Italian beef sandwich with giardinieras
FOOD NEWS
Ranking Store-Bought Giardinieras For Your Italian Beef Sandwich
BY NEALA BRODERICK
9. Vertullo
This giardiniera has delicious green olives, but it smells off. Also, the cauliflower was too soft, and the carrots and celery were inconsistent in flavor and texture.
The veggie chunks were so huge it was difficult to scoop them out of the jar, and the brine was overwhelmingly vinegary. It is good for a budget, as a 16 ounce jar costs under $4.
8. B&G
This 32 oz. jar is full of huge chunks of veggies with a nice crunch, but the brine was nearly tasteless, carrying only a faint whisper of vinegar and virtually no spices.
7. Jeff's Garden
This giardiniera has an overly sour tang that hits your nose the moment you open the jar, and the vinegar base has a weird mustiness that you can't shake.
On the plus side, this giardiniera has a little bit of heat thanks to the pepper seeds, and veggies have a nice crunch. However, the flavor is sharp and sour with no balance.
6. Sophia
Sophia's giardiniera has good, crunchy vegetables and a bold texture thanks to thick crinkle-cut carrots. The flavor is mild, but adds a nice acidity to a beef sandwich.
5. Mezzetta
This giardiniera has all of the typical veggies in its 16 oz. jar and is very vinegary. While it delivers on crunch and tang, there's a distinct lack of seasoning.