommend apple cider vinegar.

Oil – Extra virgin olive oil. Substitute canola oil if needed.

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Variations

Peppers – The chicago style typically uses sport peppers like you find on the chicago style hot dogs. I prefer to use jalapenoes or serrano peppers. You can always leave out the hot peppers and substitute in more red bell peppers.

Fresh vegetables – Really you can use any of your favorites. I like green bell peppers, green olives, and green beans in mine sometimes.

How to Make Homemade Giardiniera

First: Mix all the vegetables together and place in a large bowl or glass jar. Sprinkle the salt over the veggies and cover with water. Stir to mix. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 12 hours but overnight is best.

Second: The next day, pour off the brine and rinse the veggies. Layer the veggies in a clean bowl of glass jar.

Third: In a separate bowl whisk the spices, vinegar, and olive oil together. Pour vinegar, spices, and oil mixture over the vegetables. Seal tight.

Fourth: Invert the jar a few times to mix everything together. Store in the refrigerator for 48 hours, inverting it every so often. When ready to eat, bring to room temperature so the oil isn’t solid.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

How long does it last?

This will keep for 3 weeks if it lasts that long. I haven’t tried to use traditional canning methods with this.

Is it a Chicago thing?

The Windy City sure is lucky to have this in just about every restaurant you walk into.

You can find it pretty much anywhere in the stores, but when you go to get a sandwich in Chicago, you can bet that this will be either on it or on the table for you to add to it.

​What do you eat giardiniera with?

There are so many things you can eat this with. Add it to burgers and sandwiches. Toss in a few olives and it’s like the olive salad you put on a muffuletta.

I like to stir mine into pasta salads, egg salad, place a small bow on charcuterie boards, relish tray, crudites, and even spooned over a block of cream cheese as an appetizer with crackers.

What’s the difference between Italian style and Chicago-style giardiniera?

In Chicago it’s eaten as a condiment like a relish on burgers, hot dogs, and the key ingredient in Italian beef sandwiches, etc. 

Italian giardiniera has larger pieces of the vegetables and is served on antipasto platters.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

Giardiniera is a colorful mix of crisp pickled veggies that goes with just about anything. Whip up a batch and keep in the fridge for any flavor emergencies you might have, LOL.

This post first appeared on Dish of Daily Life. Originally published 08/17/17 – photos and recipe notes updated 04/30/24

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