Viral Pickle Sandwich
Move over, grilled cheese – there’s a new favorite in town! This Viral Pickle Sandwich is just as crave-worthy as social media says it is. Every bite of this low carb pickle sandwich is crunchy, cheesy, briny, and loaded with delicious fillings – perfect for keto and gluten-friendly lunches or anyone looking to switch things up!
Serve this cheese and pickle sandwich with your favorite sandwich sides – from crispy potato fries, crunchy coleslaw, and creamy cold pasta salad. Whether you’re interested in trying out an internet sensation or crave a sandwich without the carb crash, this is the sandwich you’ll want to make again and again.
What is a Viral Pickle Sandwich?
A viral pickle sandwich is exactly what it sounds like – a sandwich where large pickles and melty cheese replace the bread! It first took off on TikTok and Instagram as a low-carb, crunchy, and quirky alternative to traditional sandwiches, and you’ll see why – they’re crave-worthy good!
The pickle sandwich slices are suspended in melted shredded cheese until crispy and golden. They’re cooled to firm up as a delicious sandwich bread alternative to hold all kinds of sandwich fillings, including deli ham, thinly sliced tomatoes, onions, and lettuce.
Once assembled, these pickle sandwiches are carefully cut in half, ready to be devoured with your favorite sides.
Do you love fun alternatives to classic sandwiches, like these Turkey Sandwich Kebabs or Sushi Sandwiches? If so, this viral pickle sandwich is going to become a new favorite!
Ingredients needed to make Viral Pickle Sandwich Recipe
- Pickle slices: You’ll need 16 large dill pickle slices (4 per sandwich slice) and shredded cheese. I’ve used Monterey Jack cheese, but you can use any other cheese that melts well.
- Sandwich fillings: These sandwiches are layered with a spread of honey mustard, butter lettuce leaves, thinly sliced deli ham, and thinly sliced large heirloom tomatoes. Also red onion slices!
- Seasoning: I’ve sprinkled cracked black pepper over the sandwich fillings, but you could also use a light sprinkling of kosher salt, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or even a ranch seasoning.
How do you make a Viral Pickle Sandwich?
Prepare the pickle slices:
- While the oven preheats, dry the pickle slices between paper towels and press gently. This helps to remove any excess pickles.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper which is to be divided into 4 quadrants.
Make the sandwich-style pickle slices:
- Place ½ cup of shredded cheese in each quadrant, followed by 4 slices of pickles over each pile of cheese. Top the pickles with another ½ cup of cheese.
- Bake the cheesy pickle slices for 20 minutes. Once done, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cheese pickle slices cool for 10 minutes. The slices will crisp up as they cool.
Assemble the sandwich:
- Once the cheese pickle slices have cooled, spread a layer of honey mustard over each slice.
- Then, add a layer of soft butter leaf lettuce on top.
- Add a few pieces of soft deli ham, a few sliced red onions, and 2 large tomato slices.
- Add fresh black cracked pepper and then close the sandwich with another cheese pickle slice.
Cut the sandwiches and serve:
- Cut each assembled pickle sandwich carefully in half, and serve!
Serving
Add a side of fries, Baked Curry Sweet Potato Fries, or Crispy Smashed Potatoes to this viral cheese and pickle onion sandwich. If you want to keep your meal low-carb, pair it with Air Fryer Zucchini Parmesan and Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip.
This summer Avocado Pasta Salad, Creamy Jalapeno Coleslaw, and Charred Grilled Corn Salad are perfect complements to this pickle sandwich.
Complete the meal with these refreshing and Easy Watermelon Skewers.
Sandy’s tips and substitutions:
- Storage: These low carb pickle sandwiches should be eaten immediately once assembled.
- Switch up the fillings: Feel free to spread avocado mash on these sandwiches with and add other delicious sandwich layers, such as thin cucumber slices, pickled onions, jalapenos, deli turkey, and arugula.
- Shredded cheese: Mozzarella cheese, Gouda, Parmesan, or cheddar cheese are great options for the cheesy pickle slices. Whatever you use, make sure that it is freshly shredded for the best flavor and melt. The cheese layer must be thick enough to hold the pickles, but not so thick that it remains soft in the center.
- Types of pickles: Spicy pickles or bread-and-butter pickles are good alternatives to classic dill pickles. If you aren’t a fan of pickles at all, try sliced zucchini or jalapenos for a kick of heat.
- Vegan-friendly: Use vegan-friendly shredded cheese and replace the deli meat with roasted veggie fillings, such as thinly sliced eggplants, or tofu.
- Dry the pickles: It’s important to dry the pickles very well. Any excess moisture will prevent the cheese from crisping up and you’ll be left with soggy cheese-pickle slices.
- Use freshly shredded cheese: Freshly shredded cheese tastes and melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Cool it: It’s important to allow the cheesy pickle slices to cool for 10 minutes. As they cool, they harden – ideal for holding shape and the sandwich fillings.
- Avoid overfilling the sandwich: Keep the fillings simple and preferably thinly sliced. Keep in mind that this sandwich is being held together with cheese and pickles!
- Protein swaps: Thinly sliced chicken, turkey, or even bacon slices can be used instead of deli ham.
- Drizzle with dressing: Drizzle some ranch dressing, balsamic glaze, or another favorite dressing over the fillings before closing the sandwich.
More Crave-worthy sandwiches you may want to try:
- BLT Bell Pepper Sandwich
- Roasted Strawberry Chicken Sandwich
- Open Face Flank Steak Sandwiches
- Slow Cooker Coke Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Egg Salad with Tuna and Sweet Pickles Sandwich
Get the Recipe:
Viral Pickle Sandwich
Ingredients
- 16 large dill pickle slices
- 4 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- Honey mustard
- Butter leaf lettuce leaves
- 8 oz thin sliced deli ham
- Sliced red onions, very thinly sliced
- Large ripe heirloom tomatoes slices, very thin
- Black cracked pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Pat pickles dry: Lay sandwich-style pickle slices between paper towels and press gently to get the pickles nice and dry.
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. You will be making 4 quadrants (4 squares) – to make “4 pieces of bread” that are made out of cheese and pickles.
- Lay down 4 quadrants of 1/2 cup of cheese, then lay 4 pickle slices on top of each pile of cheese, adding another layer of 1/2 cup of cheese on top. Bake for about 20 minutes.
- Once baked and out of the oven, allow to cool for at least 10 minutes. It crisps as it cools, so don’t rush the process.
- Assemble the sandwich.
- Once cooled, spread a layer of honey mustard, and a layer of soft butter leaf lettuce on top. Add a few pieces of soft deli ham, a few sliced red onions, and 2 large tomato slices. Add fresh black cracked pepper and then close the sandwich with another pickle/cheese layer on top. Cut in half (carefully).
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
