The homemade Sweet and Spicy Pickle Relish is a perfect way to preserve garden abundance and add a zingy punch to your meals. Unlike store-bought varieties, this relish balances sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors with fresh, vibrant ingredients that you can tailor to your taste. It’s an ideal topping for summer barbecues, cozy sandwiches, or even stirred into potato salad for an unexpected twist.
Making your own relish may sound intimidating, but this recipe is as simple as it is satisfying. With basic kitchen staples and a quick simmer, you’ll create a condiment that brightens every bite. Whether you’re a canning enthusiast or just love bold flavor, this relish makes a small jar go a long way—and it’s always a crowd-pleaser when gifted in a mason jar with a bow!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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4 cups finely chopped cucumbers (about 4 medium)
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1 ½ cups finely chopped red bell pepper
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1 cup finely chopped onion
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1 tablespoon salt
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1 ½ cups sugar
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1 cup white vinegar
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½ cup apple cider vinegar
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1 tablespoon mustard seeds
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½ teaspoon celery seeds
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¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
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¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional for extra heat)
Directions:
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In a large bowl, combine chopped cucumbers, red bell peppers, and onions. Sprinkle with salt, stir well, and let sit for 1 hour to draw out excess moisture.
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After 1 hour, drain the mixture using a colander and press gently to remove remaining liquid.
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In a large non-reactive pot, combine sugar, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, and chili flakes. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
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Add the drained vegetable mixture to the pot. Bring back to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Spoon the hot relish into sterilized jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Seal with lids and rings.
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Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes if canning for long-term storage. Let jars cool, then refrigerate.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Kcal: 35 kcal per serving | Servings: 20 (1 tbsp each)
The Story Behind Sweet and Spicy Pickle Relish
Sweet and Spicy Pickle Relish is a nostalgic staple in American kitchens, beloved for its vibrant flavor and versatility. This classic condiment has been a part of home-cooked meals and picnics for generations. Its origin lies in the practice of preserving seasonal vegetables, particularly cucumbers and peppers, when they were abundant in home gardens. What makes this relish truly special is its ability to elevate even the simplest dishes—from hot dogs to potato salad—with its complex layering of sweetness, tanginess, and heat.
Unlike store-bought versions that often contain artificial preservatives and an overwhelming vinegar taste, this homemade relish offers a clean, fresh, and more customizable flavor profile. The balanced ratio of sugar and vinegar, combined with aromatic spices like mustard seeds and celery seeds, provides depth and character that mass-produced relishes simply can’t match. It’s a celebration of garden freshness preserved in a jar.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
One of the key advantages of this Sweet and Spicy Pickle Relish is its simplicity. You don’t need advanced canning skills or special equipment to prepare it. With just a few accessible ingredients and a little patience, you can create a vibrant, shelf-stable condiment that lasts for months. It’s incredibly beginner-friendly, yet the results taste gourmet. That makes it perfect for both first-time preservers and experienced home cooks looking to expand their pantry with homemade condiments.
This recipe also lets you take control of the flavor. Want more heat? Add extra chili flakes or use a spicier variety of pepper. Prefer a sweeter note? Slightly increase the sugar. The base recipe is highly adaptable to your taste preferences and dietary needs, whether you’re following a vegan, gluten-free, or low-sodium lifestyle. That flexibility makes it a true kitchen hero.
Health Benefits of Homemade Relish
Making your own relish isn’t just about flavor—there are also nutritional and wellness benefits. Store-bought relishes often contain high-fructose corn syrup, excessive sodium, and preservatives that don’t serve your health. With this homemade version, you choose the ingredients, which means you control the sugar content, avoid additives, and prioritize fresh produce.
Cucumbers, the base of this relish, are low in calories but high in water content and antioxidants. Red bell peppers provide vitamin C and carotenoids, while onions contribute prebiotics and immune-boosting compounds. Apple cider vinegar, used in part of the brine, may aid in digestion and blood sugar regulation. The result is a flavorful condiment that does more than just taste good—it supports your health, too.
Serving Ideas and Culinary Versatility
This Sweet and Spicy Pickle Relish is the kind of condiment that will quickly become your go-to secret ingredient. Its sweet-tangy-spicy flavor combination adds a pop to so many dishes. Use it as a classic hot dog or burger topping, spread it over sandwiches and wraps, or mix it into egg salad or tuna salad for an instant flavor upgrade. It pairs exceptionally well with grilled meats and roasted vegetables, making it a perfect companion for summer BBQs and holiday gatherings.
You can even stir a spoonful into dressings and dips for added zing. Add it to deviled eggs for a Southern-style twist, or serve it alongside a cheese board to balance rich, creamy cheeses with its sharp, vinegary bite.
Perfect for Gifting or Canning Season
One delightful bonus to making this relish is how beautifully it jars. With its vibrant green and red hues, it looks stunning in glass jars—making it an ideal homemade gift. Tie on a ribbon, attach a label, and you have a thoughtful, delicious present for friends and family. It’s also an excellent way to make use of your garden’s bounty during peak season or take advantage of farmers’ market deals.
If you’re into canning, this relish is a dream. It requires only a basic boiling water bath to seal the jars, and it keeps well in the pantry for months when stored properly. It’s an easy and rewarding addition to your homemade preserves collection.
Flavor That Grows Over Time
Another amazing trait of this relish is how the flavor deepens as it sits. While it’s delicious freshly made, it becomes even more complex and integrated after a few days or weeks in the jar. The vinegar and spices continue to meld with the vegetables, enhancing the balance of sweetness, acidity, and spice. So if you can wait before digging in, you’ll be rewarded with an even more nuanced taste.
Budget-Friendly and Eco-Conscious
In a time when food costs are rising and food waste is a growing concern, recipes like this are both practical and sustainable. You can repurpose vegetables that might otherwise go to waste and stretch your grocery budget by creating a versatile, multi-use condiment from inexpensive ingredients. Plus, by storing the relish in reusable jars, you cut down on plastic waste and commercial packaging.
Make It Your Own
The best part of this recipe? It’s a canvas for your creativity. Try mixing in other veggies like grated carrots or jalapeños, or experiment with adding fresh herbs like dill or cilantro. You can swap the sugar for honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile, or replace the vinegar blend with balsamic or rice vinegar to suit your palate.
The beauty of this homemade Sweet and Spicy Pickle Relish is its ability to adapt, evolve, and become a signature recipe in your kitchen. Whether you’re topping a burger or spooning it onto a baked potato, it adds personality, boldness, and joy to every dish.
Conclusion
If you’ve never made relish before, this is the recipe that will convert you. It’s approachable, vibrant, and incredibly rewarding—both in taste and utility. Unlike the generic jars on grocery store shelves, this homemade Sweet and Spicy Pickle Relish bursts with real ingredients and a balance of flavors that hits all the right notes. It’s a pantry staple, a flavor booster, a perfect gift, and an easy introduction to the world of home preserving.
Once you try it, you’ll wonder how your kitchen ever functioned without it.