Viral Pickle Sandwich

5 from 2 votes

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Pickles as bread? Yeah, I know. Sounds like something your keto coworker dreamt up during a middle-of-the-night fridge raid 🥴. But hear me out — this Viral Pickle Sandwich 🥒💥 is crunchy, spicy, creamy, salty, and weirdly … ADDICTIVE! This pickle sandwich feels like it joined a Whole30 commune, found inner peace 🧘, and came back with better skin and a clean inbox 😂. Too much?

No, it’s not traditional. Yes, it’s a little chaotic. But one bite in and suddenly you’re wondering why anyone ever needed bread in the first place.

A sandwich with crispy cheese slices as the bread, layered with turkey, tomato, and eggplant, served on a plate lined with newspaper-print parchment.

Why You’ll Love the Viral Pickle Sandwich

This pickle sandwich isn’t just viral — it’s actually good. Like, make-it-again-immediately kind of good. It’s low-carb without being sad and it’s bold enough to make your usual turkey sandwich feel like it needs a personal coach.

You get the crisp snap of tangy pickles, the creamy heat of spicy mayo, and that savoury, melty cheddar moment that ties it all together. Juicy tomatoes and sharp red onions add a fresh crunch, while microgreens bring a light, peppery lift. Plus, they’re just super cute, aren’t they? Every bite hits with salty, spicy, crunchy goodness.

Ingredients

  • Cheddar cheese: The bold, the beautiful, the melty, the legen-dairy 🧀. Okay, okay we’ll stop. Choose a good-quality block and grate it yourself for the best payoff.
  • Sandwich pickles: The real MVPs. Thin-cut and sturdy — these pickles are the sandwich. Look for ones with a little crunch and attitude (read: not floppy).
  • Spicy mayo: This adds the perfect amount of heat to tie everything together. Make your own homemade spicy mayo or grab your favourite bottled version for quick assembly.
  • Microgreens: Tiny but mighty. These little guys bring a fresh bite that cuts through the richness and gives your sandwich that I shop at the farmer’s market energy 🌱.
  • Turkey: Lean and protein-packed. Basically the calm, neutral friend in this sandwich full of bold personalities 💪.
  • Tomato: Juicy and bright 🍅. A slice or two adds just the right amount of freshness and acidity.
  • Red onions: These add some more zin but feel free to leave them out.

Nonna’s Tip 🥒

Be on the lookout out for lower-sodium ingredient options since the sandwich can quickly get salty with the pickles.

A hand holds a pickle sandwich made with crispy, golden plantain slices instead of bread, filled with tomato, cheese, greens, and white vegetable slices, all set on a wooden table in bright sunlight.

Variations and Substitutions for the Viral Pickle Sandwich

  1. If you’re not the biggest fan of pickles, try subbing for zucchini or jalapeños instead. Same texture, different font.
  2. For plant-based, swap the turkey for tofu, tempeh bacon, or even roasted chickpeas if you want that extra crunch 🌱. Use vegan cheese and spicy vegan mayo to keep the vibes going.
  3. If you’re not a turkey person, swap it for ham, chicken, or even a few slices of salami if you’re feeling spicy. Basically, if it’s deli meat, it’ll work.
  4. Go with regular mayo if you’re keeping it mild today — or if spicy foods have you reaching for antacids faster than you can say “pickle sandwich.”

Best Served With

  • Wash it all down with something crisp and refreshing.
  • Add a side of fries, roasted potatoes, or whatever potato situation speaks to your soul.
  • Need more crunch? These Air Fryer Kale Chips are the right move.
  • Still craving chaos? Keep the sandwich madness going with the Watermelon Sandwich, which coincidentally also involves pickles.

Similar Recipes

A hand holding a paper-wrapped bundle of deep-fried vegetable slices, including zucchini and possibly green beans, with a rustic wooden table and blurred background in sunlight.

Viral Pickle Sandwich

Pickles as bread? Yeah, I know. Sounds like something your keto coworker dreamt up during a middle-of-the-night fridge raid 🥴. But hear me out — this Viral Pickle Sandwich 🥒💥 is crunchy, spicy, creamy, salty, and weirdly … DELICIOUS!
5 from 2 votes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Makes: 1 sandwich
Author: The Modern Nonna
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 75 grams cheddar cheese , grated
  • 8 slices sandwich pickles , padded dry
  • 1 teaspoon spicy mayo
  • 1 handful microgreens, or lettuce
  • 3 slices turkey breast
  • 3 slices tomato
  • 3 slices red onions , optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).
  • Take 8 pickle slices and pat them dry really well.
    Two hands with manicured nails press olive oil-coated paper towel on a wooden surface, with sunlight casting shadows across the scene.
  • On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper add a thin layer of cheese onto one side (forming a rectangle with the cheese) and another layer on the other side.
    A hand places a sliced pickle on a parchment-lined tray with a layer of shredded cheese, ready for baking or assembling a dish. Sunlight illuminates the scene.
  • Arrange 4 sandwich pickle slices onto the first rectangle making sure they are as tightly as possible. Repeat this step for the other one.
    A hand holds a thin pickle slice over a baking tray lined with parchment paper, where more pickle slices and shredded cheese are arranged. A window and wooden table are visible in the background.
  • Add another thin layer of cheese on top and bake for 18-20 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Keep an eye on them as every oven is different.
    Six baked eggplant slices topped with melted cheese on parchment paper in a baking tray, with some cheese browned and crisped around the edges. The tray is set on a wooden surface.
  • Remove from the heat, let it cool for 5-10 minutes so the cheese can harden and the sandwich slices can easily peel off.
    Four slices of cooked eggplant with melted cheese form a base on a baking sheet. Each is topped with a leaf of lettuce and a rolled slice of turkey or chicken deli meat. A binder clip holds the parchment paper in place.
  • Now, assemble with your favourite sandwich toppings. I added a layer of spicy mayo, lettuce (or micro greens), roasted turkey, tomatoes, and red onion. Enjoy!
    A hand holds a sandwich made with crispy, golden plantain slices instead of bread, filled with tomato, cheese, greens, and white vegetable slices, all set on a wooden table in bright sunlight.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 sandwich, Calories: 376kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 78mg, Sodium: 594mg, Potassium: 354mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1496IU, Vitamin C: 17mg, Calcium: 564mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
COOKED IT? SLAYED IT? 💅
Tag @themodernnonna so I can hype you up 👏 and don’t forget to rate ⭐, drop a comment 💬, and show some love right here on the recipe!

Common Questions

What can i use instead of pickles?

Instead of pickles, try thin-cut zucchini slices, sliced onions or jalapeños. Anything sturdy and sliceable can become your new “bread.”

how do you make spicy mayo?

Check out my homemade spicy mayo for the full experience or whip up a quick version instead by mixing mayo with a bit of sriracha.

What kind of pickles should I use?

Go for big, sturdy sandwich pickles or slice up whole dill pickles lengthwise.

Do I have to use microgreens?

Nope. They’re just here for their fancy little crunch and peppery flavour. Use lettuce instead or skip the greens altogether if you’re not feeling it.

can i make it dairy-free?

Absolutely. Instead of regular dairy, use your favorite plant-based cheese and vegan mayo.

Hi! I'm Sneji. Nice to meet you!

I am more commonly known as “The Modern Nonna” on social media where I create easy home cooked meals with a modern twist. I was born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria and learned how to cook at the best culinary school in the world – my grandma’s kitchen. I lived in Greece on the Island of Crete with my parents for a while and then moved to Toronto, Canada when I was in grade 5. I started to really cook and experiment with food 11 years ago when I was 21 years old. Everything I currently know is a reflection of some part of my life…

Keep up to date with me on social media! Follow @themodernnonna

5 from 2 votes

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I was skeptical, but the combination of flavors and textures is absolute perfection. Low-carb and delicious – thank you for sharing this recipe!