For Better Sandwiches, Marcus Samuelsson Swears By One Ingredient

Award-winning chef Marcus Samuelsson's European and Ethiopian roots give him a diverse culinary repertoire to draw from, and he applies his wisdom and creativity to the beloved sandwich by recommending the addition of pickled cabbage. While Samuelsson puts pickled cabbage on his Vietnamese banh mi, he asserts that this pickled vegetable is a staple you should always have in your fridge to embellish a wide variety of different sandwiches.

Cabbage is already a hearty veggie that's a famous lettuce swap for better burgers and salads. It brings a satisfying crunch to salads and sandwiches without wilting or becoming soggy under the weight of condiments, dressings, and sandwich fillings. Pickled cabbage, however, is not only a crunchy sandwich upgrade, but it'll also bring a uniquely tangy, sweet, and spicy profile that'll complement all kinds of savory proteins, veggies, spreads, and condiments. 

Plus, it's easy and fast to make; pickling is a simple process that involves boiling vinegar, sugar, and any spices or seasonings you want, pouring the solution over the cabbage, and letting it stand for about two hours. Once you transfer the pickled cabbage to jars, it'll last up to one month in the fridge. So you can use it on countless sandwiches and have plenty of time to make more on short notice. If you want an even healthier pickled cabbage option, you can always opt for the probiotic-rich sauerkraut. You don't even have to make it home, as there are store-bought sauerkraut options.

A tangy, spicy, slightly sweet pickled cabbage will work well in all kinds of iconic sandwiches. You can pair it with a savory, salty pork bahn mi the way Marcus Samuelsson does. After all, pork and pickled cabbage pair well as indicated by sauerkraut and brats. Pickles are a key ingredient in Cuban sandwiches, and pickled cabbage would be a great pairing for the ham, pork, and Swiss cheese. It'll also cut through the richness of creamy condiments like mayo and mayo-based sandwich fillings like egg salad and chicken salad. You can use pickled cabbage in addition to or as a substitute for pickled giardiniera that adorns Italian-style sandwiches and this New Orlean's favorite, classic muffaletta recipe. You can also use it as a lettuce swap in a turkey club sandwich or instead of coleslaw in a fried chicken sandwich.

Just as you can add a funky element to grilled cheese with kimchi, you can swap the kimchi for pickled cabbage and pair it with sharp cheddar or a rich havarti. Pickled cabbage will also cut through the richness of a grilled cheese sandwich. It'll bring a bright crunch to open-faced sandwiches or breakfast toasts smothered in avocado and topped with fried or poached eggs. Add pickled cabbage to Middle Eastern pita sandwiches like the eggplant-stuffed sabich, or use it in an earthy, comforting falafel pita. It'll pair well with savory condiments like tahini and hummus spreads as well as spicy sauces like zhoug or harissa. There's no end to the kinds of sandwiches that pickled cabbage can make better.