Sweet Pickle Relish
Sweet Pickle Relish is one of the easiest ways to use the glut of cucumbers that ripen every year in the garden! Delicious on sandwiches and in salads!
Any gardener that has ever grown cucumbers knows that are 2 types of seasons for cucumber growing. The first is the year where it starts out hot and dry and the cucumbers die before they produce 10 cucumbers. The second is the year that starts out cool and moist and you end up with 500 cucumbers by August, from 4 plants! This year happens to be the latter, at least in my area!
So the question becomes, what to do with all of those cukes? The obvious choices are pickles and relishes! I will share both with you this summer, at some point. Here is the first.
What is sweet pickle relish?
Apparently, (who knew 🙂 ) there are different sweet pickle relishes, depending on what part of world you live in! In the UK, pickle relish is a mixture with different fruits and vegetables, none of which are even remotely related to cucumbers! In Australia, apparently, pickle relish is heavy with mustard flavor. Apparently, there is a worldwide search (according to Google) for how to make American Pickle Relish!
“Why,” you ask, “the worldwide interest in American Pickle Relish?” Well, one simple, global US company is responsible for the worldwide search for American Pickle Relish. McDonald’s. McDonald’s uses sweet pickle relish in their “Big Mac” sauce. So everyone is trying to duplicate that sauce.
This, my friends, is American Pickle Relish, on a slightly healthier scale. No added preservatives and chemicals.
Is sweet pickle relish gluten free?
Yes. This sweet pickle relish is gluten and dairy free.
What you need
- fresh cucumbers
- apple cider vinegar
- onion – grind in food processor
- red bell pepper – grind in food processor
- dry mustard (or mustard seed)
- salt
- pepper
- celery seed
- turmeric
How to Make it
- Quarter cucumbers lengthwise. Cut or scrape out seeds.
- Place pieces in food processor.
- Pulse to desired size.
- Quarter and deseed peppers. Process in food processor.
- Place cucumber and pepper in large stainless or plastic bowl.
- Peel and quarter onion.
- Process in food processor.
- Add onion to a large bowl with salt. Mix well.
- Cover and allow to sit overnight on the counter.
- Notice all of the water that the salt drained from the vegetables. In the morning, rinse salt off thoroughly in cheesecloth lined colander or fine meshed sieve. Allow to drain.
- Add sugar, and spices to large stock pot.
- Measure vinegar and add to pot.
- Add vegetable mixture.
- Bring to boil. Reduce heat and low boil for 30 minutes. Until liquid has reduced and consistency is relish-like.
- Pack hot relish in hot jars.
Remove air bubbles with a wooden or plastic skewer or a like tool. Wipe jar rims with damp paper towel to remove debris. Center lids. Attach bands fingertip tight.
Process jars for 15 minutes in a water bath canning pot. Once processing time is up, remove pot from heat. Allow jars to sit in pot for 5 minutes.
Using your jar lifter, remove from canner and allow to cool on counter overnight. Check for seal in the morning. (Lid should not flex in the middle when pushed.) Store in cool dark space. Refrigerate after opening.
Store in a cool dark place like the basement for about a year.
Other delicious relishes
How to use sweet pickle relish
Sweet pickle relish can be used as a condiment or ingredient in many different foods.
- hot dogs
- various hamburgers
- Other sandwiches, such as ham, steak or chicken
- dressings, like Thousand Island Dressing
- sauces, like tartar sauce and McDonald’s special Big Mac sauce.
- salads, like potato and macaroni, egg, chicken or ham salads
What to do With all of the relishes you can during the year?
Homemade Jams, Jellies, Pickles and Relishes make excellent gifts for friends and family! Bring them as a hostess gift or make a pretty basket, for the holidays, with assorted homemade canned goods and a pretty kitchen towel, or apron. A gift from the heart is always appreciated, and not too many people make homemade preserves anymore!
Tools I use
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That’s how easy it is to make Sweet Pickle Relish. Thanks for stopping by today!
Enjoy! And have fun cooking!
Xoxo,
Sweet Pickle Relish
Ingredients
- 10 cups cucumbers
- 3 cups Onion
- 2 large red bell peppers
- 5 tbsp Salt
For Brine
- 3 cups Sugar
- 1 tbsp Clear Jel modified cornstarch optional to thicken if needed
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 3 cups cider vinegar
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1 tsp cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp celery seed
Instructions
- Chop vegetables, separately, in food processor, until fairly fine.
- Place in large plastic or stainless bowl.
- Mix salt in well.
- Cover and allow to sit on counter overnight.
For Brine
- Rinse vegetables very well. Place in large pot.
- Add remaining ingredients.
- Mix well. Bring to boil. Low boil for about 30 minutes
- Pack and seal in hot, sterilized jars
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Nutrition
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Can I use clear gel in place of the corn starch and the same amount? Thanks.
Yes, you can.
Just finished making 1 batch of pickle relish and 1 batch of zucchini relish. Hubby approved!
Easy recipe to follow. I will be using this recipe over and over again.
I’m so glad that you both like it! They are both our family’s favorites too. Thanks for letting me know Denise!