• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
She Loves Biscotti
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Maria
  • My Store
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Appetizers » Quick Italian Giardiniera Recipe for Beginners

    Quick Italian Giardiniera Recipe for Beginners

    September 3, 2021 , Updated December 30, 2022 Maria 10 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    A close up photo of Italian Giardiniera in a glass bowl.

    This quick Italian giardiniera recipe is a vinegar-based dish that includes pickled vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, celery, and red bell pepper, along with spices. The thing that makes it so tasty is the marinade of white wine vinegar and water, which tenderizes the vegetables while preserving them for later use.

    Follow these simple steps for the best-pickled vegetables you can make at home!

    A mason jar of Italian giardiniera.
    Jump to:
    • Introduction
    • What is Giardiniera?
    • How do I serve Giardiniera?
    • How to make Giardiniera
    • Additional flavorings
    • Chicago-style giardiniera vs traditional Italian giardiniera
    • Faq
    • Hot water processing
    • Tips
    • Italian Appetizers we love
    • Recipe Inspiration
    • Recipe

    Introduction

    Giardiniera, this pickled mix of vegetables and seasoning that is part of many Italian meals, has always been an important element in my family’s food tradition.

    Whether served as part of an antipasto platter alongside olives, grilled zucchini, marinated eggplant, roasted peppers, or as a side dish to accompany grilled meats like chicken and lamb dishes; giardiniera was always there to make the meal complete.

    These pickled vegetables are convenient to have on hand as they add flavor and crunch.

    With this quick giardiniera recipe, you’ll learn how easy it is to make your own marinated vegetable medley at home!

    It has been my experience that pickled vegetables are either loved or hated. 

    If you are on the fence about this dish, give this homemade giardiniera recipe a try; it might change your mind.

    Not only does this dish look pretty served up on a platter, but it’s also tasty.

    Italian Giardiniera in a dish.

    What is Giardiniera?

    Giardiniera, pronounced as “jar-din-AIR-ah,” can be loosely translated as “from the garden” due to its ingredients. It is a salad containing pickled vegetables, such as cauliflower, carrots, celery and bell peppers. Typically it also includes spices. Giardiniera is a popular dish in Italy that can vary from region to region.

    How do I serve Giardiniera?

    Giardiniera is considered an antipasto, meaning it’s typically served before the main course. Some people also consider giardiniera a side dish, making this pickled veggie salad even better when it can accompany another dish in both capacities.

    How to make Giardiniera

    Making giardiniera is easy and simple. With this quick recipe, you’ll learn how to make your marinated vegetable medley in no time!

    Prepare sterilized jars

    You’ll need to use sterilized jars that have been washed clean. You can place them in boiling water or the oven (225°F/107°C) for at least 10 minutes to sterilize them. Keep them hot until ready to use. While waiting, let’s prep our brine solution and vegetables.  

    Prepare the pickling liquid

    In a small saucepan, combine 1½ cups of cold water, 1½ cups of white wine vinegar, 3 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of Kosher salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and stir for 1-2 minutes to dissolve sugar and salt. Remove from heat.

    Add 1½ teaspoons of dry oregano, 1 bay leaf, and 1 teaspoon of whole peppercorns. Cover and allow to steep for about 10 minutes. While waiting, let’s chop up our vegetables.

    Sliced vegetables to make giardiniera.

    Decide on which vegetables you want to use

    Choose the vegetables you want to pickle based on availability and personal preference. 

    Use any combination but the most common include cauliflower, carrots, celery ribs and red bell peppers. You need about 1 pound (or ½ kilogram) of fresh vegetables.

    Thoroughly wash the vegetables in cold running water and pat dry with paper towels or a clean tea towel so no moisture is left on them.

    Separate the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Slice the celery stalks, red pepper, and carrots.

    Cut vegetables in a bowl.

    Pack vegetables into your jar

    Bring the brining solution back to a boil.

    In the meanwhile, carefully pack the veggies into your hot sterilized jar. Keep going until you’ve packed the vegetables as tightly as possible.

    Carefully top off vegetables with the hot pickling liquid until all veggies are covered. At this point, you may be able to add more veggies to ensure the jar is filled. With the help of a wooden spoon, push down on them to create some space to add some more. 

    Ensure that all vegetables are covered with liquid. Leave a half-inch space between the top of the brine and the lid. 

    Allow the jars to cool down completely to room temperature.

    Then, seal the jars and refrigerate.

    It’s best if you wait at least 24 hours for flavors to develop before enjoying them.

    Italian pickled vegetables in a dish.

    Additional flavorings

    If you want to add a bit more flavor, consider adding some additional ingredients such as:

    • garlic cloves (peeled and slightly crushed)
    • caraway seeds (lightly crushed)
    • coriander seeds
    • celery seeds
    • dill seeds
    • fennel seeds
    • chili flakes
    • dried hot peppers
    • green bell pepper
    • cherry peppers (whole or sliced in half)
    • Serrano peppers
    • green beans
    • fennel bulb (sliced into thin rounds)
    • lemon zest

    You can also simply replace the white wine vinegar with different kinds of white vinegar for added flavor.

    Chicago-style giardiniera vs traditional Italian giardiniera

    Chicago-Style Giardiniera is a more recent addition to the condiment family. It has roots in Italian cuisine but takes on its unique character as it uses different combinations of vegetables, spices, and herbs.

    Traditionally, Italian giardiniera has a base in white wine vinegar. In Chicago-style giardiniera, the vegetables are marinated in olive oil and vinegar.

    In addition to the traditional vegetables marinated in this recipe, other possible ingredients can be added to the Chicago-style condiment, such as hot peppers, garlic cloves, olives, celery seeds, or even dill seeds.

    One final distinction: traditionally, giardiniera accompanies side dishes or is served as an appetizer. On the other hand, the hot giardiniera recipe is often used as a topping for Italian beef or sausage sandwiches, hot dogs or on slices of bread or baguette.

    Faq

    Why sterilize the jars for short-term storage?

    It’s hard to get excited about sterilizing jars. But it is essential because even though these pickled vegetables will be refrigerated, the jars must be sterilized to prevent any harmful bacteria from developing in your final product. These harmful bacteria can ruin your pickling efforts; worse, they can make you sick and nobody wants that! 

    How long do pickled vegetables last?

    Consume these pickled vegetables within 2 weeks of making them. They may be safe to eat for up to 1 month, but the quality may decrease. For longer storage, consider processing in a hot water bath.

    Hot water processing

    • Place the sealed jars in a lukewarm water bath. Ensure the water is at least 1 inch above the jars.
    • Bring the water to a rolling boil and start the timing process. Process for 10 minutes at sea level. If necessary, add boiling water to maintain the water level. Please note that process times can vary based on your altitude. Please refer to this chart for recommendations. GOOD TO KNOW: To prevent rough mineral deposits on the outside of your jars and the inside of your water bath pot, pour about 1/2 cup of white vinegar into your water bath.
    • Safely remove jars from the canner.
    • Inspect jars to ensure a proper seal (lids should be depressed in the center).
    • Store in the pantry or cold room for up to 6 months.

    Tips

    • Thoroughly drying the vegetables helps prevent spoilage of your homemade giardiniera recipe.
    • One pound of vegetables fills 2 pints or a one-quart mason jar. 
    • Use any variety of vegetables such as cauliflower, carrots, peppers, green beans, fennel, etc. 

    Italian Appetizers we love

    Are you looking for something delicious and easy to make as an appetizer for your upcoming Italian dinner? Here are some delicious Italian appetizers to get you started!

    A close up of the marinated mozzarella surrounded with bits of sun dried tomatoes and herbs.

    Mozzarella Balls

    Delight your guests with a scrumptious appetizer that’s as easy to make as impossible to resist – Italian marinated mozzarella balls!

    GET THE RECIPE

    Looking for more appetizer ideas? How about a seafood salad, eggplant caponata or this marinated cauliflower salad? These easy recipes make great starters for any gathering or event – from an elegant dinner party to a casual potluck. And don’t forget to make focaccia!

    Recipe Inspiration

    This is the pickled vegetable recipe from my childhood.

    My mom would refer to it as “giardiniera agrodolce.” As you can probably guess, it is a sweet and sour version of giardiniera and one that I grew up with. 

    Hundreds of variations are available, but this one has been passed down through our family, and I wanted to share it with you!

    Over the years, I have made variations to include different combinations of spices and vegetables, but the truth is that I always come back to this recipe.

    It’s a simple recipe that just tastes great.

    I hope you get a chance to try it.

    And if you are new here, welcome! You may want to sign up for my weekly e-mail newsletter. You can unsubscribe any time you want.

    THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community, where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

    Ciao for now,

    Maria 

    ★★★★★ If you have made this homemade giardiniera, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

    Recipe

    Italian Giardiniera in a dish.

    Quick Italian Giardiniera Recipe for Beginners

    This quick giardiniera recipe is a vinegar-based dish that includes pickled vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, celery, and red bell peppers along with spices.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Save RecipeSaved! Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 517kcal
    Author: Maria Vannelli RD
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound assorted vegetables (see notes) trimmed and cut into small pieces
    • 1½ cups white wine vinegar
    • 1½ cups water
    • 3 tablespoons sugar
    • 2 tablespoons salt
    • 1½ teaspoons oregano dried
    • 1 teaspoon peppercorns whole
    • 1 bay leaf

    Instructions

    Prepare sterilized jars

    • You’ll need to use sterilized jars that have been washed clean. You can place them in boiling water or the oven (225°F/107°C) for at least 10 minutes to sterilize them. Keep them hot until ready to use. While waiting, let’s prep our brine solution and vegetables.  

    Prepare the pickling liquid

    • In a small saucepan, combine the water, wine vinegar, sugar and Kosher salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and stir for 1-2 minutes to dissolve sugar and salt. Remove from heat.
    • Add dry oregano, bay leaf, and whole peppercorns. Cover and allow to steep for about 10 minutes.

    Pack vegetable into your jar

    • Bring the brining solution back to a boil.
    • In the meanwhile, carefully pack the veggies into your hot sterilized jar. Keep going until you’ve packed all of the vegetables as tightly as possible.
    • Carefully top off vegetables with the hot pickling liquid until all veggies are covered. At this point, you may be able to add more veggies to ensure the jar is filled. With the help of a wooden spoon, push down on them to create some space to add some more. 
    • Ensure that all vegetables are covered with liquid. Leave a half-inch space between the top of the brine and the lid. 
    • Allow the jars to cool down completely to room temperature.
    • Then, seal the jars and refrigerate.
    • It’s best if you wait at least 24 hours for flavors to develop before enjoying them.
    Scroll UP for the STEP by STEP PhotosDon’t miss the process shots and videos included in most posts. Simply scroll up the post to find them. Those were created especially for you so that you can make the recipe perfectly every single time you try it.

    Video

    Notes

    • This recipe yields 1 quart. It can easily be doubled. 
    • Thoroughly drying the vegetables helps prevent spoilage of your homemade giardiniera recipe.
    • One pound of vegetables fills 2 pints or a one-quart mason jar. 
    • Use any variety of vegetables such as cauliflower, carrots, peppers, green beans, fennel, etc. 
    • Recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, etc…
    Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 103g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 14214mg | Potassium: 1202mg | Fiber: 21g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 23115IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 223mg | Iron: 8mg
    SIGN UP for Email updates!YES! Send me FREE RECIPES!
    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Reddit
    • Email

    Filed Under: Appetizers, Condiments and Sauces, Side-Dish and Vegetables, Vegetarian

    About Maria

    Maria Vannelli is a registered dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Connie Romeo

      June 28, 2022 at 8:24 am

      5 stars
      hi maria,

      I made the giardiniera recipe, biscotti and roasted bell pepper recipes. Easy to do, great to eat. Thank you for giving us traditional Italian recipes. I’m Italian and didn’t have the chance to learn these same recipes from my Nonna. Thank you thank you thank you.

      Reply
      • Maria

        June 29, 2022 at 8:24 pm

        I am so thrilled to read this! Thanks so much for sharing Connie ♥

        Reply
    2. Laura NAPOLI

      October 13, 2021 at 10:50 pm

      5 stars
      i would like to make this for thanksgiving, how far in advance can i make it? Thank you

      Reply
      • Maria

        October 22, 2021 at 10:04 pm

        Thanks for your interest Laura. These are best if consumed within 2 weeks of making them. I would humbly advise sterilizing the jar if making it that far in advance. Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Renee

      September 05, 2021 at 4:32 am

      5 stars
      I have put this together today and will eagerly await the results after a couple of days!
      I remember having this as a child and was looking for a recipe.
      Thank you Maria!
      Renee

      Reply
      • Maria

        September 05, 2021 at 8:34 am

        My pleasure Renee! It always fascinates me how we crave the foods of our childhood. I’m the same… Enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Meredith

      September 04, 2021 at 7:20 pm

      Hello Maria!
      Is it possible to make this in a bowl rather than jars if it will be consumed within a couple days?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Maria

        September 05, 2021 at 8:36 am

        Thanks for your interest, Meredith. Yes, that is perfectly okay. If possible use a glass or ceramic bowl. Enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Lee

      September 04, 2021 at 4:47 pm

      Hi Maria…..these look so delicious! Can you let me know if these can be preserved for a longer period of time like 6 months. If so what would be the procedure. Thanks

      Reply
      • Maria

        September 05, 2021 at 8:53 am

        Thanks for your interest Lee. Yes, they can be stored for a longer period by using the water bath method. As a summary, start with sterile jars, lids and bands. Fill your jars making sure to top them off with enough pickling liquid. Try to remove air bubbles with a wooden spoon. Place jars in a water bath, completely immersed, and bring the water to a boil. Boil and process for 10 minutes. Adjust for altitude. Remove jars when cool enough to handle, bring to room temperature and store.
        I will update the post this week to include this information as there seems to be a lot of interest in long-term storage. In the meanwhile for more details, feel free to consult this post on canning tomatoes. Thanks again for asking Lee. Enjoy.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Maria from She loves biscotti

    Hi, I'm Maria! a dietitian and full-time content creator. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

    More about me →

    Subscribe and Follow

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    Italian Easter Recipes

    • Braided Easter loaves on a cooling rack.
      Italian Easter Sweet Bread Recipe: Pane di Pasqua
    • A slice of ricotta pie dusted with icing sugar and decorated with a slice lo lemon.
      Ricotta Pie: Perfect for Easter!
    • Rice ricotta Easter pie in a cake stand surrounded by oranges and lemons in the background.
      Rice Ricotta Easter Pie
    • Italian Easter Grain Pie on a cake stand.
      Pastiera Napoletana: Italian Easter Grain Pie
    Banner of sites featuring She Loves Biscotti including Buzzfeed, Huffpost, etc.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About
    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 She Loves Biscotti

    Copyright © 2023

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Read moreOkNo