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Best giardiniera, according to chefs

Four picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from John Kessler, Amanda Topper, Nick Kindelsperger and Neala Broderick. Recommendations come from chicagomag.com, insidehook.com, chicagoist.com and tastingtable.com.

Condiments · The ranking

  1. 1
    Top pick

    Orlando Hot Giardiniera

    Chosen by
    Won Kessler’s 2025 blind tasting of seven Chicago-made hot giardinieras with the only 5/5: “Bright and tangy! The perfect spicy, vinegary, oily, crunchy combination.” The cauliflower and olives stay crisp, and the heat never buries the vinegar. At $4.99 it was the cheapest jar he tried: “Who’d have thought a cheaper brand would upset the fancier takes?”
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: chicagomag.com ↗
  2. 2

    Chicago Johnny’s Hot Giardiniera

    Chosen by
    4.5/5 and second only to Orlando in Kessler’s 2025 blind tasting of seven Chicago-made hot giardinieras: “fantastic, slurpable,” loaded with serrano peppers in an olive-oil base that begs for bread. Handmade in Chicago with carrot, cauliflower and celery.
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: chicagomag.com ↗
  3. 3

    Potbelly Hot Peppers

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    The sandwich chain’s jarred hot giardiniera: serranos and jalapeños in oil with carrot, celery, cauliflower and olives. It won InsideHook’s blind tasting of seven Chicago giardinieras, scored on taste, texture, spice and overall appeal: “its spice, acidity and crunch blew me away.” (It was the only hot jar in a mostly mild field.) Kindelsperger rated it a standout in his 16-jar Serious Eats hot-giardiniera test.
    Where to buy · potbelly.com ↗Instacart ↗Source: insidehook.com ↗
  4. 4

    Kitchen Garden Farm Giardiniera

    Chosen by
    First of nine store-bought jars in Tasting Table’s 2024 ranking for Italian beef: “the gold standard of store-bought giardiniera.” It’s a small-batch Massachusetts jar of cauliflower, carrots and peppers in a garlicky, oil-based brine, with “a fiery zing that kept building as I chewed.”
    Where to buy · kitchengardenfarm.com ↗Instacart ↗Source: tastingtable.com ↗

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Questions, answered

What is the best giardiniera, according to chefs?
MyTastr’s top pick is Orlando Hot Giardiniera, chosen by John Kessler (Chicago magazine dining critic). Won Kessler’s 2025 blind tasting of seven Chicago-made hot giardinieras with the only 5/5: “Bright and tangy! The perfect spicy, vinegary, oily, crunchy combination.” The cauliflower and olives stay crisp, and the heat never buries the vinegar. At $4.99 it was the cheapest jar he tried: “Who’d have thought a cheaper brand would upset the fancier takes?” Source: chicagomag.com ↗
What are the other top picks for giardiniera?
No. 2 is Chicago Johnny’s Hot Giardiniera, chosen by John Kessler (Chicago magazine dining critic). No. 3 is Potbelly Hot Peppers, chosen by Amanda Topper (InsideHook); Nick Kindelsperger (Serious Eats Chicago). Each card above links to the original source.
How does MyTastr choose these picks?
Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.

The tasters behind this ranking

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