Tangy & Sweet & Hot: How to Make and Can Your Own Delicious Sweet Relish!

There’s something incredibly satisfying about homemade condiments, and sweet relish is no exception! Forget the store-bought versions; making your own allows you to control the ingredients, customize the flavor, and enjoy that fresh, vibrant taste all year long. Plus, canning it means you’ll have a pantry full of deliciousness ready to elevate your burgers, hot dogs, tuna salad, and so much more.

Ready to dive into the world of homemade relish? Let’s get started!

Why Make Your Own Sweet Relish?

Beyond the sheer joy of creating something from scratch, there are several great reasons to make your own sweet relish:

• Freshness You Can Taste: Store-bought relish often has a slightly muted flavor. Homemade relish, on the other hand, bursts with the crispness of fresh cucumbers, the tang of vinegar, and the perfect balance of sweetness.
• No Mystery Ingredients: You’re in charge! Choose organic produce, adjust the sugar to your liking, and know exactly what’s going into your food.
• Cost-Effective: Especially if you have a garden or can find cucumbers and other vegetables in season, making your own relish can be more economical than continuously buying jars from the grocery store.
• Perfect for Gifting: A jar of homemade sweet relish makes a thoughtful and delicious gift for friends and family!

Watch Our Step-by-Step Video!

Seeing is believing, especially when it comes to canning! For a full visual guide on how to make and can this delicious sweet relish, check out our corresponding YouTube video right here:

You’ll see all the steps, tips for prepping vegetables, and detailed instructions on water bath canning to ensure your relish is safe and delicious.

Sweet Relish Serving Suggestions

Now that you have jars of this tangy-sweet goodness, how do you use it?

• Classic Topping: The perfect partner for hot dogs, burgers, bratwurst, and sandwiches.
• Salad Enhancer: Stir into tuna salad, chicken salad, or egg salad for an extra pop of flavor and crunch.
• Deviled Eggs: A spoonful of sweet relish takes deviled eggs to a whole new level.
• Tartar Sauce: Mix with mayonnaise, a squeeze of lemon, and some capers for a quick homemade tartar sauce.
• Glazes and Marinades: Whisk into glazes for ham or marinades for grilled chicken.

Conclusion

Making and canning your own sweet relish is a rewarding culinary adventure that brings incredible flavor to your kitchen. It’s a fantastic way to preserve the harvest, control your ingredients, and enjoy homemade goodness year-round. Give this recipe a try, watch our video for extra guidance, and get ready to impress your taste buds!

Happy canning!

Sweet & Hot Relish

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  

• 4 cups unpeeled cucumber remove seeds if not a seedless variety
• 2 large onions
• A variety of mild peppers. About 2 large bell peppers worth
• 1 or more hot peppers to taste
• 2 tbs salt
• 1.5 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup cider or distilled vinegar
• 1 tbs mustard seeds

Instructions

 

• ➡️ Bring the vinegar, sugar, salt and mustard seeds to a boil, turn off
• ➡️ Roughly chop the vegetables and process in a food processor to your desired consistency
• ➡️ Strain the vegetable mush thru a kitchen towel and press out most water
• ➡️ Retain the water to get the relish to the right consistency later
• ➡️ Add the strained vegetables to the brine. Bring back to a simmer and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
• ➡️ Adjust moisture level to your likeing by using the retained water.
• ➡️ Fill into jars
• ➡️ If you’re not using the relish within 2 weeks or so, process the jars in a water bath for 10 minutes.