Copycat Jimmy John’s Pickle Sandwich Recipe (No Bread!)
Pickle lovers take note! This delicious low carb sandwich will be your go-to lunch from now on. Once you learn how to make this pickle sandwich recipe, you'll never go back to bread again. Fill a full-sized pickle with your favorite sandwich ingredients to whip up this delicious picklewich at home any time you want.
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Reasons Why You Will Love This Pickle Sandwich
This copycat Jimmy John's Pickle Sandwich recipe is about to become your next obsession. Say goodbye to bread and hello to this low-carb, flavor-packed delight. Here's why you'll fall head over heels for this picklewich:
- A Deli-Style Treat with a Twist: Who needs bread when you have the crunch and tang of a full-sized pickle? This picklewich gives you all the deli sandwich goodness you crave with a unique, tangy upgrade. It's a fresh and satisfying way to elevate your sandwich game.
- Perfect for Pickle Lovers: If pickles are your ultimate snack, this sandwich is a dream come true. The pickle isn't just a garnish here; it's the star of the show! Every bite is infused with that mouthwatering dill flavor you adore.
- Low Carb and Keto Friendly: Watching your carb intake? The pickle sandwich is a delicious way to enjoy a satisfying lunch without the bread. It's perfect for anyone following a low-carb or keto diet while still craving a hearty, flavorful meal.
- Quick and Easy to Make: Don't have time to prepare an elaborate lunch? No problem. This picklewich comes together in minutes with just a handful of common sandwich ingredients. All you need is a large pickle, your favorite fillings, and a few quick steps.
- Fully Customizable: The best part about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. The classic version includes turkey, tomato, red onion, American cheese, romaine lettuce, and mayo, but you can swap out ingredients as you like.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
What Do I Need to Make this Pickle Sandwich Recipe?
Skip the bread and build a low carb sandwich that's packed with flavor. All you need is a pickle and a handful of common sandwich ingredients to put together this dill-packed lunch item in minutes. To make your own picklewich, you'll need:
- Large pickle
- Real mayonnaise
- Turkey lunch meat
- Tomato
- Red onion
- American cheese
- Large leave romaine lettuce
How Do I Make this Pickle Sandwich Recipe?
The internet was quick to make this viral TikTok trend famous because it's delicious and easy to make! Simply grab a pickle and your go-to sandwich ingredients to throw this unique recipe together in minutes. Follow these quick and easy instructions to make your own pickle sandwich right now:
Step One: Prep the Pickle
Start by grabbing your large pickle and cutting it in half lengthwise. Then, use a spoon to gently scoop out the center seed portion of the pickle. Be careful not to scoop too deep because you want to leave some of the filling for support for your sandwich ingredients. After that, use a paper towel to dab the center of each pickle to soak up some of the extra juice. To help the sandwich sit flat, pick up one of the pickle halves and use a knife to trim the bottom until there is a flat layer.
Step Two: Add the Meat
Spread the mayonnaise on the inside of one of the pickle halves. Then, fold the lunch meat to fit inside the pickle and place it in the hole, allowing a bit of the meat to hang over the edges.
Step Three: Top with Veggies
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Use a knife to cut the tomato slices and onion slices in half and place those on top of the meat, starting with the tomato.
Step Four: Add Some Cheese
Slice each piece of cheese in half and place it to the sandwich, then top the cheese with a piece of lettuce. Carefully place the other pickle half on top of the sandwich, then press toothpicks into each end and center of the sandwich. Make sure to push the toothpicks all the way through to the bottom pickle to hold all the toppings in place. Then, cut the picklewich in half and enjoy!
How Do You Store a Pickle Sandwich?
Since pickles are filled with juice, this sandwich can get soggy fast. That's why it's not a good idea to store your picklewich. It's best enjoyed right after it's prepared.
If you can't finish the sandwich, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just keep in mind that it may get soft the longer it sits in the fridge.
Can I Make a Pickle Sandwich Ahead of Time?
It's not a good idea to prepare your sandwich ahead of time because the sandwich fillings will start to get soggy the longer they sit inside the pickles. If you need to prepare the sandwich in advance to enjoy on your lunch hour, try prepping all the ingredients and storing them separate from the pickle. Then, prepare the pickle for stuffing. When you're ready to eat your sandwich, simply stack the ingredients inside the prepared pickle and enjoy!
What Kind of Pickles Should I Use?
When making your own pickle sandwich at home, it's best to pick large dill pickles as your "buns." The larger the pickle, the bigger your sandwich will be!
As you shop for pickles at the grocery store to make your sandwiches, look for dill pickles that are wide and thick. This will make stacking your sandwich much easier.
Copycat Jimmy John’s Picklewitch Substitutions
This delicious sandwich idea started at the sandwich chain Jimmy John's. And that means that there are plenty of ways to customize your own sandwich when you're making it at home. Try these recipe ideas as you're preparing your own pickle sandwich to create an amazing low carb meal.
- Use different sauce. Mayo is a classic sandwich topping, but there are so many other delicious sauces you can use in its place. Try adding yellow mustard, ketchup, Dijon mustard, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or red wine vinegar.
- Try different meats. Turkey is a great staring point because it pairs perfectly with pickles. You can also try your picklewich with ham, salami, roast beef, bacon, or shredded chicken.
- Add different vegetables. Any of the veggies on your pickle sandwich can be swapped out for your favorite sandwich toppings. Try adding olives, sprouts, banana peppers, jalapenos, microgreens, or spinach.
- Make it with different cheeses. While American cheese is a great option for any sandwich, there are tons of delicious cheeses to choose from! Swap out the American cheese for provolone, Swiss, Monterrey jack, Colby, or cheddar cheeses.
Copycat Jimmy John’s Pickle Sandwich Recipe (No Bread!)
Equipment
- Toothpicks (I use 3 per pickle)
- Paper Towels
Ingredients
- 1 Large Pickle
- 1 Tablespoon Real Mayo
- 2 Slices Turkey Lunch Meat
- 1 Large Slice Tomato
- 1 Large Slice Red Onion
- 1 Slice American Cheese
- 1 Large Leaf Romaine Lettuce
Instructions
- Slice the pickle in half, long ways.
- Use a spoon to gently scoop out the middle seed portion of the pickle. Don’t scoop too deep as you want to leave some filling for support.
- Use a paper towel to dab the pickles to dry them a bit.
- Choose the pickle half that will be on the bottom. If it’s not sitting flat, flip it over so the outside of the pickle is facing up and use a knife to trim the bottom so it will sit flat.
- Spread the mayo on the inside of the pickle where you scooped out the seeds.
- Fold the lunch meat and place it in the hole, with a bit hanging over each side.
- Cut the tomato and onion slices in half and add those to the sandwich, starting with the tomato. It will start getting tall at this point, so be careful it doesn’t fall apart on you.
- Cut the cheese slice in half and add it to the sandwich before adding the lettuce.
- Have the toothpicks ready and add the top of the pickle, lining it up with the other pickle half. Slip a toothpick through the top of each end of the pickle pushing it all the way to the bottom of the sandwich, ending with a toothpick in the middle. This will keep it from falling apart.
- Cut in half and enjoy!
Notes
• You can use any sandwich toppings you prefer. You don’t have to stick with the ones I chose.
• Have patience when stacking the sandwich and keeping it together. It can be a little slick, so don’t fret if you run into this issue, it happens to all of us, the toothpicks will be your saving grace.
• It makes things ten times easier to trim the bottom of the pickle half that will be acting as the bottom, before you start, because it’s not really possible after you’ve stacked it - ask me how I know.
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