Giardiniera Dip
This easy giardiniera dip turns a jar of Italian pickled vegetables into a tangy, creamy appetizer in about 10 minutes. It works equally well as a cream cheese spread for sandwiches, bagels, and crackers - same recipe, just chop the giardiniera a little finer if you want a smoother texture. Whether you grew up eating giardiniera in Chicago or you're trying it for the first time, this is the recipe that makes converts.
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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.
Step Four: Let it Soften Before Serving
Before serving, take the dip out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This softens it slightly, which makes it easier to spread on crackers or scoop with pita - and it lets the flavors warm up a little so they come through more clearly.
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: Giardiniera dip 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.
- Charcuterie pairing: Serve alongside a charcuterie board for a Chicago-Italian appetizer spread
- Italian Sides: Great alongside other Italian-inspired sides like our Italian Pasta Salad or Grinder White Bean Salad
Can You Use Giardiniera Dip as a Spread?
Absolutely - and many readers do. The same recipe works as a giardiniera cream cheese spread for sandwiches, bagels, and crackers, with no changes needed. The texture is naturally thick enough to spread without running, and the flavor holds up beautifully against bread and deli meats.
Here are a few ways to use it as a spread:
- Italian sandwiches: Spread on a hoagie roll with deli ham, salami, provolone, and a few extra giardiniera vegetables on top. It's a Chicago-style flavor combination that doesn't need anything else.
- Cream cheese bagels: Spread on a toasted everything bagel for a savory breakfast or lunch. Great alongside scrambled eggs.
- Cracker spreads: For an appetizer board, spread it on Ritz, Triscuits, or crostini and top with a small piece of pickled vegetable for color.
- Wraps and pinwheels: Spread on a flour tortilla, layer with deli meats and lettuce, roll tight, and slice into pinwheels.
- Charcuterie board: Place a small bowl of it next to cured meats, hard cheeses, and crusty bread. Guests can spread it themselves.
Giardiniera Dip FAQs
Is Giardiniera Dip Spicy?
It depends on which giardiniera you use. Mild giardiniera (the kind I use in this recipe) gives the dip a tangy, briny flavor with very little heat - most people would call it kid-friendly. Hot giardiniera contains chili peppers and will give the dip a noticeable kick. If you're unsure about your guests' spice tolerance, start with mild and put a small bottle of hot sauce on the side.
Can I Use Hot Giardiniera Instead of Mild?
Yes, and it's a great variation. Use the same amount (8 oz) and drain it well - hot giardiniera tends to have more oil in the jar, which can make the dip looser if you don't drain thoroughly. If you want a milder version of "hot," use half mild and half hot. The flavor balance stays the same; only the heat changes.
Can I Make Giardiniera Dip Ahead of Time?
Absolutely - in fact, this dip is better made ahead. The flavors need at least an hour to meld, and overnight is even better. I usually make it the morning of (or the night before) a party. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to soften it slightly.
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.
Variations and Substitutions
Once you've made the base recipe a few times, it's easy to play with. Here are some of my favorite ways to change it up:
- Hot Giardiniera Version: Swap mild giardiniera for hot to give the dip a chili-pepper kick. Drain the jar well - hot giardiniera tends to be oilier.
- Extra Garlic: Add a third garlic clove or a small spoonful of minced roasted garlic for a deeper, mellower flavor. Especially good if you're serving it with crusty bread.
- Dairy-Free / Vegan: Substitute the cream cheese with a plain dairy-free cream cheese (Kite Hill and Violife both work well) and swap the mayonnaise for vegan mayo. The texture stays the same.
- Italian Sub Spread: Stir in a few tablespoons of finely chopped salami or pepperoni and a pinch of Italian seasoning. Spread on a hoagie roll for an instant Italian sub vibe.
- Olive and Pepperoncini: Add 2 tablespoons of chopped Castelvetrano olives and a few slices of chopped pepperoncini to lean into the antipasto flavor. Great on a
Looking for more easy dip recipes? Try these reader favorites:
Mississippi Pot Roast Dip | Easy Crack Chicken Dip | Cream Cheese Dessert Dip | Fruit Kabobs with Cream Cheese Dip
Giardiniera Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz Giardiniera drained and diced
- 8 oz 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 the cream cheese with a hand mixer on medium-low speed until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the giardiniera, mayonnaise, red onion, garlic, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Beat until fully combined. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving — overnight is even better for flavor.
- Let the dip sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy with crackers, pita, or bread
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