How To Pickle Banana Peppers For A Tasty Sandwich Topping

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Oftentimes, even a no-frills sandwich is delightful. However, just add on a single unique condiment between the two slices of bread, and the creation gets taken up a notch. There are many delectable flavor options to choose from, but few offer a complex palate quite like pickled banana peppers.

Delightfully acidic, pleasantly sweet, and with a measured dash of heat, they hit several major flavor notes, all without overwhelming your sandwich creation. And while you could certainly purchase a jar of Vlasic Deli-Style Mild Banana Peppers online or at the grocery store, there's merit to crafting a large batch at home. The pepper preparation involves a few components, is easy to scale, and will last in the fridge for several months.

In the most stripped-down form, you only need sugar, salt, vinegar, and some water — as well as the peppers, of course. Mix together the seasonings and liquids, boiling in a saucepan to combine. Work in banana pepper slices, then cool the mixture. From here, you simply need to transfer to a sterilized jar, and you'll have a delicious pickled banana pepper topping at your disposal. The pickling works to preserve the fruit's essence and texture, while extending their shelf-life to whenever you're making a sandwich.

Whether you're using pickled pepperoncini or banana peppers, the first associations that come to mind are likely Italian-American deli-style sandwiches. Indeed, the best Italian subs in the U.S. use precisely such flavor-dense toppings to offer mouthwatering, yet not overly stuffed builds.

They're the perfect complement to a salami sub, filled with classics like lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Or serve them alongside the beefy flavors of a roast beef or even a Chicago style Italian-beef; their palate works akin to the pickled heat in a giardiniera. Use them to balance the heavier flavors of a fried chicken or fish sandwich, helping cut through the fat. Last but not least, don't rule out topping a simple ham or turkey and cheese creation with the pickled pepper: Their palate is dependably a welcome addition.

And if you're ready to infuse your sandwiches with even more flavor, consider throwing additional ingredients into the pickling mix. Mustard and celery seeds lend an extra spice that goes great on sandwiches, while garlic is an earthy addition that's always welcome. So know how to pickle banana peppers, and you'll be ready to upgrade your sandwich builds in no time.