If you love zesty, tangy flavors that jazz up your meals, then you are going to absolutely adore this Homemade Pickle Relish Recipe. It’s the perfect balance of crisp cucumbers, vibrant bell peppers, and punchy spices all mingled in a sweet and sour vinegar base. Whether you’re a fan of classic hot dogs, sandwiches, or just looking to add a burst of brightness to your dishes, this relish recipe is a total game-changer. Best of all, it’s simple to make with fresh ingredients, so you can skip store-bought versions and enjoy something made with love and care right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Homemade Pickle Relish Recipe is in its simple yet carefully chosen ingredients. Each item plays a crucial role in creating the ideal texture, flavor, and color that make this relish truly sing on your plate.
- Cucumbers: Seeded and finely diced for that classic crisp and fresh base.
- Red onion: Adds a sharp, slightly sweet bite and gorgeous color contrast.
- Yellow bell pepper: Finely diced to give a subtle sweetness and vibrant pop of color.
- Sea salt: Essential for drawing moisture out of the vegetables and enhancing their flavors.
- Pickling spice: Infuses the relish with aromatic warmth and complexity.
- Apple cider vinegar: Divided use, providing tangy acidity and preserving freshness.
- All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the relish for the perfect consistency.
- Simple syrup: Equal parts sugar and water, balancing the acidity with sweetness.
- Celery salt: Lends a subtle savory depth to round out the flavors.
How to Make Homemade Pickle Relish Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Vegetables
Start by mixing together your diced cucumbers, red onion, and yellow bell pepper in a medium bowl. This colorful trio forms the fresh, crunchy foundation of your relish.
Step 2: Season and Marinate
Sprinkle the sea salt and pickling spice over your veggies, then mix everything thoroughly. This seasoning combo is what will bring those irresistible tangy and slightly spicy notes to your relish. Cover with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge overnight to let all those flavors develop beautifully.
Step 3: Rinse and Drain
Once your veggies have marinated, drain them in a fine mesh sieve and rinse gently 2 to 3 times with cool water. This step helps wash away excess salt, preventing the relish from becoming too salty while maintaining that perfect seasoned crunch.
Step 4: Remove Excess Moisture
Use the back of a large spoon to press out any lingering water from the vegetable mixture. Taking this extra step ensures your relish isn’t watery and maintains a satisfying thickness once cooked.
Step 5: Prepare the Thickening Base
In a medium saucepan, whisk together ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and the all-purpose flour until smooth and lump-free. This mixture will act as the base to help thicken your relish to that perfect consistency without lumps.
Step 6: Add Liquids and Heat
Slowly pour in the rest of the apple cider vinegar along with the simple syrup and place the pan over medium heat. Heat gently until the mixture begins to bubble, creating a deliciously tangy, sweet base for your relish.
Step 7: Combine and Simmer
Stir in your vegetable mixture along with the celery salt, then bring everything to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 10 to 15 minutes so the flavors meld together beautifully and the vinegar smell softens, leaving behind a balanced, rich taste.
Step 8: Cool Before Serving
Once thickened and fragrant, remove the saucepan from heat and allow the relish to cool completely. This resting time lets the flavors settle and gives you that perfect vibrant pickle relish texture.
How to Serve Homemade Pickle Relish Recipe
Garnishes
This Homemade Pickle Relish Recipe is fantastic on its own but also shines as a garnish. Try topping your burgers, bratwurst, or hot dogs with a generous spoonful for a delightful crunch and tang. It also pairs wonderfully sprinkled over deviled eggs or potato salad for an unexpected zing.
Side Dishes
If you’re planning a casual summer cookout, serve this relish alongside classic sides like coleslaw, grilled corn, or picnic-style potato salad. Its bright flavors provide a perfect contrast to richer dishes, balancing the plate beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your Homemade Pickle Relish Recipe up a notch by using it as a topping for avocado toast or mixed into cream cheese for a flavorful spread. For a fun twist, spoon it over scrambled eggs or mix into tuna salad for a tangy surprise that will have everyone asking for your secret.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, transfer your relish to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to two weeks, making it a wonderful make-ahead condiment to brighten your meals all week long.
Freezing
Because of its vinegar content and vegetable texture, freezing homemade relish is not usually recommended as it can affect the crispness and consistency. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated as mentioned above.
Reheating
If you want to use your relish warm, simply heat it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid overheating, as it can break down the texture and mute the bright flavors you love.
FAQs
Can I use regular cucumbers instead of pickling cucumbers?
Absolutely! While pickling cucumbers tend to be crisper and have fewer seeds, regular cucumbers work just fine for this recipe. Just be sure to remove the seeds and dice finely to avoid excess moisture.
What if I don’t have apple cider vinegar?
You can substitute white vinegar or white wine vinegar, but apple cider vinegar adds a nice fruity tang that complements the vegetables beautifully. If using a substitute, keep the quantity the same.
Is this relish spicy?
This particular recipe isn’t spicy, focusing more on tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. If you prefer a little heat, feel free to add some finely chopped jalapeño or red pepper flakes during the seasoning step.
How long does the relish need to marinate?
Overnight marination is ideal to let the salt and spices penetrate and soften the vegetables while developing flavor. If you’re short on time, a minimum of 6 hours will still yield tasty results.
Can I use a blender or food processor to chop the veggies?
While you can, finely dicing by hand helps maintain a wonderful texture and prevents your relish from becoming mushy. If you do use a processor, pulse sparingly to keep some chunkiness.
Final Thoughts
Making this Homemade Pickle Relish Recipe is truly a rewarding experience that brings fresh, vibrant flavors straight to your table. It’s easy, versatile, and a fantastic way to up your condiment game with something homemade and authentic. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe—it’s guaranteed to become a beloved staple in your kitchen like it is in mine. Grab those fresh cucumbers and let the pickling magic begin!
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Homemade Pickle Relish Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes plus overnight refrigeration
- Yield: 48 tablespoons (3 cups)
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This homemade pickle relish recipe delivers a tangy, slightly sweet, and crunchy condiment perfect for enhancing hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, and more. Featuring a vibrant mix of cucumbers, red onion, and yellow bell pepper, this relish is infused with classic pickling spices and balanced with apple cider vinegar and simple syrup. Prepared with a quick simmering technique, it offers a fresh, flavorful alternative to store-bought relishes.
Ingredients
Pickled Vegetables
- 2 cucumbers, seeded and finely diced
- ¾ cup finely diced red onion
- 1 yellow bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons sea salt
- 2 tablespoons pickling spice
Pickling Mixture
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar (divided)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water)
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
Instructions
- Combine Vegetables: Mix together the diced cucumbers, diced red onion, and finely diced yellow bell pepper in a medium-sized bowl until evenly combined.
- Season and Pickle: Sprinkle the sea salt and pickling spice over the vegetable mixture. Stir well to evenly coat all the vegetables.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the vegetables to release moisture and absorb the flavors.
- Drain and Rinse: When ready to finish the relish, drain the vegetable mixture in a fine mesh sieve. Rinse 2-3 times with cool water or until the water runs clear to remove excess salt and spices.
- Press Out Excess Water: Use the back of a large serving spoon to press out as much water as possible from the vegetables to prevent sogginess.
- Prepare Thickening Mixture: In a medium saucepan, whisk together ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and the all-purpose flour until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
- Add Remaining Liquids and Heat: Gradually add the remaining ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and the simple syrup to the saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the mixture begins to bubble, stirring frequently.
- Add Vegetables and Season: Stir the drained vegetable mixture and celery salt into the bubbling liquid. Mix thoroughly.
- Simmer to Thicken: Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the relish thickens and the vinegar aroma mellows.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from heat and allow the relish to cool completely before serving. Store refrigerated in an airtight container.
Notes
- For best texture, ensure to press out excess moisture thoroughly after rinsing.
- Simple syrup can be made by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over low heat.
- Pickling spice can be adjusted or omitted depending on personal taste preferences.
- Keep the relish refrigerated and consume within 2 weeks for optimal freshness.
- This relish pairs wonderfully with hot dogs, burgers, potato salads, and as a sandwich topping.
