Hot Italian Giardiniera

4.8
(272)
223 Reviews
37 Photos

This hot giardiniera relish is wonderful on Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches, hot dogs, pasta, or even as a pizza topping. You can even snack on it if you choose. Once you taste it, you will figure out what you prefer to use it on.

Submitted by PHONETEK
Updated on November 9, 2023
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Prep Time:
45 mins
Additional Time:
2 days 8 hrs
Total Time:
2 days 8 hrs 45 mins
Servings:
10
Jump to Nutrition Facts

This giardiniera recipe is the perfect way to add flavor and color to any dish. 

What Is Giardiniera? 

Giardiniera is Italian pickled vegetables that’s usually served as a relish. Ingredients can vary, but it usually includes peppers, celery, carrots, and cauliflower in vinegar and/or olive oil. 

What Is In Giardiniera? 

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this homemade giardiniera recipe: 

  • Vegetables: For this colorful giardiniera recipe, you’ll need green and red bell peppers, jalapeños, celery, a carrot, an onion, and cauliflower florets. You’ll also need a jar of pimento-stuffed green olives. 
  • Salt: Salt adds flavor and helps preserve the giardiniera. 
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic takes the flavor up a notch. 
  • Seasonings: Season the giardiniera with dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. 
  • Vinegar and oil: You’ll need a cup of white vinegar and a cup of olive oil for this giardiniera. 
hot italian giardiniera in jars and on an italian beef sandwich

Allrecipes Video

How to Make Giardiniera

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade giardiniera: 

  1. Mix the fresh vegetables together, stir in the salt, then cover with cold water. 
  2. Refrigerate overnight, then drain and rinse the vegetables. 
  3. Mix the olives, garlic, and dried seasonings, then stir in the vinegar and olive oil
  4. Combine with the vegetable mixture, cover, and refrigerate for two days. 

How to Use Giardiniera

The classic way to serve giardiniera is on Italian beef sandwiches, but the crisp pickled veggies work well with just about any rich meat. It also works well on charcuterie boards or served as a side dish alongside your favorite Italian entrees. 

Test Kitchen Tips

This recipe is the “perfect excuse to stop buying store-bought giardiniera and make your own,” according to culinary expert Nicole McLaughlin (a.k.a. NicoleMcMom). Here are some of her best tips: 

  • If eight jalapenos seems like a lot, you can easily cut down to make this giardiniera more mild. 
  • When you jar the giardiniera, make sure the liquid goes all the way to the top. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“I've lived in Chicago for over 30 years and have become hooked on hot giardiniera,” says one Allrecipes community member. “This is hands down the best one ever. I have made it about a dozen times and everyone I know loves when I have a new batch ready.”

“Fantastic,” raves thestashek. “I eat it right out of the jar.”

“Recipe is excellent,” according to April Knebel. “We have decided to try more veggies next time such as radishes and asparagus.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 10 servings

  • 2 green bell peppers, diced

  • 2 red bell peppers, diced

  • 8 fresh jalapeño peppers, sliced

  • 1 celery stalk, diced

  • 1 medium carrot, diced

  • 1 small onion, chopped

  • ½ cup fresh cauliflower florets

  • ½ cup salt

  • 1 (5 ounce) jar pimento-stuffed green olives, chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano

  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 cup white vinegar

  • 1 cup olive oil

Directions

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Place green and red peppers, jalapeños, celery, carrots, onion, and cauliflower in a large bowl. Stir in salt, then fill with enough cold water to cover. Place plastic wrap or aluminum foil over the bowl; refrigerate for 8 hours to overnight.

  3. Drain salty water; rinse vegetables and set aside.

  4. Mix together olives, garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Pour in vinegar and olive oil; mix well. Combine with vegetable mixture; cover and refrigerate for 2 days before using.

    close up view of Hot Italian Giardiniera in jars with peppers in the foreground
    D3monic

Editor's Note:

Nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of brine ingredients. The actual amount of brine consumed will vary.

409 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

233 Calories
24g Fat
6g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 10
Calories 233
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 24g 30%
Saturated Fat 3g 16%
Sodium 306mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 1g 2%
Vitamin C 60mg 67%
Calcium 31mg 2%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 210mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.