Yes, You Can Replace Sandwich Bread with Pickles — Here’s How

The internet is having a love affair with pickles.

If I had to name a flavor that was representative of current food trends, it might be dill pickle. Major brands are making dill pickle-flavored snacks, and social media is rife with pickle trends — ranging from various iterations of fried pickle dips to chamoy pickles. We even covered one of the most recent and unusual fads, glitter pickles.

I won’t say that everyone needs to be making glitter pickles at home, but there is one trend that any major pickle fan should know about, especially if on the lookout for new ways to enjoy these tangy, crunchy vegetables: pickle sandwiches.

Related: You Should Quick-Pickle Your Vegetables

To set the record straight, a pickle sandwich is when you replace the bread of a sub-style sandwich with two halves of a large, whole pickle. The pickle is sliced lengthwise, with your deli meats and other toppings of choice sandwiched in between. Although pickle sandwiches went viral on Instagram and TikTok in 2024 — so much so that Jimmy John’s even started selling its own limited-time version — they’ve popped up before, like in 2019 when a sub shop in Haddon, New Jersey went viral for its sandwiches on pickle “buns.”

Besides being another delicious way to enjoy pickles, these sandwiches can also be a godsend for people with dietary restrictions. If you’re gluten-free or diabetic, using pickles instead of bread could allow you to still enjoy a sub — and if a restaurant usually only offers lettuce wraps as a wheat-free alternative, pickles are certainly a more interesting option.

Whether you want to try this trend because you love pickles, can’t have bread, or both, there are a few techniques and tips you can use to ensure that you have the best pickle sandwich possible.

Hollow out the pickles

Almost every content creator making a pickle sandwich takes one key step to start: hollowing out the interior of the pickle. This requires slicing the pickle lengthwise into two halves, and then scooping out the middle with a spoon.

This is important for two reasons. Because a pickle isn’t as big as a sub sandwich roll, hollowing out the inside allows more space for your fillings. And nestling the deli meat and other toppings into an indentation will also help prevent them from moving around and falling out of the sandwich.

At the same time, make sure you don’t remove too much of the pickle’s interior; it should still provide plenty of flavor and have a solid structure. For optimal results, leave the pickle about ½ – ¾ of an inch thick all the way around.

Match the protein to the pickle

Because pickles pack way more of a punch than bread, the balance of flavors in a pickle-wich will be different. A full-sour pickle, which is fermented in a salt and water brine for an extended period of time, will, naturally, be very salty, which might not pair well with cured meats that also have a high salt content. If you’re using full-sour pickles, you should use a more neutral deli meat, like turkey or chicken breast. Smoked poultry or something with a sweet glaze would go especially well with the briny, salty, sour flavor of these pickles. Some full-sours aren't quite as crunchy, so make sure you choose a good quality pickle to ensure it can support the structure of a sandwich.

Chef David Cusato of Joey Roses sandwich shop in New York City — a sandwich and pickle expert — suggests opting for half-sour if you’re using cured deli meats. “They bring this bright, tangy flavor [with] a gentler acidity that cuts through the richness of those salty cured meats like prosciutto and salami," he says. "It's all about balance! Full-sours can be a bit too intense with a sharp, vinegary bite almost competing with the saltiness of the meat.  Half-sours, on the other hand, complement the flavors of the meat and create a more harmonious overall taste. Plus, they've got that awesome crunch!”

Of course, many store-bought dill pickles are brined in vinegar, which keeps them very sour. However, they might have varying levels of salinity. In this case, taste the pickle first and then opt for the flavor profile that makes the most sense to you. Personally, I prefer pairing sour dill pickles with a more mild turkey, but the punchy flavor of salami might stand up well to their strong taste.

Apply thin layers of condiments

When you’re building a sandwich on bread, the condiments serve two purposes: they provide flavor, and prevent the sandwich from being dry. But if you’re crafting a sandwich from pickles, there’s already a lot of moisture in the dish — so you need to apply very thin layers of condiments on a pickle sandwich or risk making the whole ensemble too wet and messy.

Spread just enough of the condiments of your choice so that you can taste them. It’s even better if you can put them in the very middle of the sandwich, like on a slice of cheese. This way, you can avoid making the two halves of the pickle too slippery.

Choose your toppings wisely

When planning out the sandwich you want to build between two pickle slices, Chef Cusato recommends reflecting on other deli classics. “First, think about a sandwich you absolutely love — one that always hits the spot," he suggests. "What kind of pickle usually goes with it? Gather those ingredients for that sandwich and get ready to build it in reverse, with the pickle as your foundation.” So, if you usually order an Italian-style sub with spicy pickles, consider using a spicy pickle as the base of your creation, with cured meats sandwiched inside.

Related: How to Make Pickles

Rich ingredients will especially complement the sour taste of the pickles. Bacon, mozzarella, provolone, or avocado would all work well. On the other end of the spectrum, I wouldn’t add any other pickled items into the sandwich — so skip the banana peppers.

Finally, focus on choosing some items that will prevent everything inside the sub from falling out. Shredded lettuce will have more grip, so putting that directly beneath the pickle is a great idea, and thinly sliced onions would also work well.

Armed with all of these tips, you should be prepared to go forth and build the best pickle sandwich of your life.

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