Pickle Sandwich: Making Jimmy John's Picklewich at Home

Name: Homemade Picklewich Sandwich (Jimmy John's Clone)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 servings
Ingredients: 1 Jumbo Kosher Dill Pickle; 1 slice White American cheese (cut in half); 1 tbsp. Mayonnaise; 1 tsp. Mustard; 4 Genoa Salami Slices; 4 Sandwich Size Pepperoni Slices; 2 tbsp. Shredded Green Leaf Lettuce; Splash of Red Wine Vinegar; Salt + Black Pepper (to taste); 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning; 2 Hot Chili Peppers (chopped)

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The Picklewich is a hollowed kosher dill pickle stuffed with layers of salami, pepperoni, American cheese, lettuce, and chili peppers, then wrapped and sliced—a savory cold sandwich that replaces bread entirely with a tangy pickle shell.

🏷️Pickle sandwich

Total

5 min

Servings

1

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Sliceofjess

11 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Cut the pickle in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and create a deep indent for the ingredients to stuff into. Then dab the insides dry with a paper towel to get rid of any access moisture.
2
Slather one side of the hollowed out pickle with mayonnaise and the other side with mustard. Then stack the salami, pepperoni, and cheese together. Fold in half lengthwise to fit the size of the pickle. Set aside.
3
Add lettuce to the mayonnaise side of the pickle. Splash with red wine vinegar and season with salt, pepper, and Italian Seasoning. Add the hot chili peppers to the mustard side of the pickle. Then top with the meat and cheese stack. While holding together, place the meat and cheese stack side of the pickle on top of the lettuce side of the pickle.
4
Wrap tightly in parchment paper and cut in half. Enjoy immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Dry the pickle cavity thoroughly with paper towels after scooping—excess moisture is the biggest cause of a soggy, falling-apart sandwich.
Fold the meat and cheese stack lengthwise before stuffing so it fits snugly inside the pickle without poking out.
Wrap tightly in parchment paper before cutting—this holds everything together and makes it easier to eat without the filling spilling out.
Assemble just before eating; the longer it sits, the softer the pickle becomes and flavors begin to dilute.

Substitutions

Genoa salami → prosciutto or capicola (lighter, different flavor profile)
White American cheese → provolone or cheddar (firmer texture, stronger taste)
Hot chili peppers → jalapeño slices or red pepper flakes (adjust spice level)
Red wine vinegar → white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar (milder acidity)

Storage & make-ahead

Wrap tightly in parchment paper and refrigerate up to 2 hours; consume immediately for best texture and flavor.

Common Questions

Can I use a regular dill pickle instead of jumbo?

Jumbo kosher dills work best because they're large enough to hollow out without falling apart. Smaller pickles won't hold enough filling.

Why do you scrape out the seeds?

Removing seeds creates a deeper cavity for stuffing and reduces excess moisture that can make the sandwich soggy.

How long does a Picklewich keep?

Eat immediately after assembling. If wrapped tightly, it will keep refrigerated for up to 2 hours, but the pickle softens and filling flavors meld over time.