Sweet & Spicy Pickle Relish Recipe for Zippy Flavor Kick

Craft a zesty sweet and spicy pickle relish that sparks culinary excitement in your kitchen.

Bold flavors dance across your taste buds with each vibrant bite.

Crisp cucumber chunks mingle with fiery peppers, creating a condiment that revolutionizes sandwich spreads and burger toppings.

Summer gardens overflow with fresh ingredients perfect for this tangy treasure.

Home cooks can easily chop, mix, and preserve these delectable pickle bits without complicated techniques.

Unexpected heat and subtle sweetness combine in a relish that surprises and delights.

Dive into this simple recipe and transform ordinary meals into extraordinary flavor experiences.

What Sets Sweet & Spicy Pickle Relish Apart

• Adjust red chili flakes to create your perfect balance between sweet and spicy, making this relish adaptable to personal taste preferences.
• Transform fresh garden vegetables into a long-lasting condiment that captures seasonal freshness, allowing you to enjoy homemade relish throughout the year.
• Craft this simple yet rewarding pickle relish with minimal cooking skills, turning a few hours of preparation into delicious homemade goodness.
• Elevate sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, and salads with a zesty homemade condiment that adds vibrant flavor and texture to multiple dishes.

Ingredients That Go into Sweet & Spicy Pickle Relish

• Cucumbers: Crisp base for the relish, garden-fresh varieties work best.
• Red Bell Pepper: Adds sweet color and mild pepper flavor.
• Onion: Provides sharp aromatic base for the relish.

• Salt: Helps draw out moisture from vegetables, enhances overall flavor.
• Sugar: Balances tangy and spicy elements, creates sweetness.
• Mustard Seeds: Adds subtle spicy and nutty undertones.
• Celery Seeds: Contributes earthy and herbal background notes.
• Turmeric: Provides golden color and warm, slightly bitter taste.
• Red Chili Flakes: Creates spicy kick and heat to the relish.

• Vinegar: Primary pickling agent, adds sharp tanginess and preserves relish.

How to Whip Up Sweet & Spicy Pickle Relish

Step 1: Chop Vegetables

• Dice fresh cucumbers
• Mince red bell peppers
• Slice yellow onions

Combine all chopped vegetables in a large mixing bowl. Generously sprinkle kosher salt over the mixture and thoroughly mix. Allow vegetables to rest for two hours, which helps extract excess moisture.

Step 2: Rinse and Drain

Wash the salted vegetables under cold running water. Drain completely using a colander, gently pressing out additional liquid. Pat vegetables dry with clean kitchen towels.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

• White granulated sugar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Mustard seeds
• Celery seeds
• Ground turmeric
• Red chili flakes

Heat the mixture over medium flame, stirring continuously until sugar fully dissolves.

Step 4: Simmer Relish

Add drained vegetables to the flavor base. Reduce heat and allow mixture to gently simmer. Stir occasionally, cooking for 12-15 minutes until vegetables soften and liquid reduces slightly.

Step 5: Jar and Preserve

Carefully ladle hot relish into sanitized glass jars. Leave approximately half-inch headspace at the top. Wipe jar rims clean and secure lids tightly.

Step 6: Process Jars

For long-term storage, process jars in boiling water bath for ten minutes. Remove and let cool completely at room temperature.

Step 7: Store and Enjoy

Store sealed jars in cool, dark pantry for up to one year. Once opened, refrigerate and consume within four weeks.

Pro Tips for Pickle Relish with Bold Flavor

• Drain Vegetables Thoroughly: Pat the diced cucumbers, peppers, and onions completely dry after rinsing to prevent watery relish and ensure a thick, concentrated flavor.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust red chili flakes based on your heat tolerance- start with less and add more gradually for perfect sweet-spicy balance.
• Use Fresh Ingredients: Select crisp, firm cucumbers and vibrant bell peppers for maximum crunch and bright taste in your relish.
• Sterilize Jars Carefully: Wash jars and lids in hot, soapy water or run through dishwasher to prevent bacterial growth and extend relish's shelf life.
• Master Preserving Technique: Process jars in boiling water bath exactly 10 minutes to create proper seal and ensure safe, long-term storage of homemade relish.

Storage Methods for Pickle Relish You Can Rely On

• Store unopened jars in a cool, dark pantry for up to one year, maintaining their vibrant flavors and crunchy texture.
• After breaking the seal, transfer the relish to an airtight container and refrigerate for maximum freshness, consuming within 4 weeks.
• Gently warm small portions in a microwave or stovetop skillet, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning.
• Always inspect the relish before serving, discarding if you notice any mold, off-odors, or unusual color changes.

What Foods Pair Well with Pickle Relish

• Pair with grilled bratwurst or juicy beef burgers to balance the relish's tangy heat and add extra zest to barbecue favorites.
• Serve alongside sharp cheddar cheese, salami, and crusty artisan bread to create a flavor-packed appetizer board that highlights the relish's complex profile.
• Mix into pulled pork sandwiches or top grilled chicken for a vibrant condiment that elevates simple proteins with sweet and spicy notes.
• Spread on deli sandwiches with roasted turkey or ham to transform an ordinary lunch into a gourmet experience with bright, punchy flavor.

Ways to Add a Twist to Pickle Relish

• Low-Sodium Option: Replace salt with a small amount of salt substitute or herbs like dill and parsley to reduce sodium content while maintaining flavor complexity.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Swap sugar with erythritol or monk fruit sweetener and reduce the overall sugar quantity to create a low-carb pickle relish suitable for ketogenic diets.
• Fermented Probiotic Relish: Add whey or probiotic starter culture during vegetable preparation to create a fermented version with enhanced gut health benefits and tangy flavor profile.
• Herb-Infused Variation: Incorporate fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or oregano during cooking to introduce additional layers of aromatic complexity and unique taste dimensions.

Sweet & Spicy Pickle Relish Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Homemade sweet & spicy pickle relish brings zesty southwestern flavor to summer barbecues and sandwich spreads. Crisp cucumber, jalapeño, and bell pepper combine with tangy vinegar and spices, creating a condiment packed with fresh garden excitement you’ll want to dollop on everything.

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Ingredients

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Main Vegetables:

• 4 cups (500 g) cucumbers, finely diced
• 1 cup (150 g) red bell pepper, finely diced
• ½ cup (75 g) onion, finely diced

Seasoning and Spices:

• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons salt
• ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
• ½ teaspoon celery seeds
• ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
• ½ teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust for spice level)

Liquid:

• 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar

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Instructions

1. Dice cucumbers, red bell pepper, and onion into uniform, small pieces to ensure consistent texture and even flavor distribution.
2. Transfer the chopped vegetables to a spacious mixing bowl and generously coat with salt, thoroughly blending to extract excess moisture. Allow the mixture to rest for 90-120 minutes, enabling natural water release.
3. Rinse the salted vegetables under cold running water, ensuring complete removal of salt. Drain meticulously using a fine-mesh strainer to eliminate all liquid.
4. In a robust cooking pot, combine sugar, vinegar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, and red chili flakes. Heat the mixture over medium flame, stirring continuously until sugar completely dissolves.
5. Introduce the drained vegetable medley into the simmering liquid, gently stirring to integrate all components. Maintain a low, steady simmer for 12-15 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
6. Carefully ladle the piping hot relish into sanitized glass jars, maintaining approximately half-inch headspace to facilitate proper sealing.
7. For extended preservation, submerge sealed jars in a boiling water bath for precisely 10 minutes, ensuring airtight preservation.
8. Allow jars to cool naturally at ambient temperature, creating a robust vacuum seal. Store in a dark, cool pantry for up to 12 months.
9. Once opened, refrigerate the relish and consume within four weeks to maintain optimal flavor and quality.

Notes

• Customize the heat level by adjusting red chili flakes for spice-sensitive palates or adding extra for bold flavor enthusiasts.
• Drain vegetables thoroughly to prevent watery relish and ensure a robust, concentrated taste profile.
• Select firm, fresh cucumbers with minimal seeds for optimal texture and crunchiness in the final condiment.
• Consider using apple cider vinegar as a tangy alternative to white vinegar for enhanced depth and complexity of flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 70
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg