Giardiniera Dip
Whether you're from the Chicago area or just like to visit the city, you probably know what giardiniera is. But did you know you can use it for more than a sandwich topper? With this quick and easy giardiniera dip, you can turn that delicious pickled condiment into an amazing snack for a party! And the best part is that you can prepare this quick and easy spread in a matter of minutes.
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What Do I Need to Make Giardiniera Dip?
This quick appetizer is a great option for any get-together. And since it's low carb and gluten free, it's the perfect snack no matter what diet you're on. But my favorite part about this easy recipe is that you only need a handful of ingredients to make it, including:
- Giardiniera
- Cream cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Minced red onion
- Garlic cloves
- Hot sauce
- Salt and pepper
How Do I Make Giardiniera Dip?
You're going to love how simple this dip recipe is to make. Just follow these three quick steps to prepare your own cream cheese spread for your next party.
Step One: Beat the Cream Cheese
To make a smooth, creamy dip, start with softened cream cheese. Add the cheese to a bowl and beat with a hand mixer on medium low speed until the cheese is fluffy.
Step Two: Mix in Remaining Ingredients
Add the giardiniera, mayonnaise, red onion, garlic, hot sauce, salt and pepper to the bowl. Beat the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth. Add more salt and pepper, if needed, to taste.
Step Three: Chill the Dip
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place the dip in the refrigerator to chill. The dip should be refrigerated for at least an hour before serving, but for the best flavor try letting the dip chill overnight. When ready to serve, allow the dip to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to soften it slightly.
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What is Giardiniera?
Giardiniera is an Italian style pickled vegetable relish. It's typically made with a variety of different vegetables, including cauliflower, carrots, celery, bell peppers, and chili peppers. The relish is made using a two part process - first the vegetables are pickled in vinegar. After the pickling process is complete, the veggies are then marinated in olive oil.
The condiment often comes in mild and hot varieties, which means you can change up the flavor of your dip depending on how hot you want it to be.
After you purchase a jar of giardiniera, you may notice that the veggies come in large pieces inside the jar. You can keep the vegetable pieces as-is, but if you want a smoother dip, it's a good idea to chop the vegetables before mixing them in with the rest of your dip ingredients. Make sure to drain the oil from the jar, then transfer the vegetables to a cutting board to chop them up before preparing your dip.
Where Can I Find Giardiniera?
Since this condiment is made with pickled vegetables, it can be found in the pickle aisle of your grocery store. There are a couple of different brands that make the flavorful topping, including Marconi and Mezzetta.
What Can I Serve with Giardiniera Dip?
This easy dip recipe is great for a party because there are so many different dippers you can serve with it. After whipping up your cream cheese spread, try enjoying your dip with some of these snacks:
- Crackers. One of the best options for serving your giardiniera dip is crackers. And since there are a variety of crackers that pair well with cream cheese, you can have your pick of snacks to serve with your appetizer, including butter crackers, multi-grain crackers, or gluten free nut crackers.
- Bread. Giardinihttp://breadera is often served as a condiment for sandwiches, which means bread is a great option for dipping. Serve slices of French or Italian bread or crunchy breadsticks with your dip.
- Vegetables. For a low carb or healthier snack, try serving your spread with vegetables. Veggies like baby carrots, bell pepper slices, broccoli florets, cauliflower, and carrot slices all make great snacks for dipping.
- Pretzels. Like crackers, pretzels are another delicious salty snack to serve with your dip. Try adding pretzel sticks, pretzel chips, or soft pretzel bites to the tray with your dip at your next party.
- Chips. You can't go wrong when you serve chips with dip! Since this dip is made with cream cheese, a sturdy chip like corn chips, tortilla chips, or potato chips with ridges are the best options.
How Do You Store Giardiniera Dip?
Leftover dip can be stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to eat it again. Transfer it to an airtight container and keep it chilled and the dip will stay good for up to three days.
You can also keep the dip in the freezer for long-term storage. Place the dip in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container and it will stay good for up to three months. To defrost the frozen dip, let it sit on the counter overnight.
Giardiniera Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz jar Giardinerra* drained and diced
- 8 oz package cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red onion minced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce Franks works great
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Beat cream cheese with a mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in remaining ingredients until fully combined. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover and chill the dip in the refrigerator for an hour before serving, or overnight to help the flavors marinate.
- Allow the dip to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite crackers or bread, enjoy!
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