Learn how to make giardiniera two different ways, including my recipes for Italian Giardiniera ,which is chunkier and usually served as an appetizer, and Chicago-Style Giardiniera, which is more finely chopped and used as a condiment for beef sandwiches and more. Giardiniera is a mix of fresh vegetables from the garden mixed in a vinaigrette with lots of seasonings. So delicious. I grew up in the Chicago area. Gotta have my giardiniera.
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Italian Giardiniera Recipe
This Italian giardiniera recipe is the perfect appetizer for your antipasto platter, with loads of garden fresh vegetables tossed in a seasoned vinaigrette. Lots of peppers!
2 bell peppers sliced. Use colorful peppers – you can also use sweet peppers
2 jalapeno peppers sliced
2 serrano peppers (Optional, for a hotter version)
2 medium carrots chopped
2 celery stalks chopped
2 cups cauliflower florets (about 1/2 head of cauliflower)
1/2 cup salt
3 cloves garlic minced
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
Ground pepper
1 cup of white vinegar or half white and half apple cider vinegar
1 cup olive oil + more as needed
Instructions
To a large bowl, add all of the peppers with radishes, carrot, celery and cauliflower. Sprinkle with salt. Cover with water and refrigerate for 12 hours, covered.
Drain and rinse away the brine. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, add garlic, basil, celery seed and ground pepper to taste. Add vinegar and oil and whisk to combine.
Add to your vegetable mixture.
Place it all into jars, ensuring the vegetables are covered with your vinegar/oil mixture.
Refrigerate at least 2 days before using, to allow flavors to mingle. A week is better! Should last you 2-3 weeks.
Chicago-Style Giardiniera Recipe
This Chicago-style giardiniera recipe is the ultimate condiment with fresh peppers and veggies in oil and seasonings, an absolute must for Italian beef sandwiches!
1 cup cauliflower florets chopped (about 1/4 head of cauliflower)
5 jalapeno peppers diced (use bell peppers for mild giardiniera
5 serrano peppers diced (or use sport peppers – optional, for hot giardiniera)
1 medium carrot diced
2 celery stalks diced
1/2 cup salt
1 cup olive oil (extra virgin is best, though you can use vegetable oil)
1 cup vinegar (or use water, like many Chicago giardiniera brands – see the Recipe Notes)
4 cloves of garlic minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper (or to taste)
Ground black pepper (to taste)
1/2 cup green olives chopped
Instructions
To a large bowl, add peppers with cauliflower, peppers, carrots and celery. Sprinkle with salt. Cover with cold water and refrigerate at least 12 hours, covered. I often brine for 24 hours.
Drain and rinse away the brine. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, add garlic, oregano, celery seed, crushed red pepper flakes and ground pepper to taste. Add oil and vinegar (or water) and whisk to combine.
Add to your vegetable mixture.
Add chopped olives and mix well.
Place it all into jars, ensuring the vegetables are covered with your oil mixture.
Refrigerate at least 2 days before using, to allow flavors to mingle. A week is better! Should last you 2-3 weeks.
Notes
Vinegar. Many Chicago-style giardiniera brands do not include vinegar in their recipes, and instead use only oil or oil with some water. Feel free to use either. Your giardiniera will last longer in the refrigerator with vinegar, however, as vinegar is a preservative. The choice is yours.
Check out my printable giardiniera recipes with further notes and discussions.
Italian Style Giardiniera:
Chicago-Style Giardiniera:
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