Giardiniera: The Feisty Condiment
January 11, 2023

Oddly enough, the world of condiments has a lot of similarities to high school. Ketchup is the jock; always around, getting into the middle of everything but typically doesn’t have a lot of depth or finesse. Mustards are the popular cheerleaders; adding a unique spin but often are overpowering and dominate anything they come in contact with. Mayonnaise is the Teacher’s Pet; subtle, a little bland and needs validation from others. And finally, Giardiniera, definitely a feisty, sassy Rebel; doesn’t care what others think, bringing their own spice and flavor to everything.
What is giardiniera?
The easiest answer is simply pickled vegetables. Having said that, there is nothing simple about good giardiniera. Pronounced “jar-din-air-ah”, this iconic Chicago condiment traces its root back to Italy. It’s pretty safe to say it arrived with the wave of Italian immigrants in the late 1800s, who settled in Chicago.
Fresh vegetables, like carrots, cauliflower, celery, and peppers, both mild and spicy varieties, are pickled in vinegar to give it all a nice twang while still keeping a delicious crunch. After that, the pickled veggies are packed in jars with good olive oil to marinate and develop even more flavor. We make two versions, mild and spicy, and trust us, our spicy version packs a wallop!
What do you put giardiniera on?
What can’t you put it on is the better question! Try adding a small bowl of it to your next charcuterie board; the acidic veggies are a great accent to rich, creamy cheeses. Plop a spoonful on top of a juicy grilled burger or Italian sausage. Mix some into mayonnaise and spread it on a ham sandwich. Chop the veggies even finer and mix them into deviled eggs. If you’re having an Italian beef sandwich, you HAVE to have lots of giardiniera in order for it to be authentic. And don’t get us started on the joy of adding plenty of it to pizza!
Do you need to refrigerate giardiniera?
You don’t need to refrigerate it as long as all the vegetables are submerged in oil. If any is sticking above the oil, pop it into the fridge. However, you’ll find the oil may solidify so before you serve it, bring it up to room temperature.

Since 1950, Tenuta’s has been family-owned and operated at 3203 52nd Street in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The Tenuta family takes great pride in offering a wide variety of Italian groceries, wine, spirits, beer, cigars, and a famous deli that has been a go-to designation for many celebrity visitors. Before you visit we encourage you to also check out our specials and recipe sections on our website!
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