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Old Fashioned Sweet Pickle Relish

This homemade sweet pickle relish is packed with fresh flavors and is perfect for everything from burgers to salads!
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Prep Time:30 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Processing Time:10 minutes
Course: Dinner, Ingredients
Cuisine: American
Keyword: canning, cucumbers, dill pickle relish, relish, sweet pickles relish
Servings: 6 pints

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Colander
  • Large Stockpot
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Box grater or food processor
  • Knife and Cutting Board
  • Clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth
  • Ladle
  • Sterile jars with lids
  • Jar funnel
  • Jar lifter
  • Water Bath Canner
  • Cooling rack

Ingredients

  • 8 cups cucumbers finely diced
  • 2 cups yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 cup red bell pepper finely diced
  • ¼ cup kosher or pickling salt
  • 3 cups pickling vinegar
  • 1/2 cup sugar optional or use less according to taste
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard seeds
  • 2 tsp celery seeds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vegetables: Add the diced cucumbers, onion, and bell peppers in a large mixing bowl. Combine with salt and cover the mixture. Let it sit for at least 6 hours or overnight.
  2. Rinse and drain: Rinse the cucumber mix thoroughly with water and drain again.
  3. Cook the relish: In a large stock pot, combine the vinegar, sugar, and spices. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cucumber mixture and return to a boil. Reduce the heat back to medium and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
  4. Can the relish: Ladle the hot relish into hot, sterile jars, leaving ¼ inch of headspace. Wipe the rims clean and seal tightly with lids. Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
  5. Storage: Sealed jars can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year. If the seal is broken, store the relish in the fridge for up to a month.
  6. Enhance Flavor: For best results, let the relish sit for at least a week to allow the flavors to meld and the vinegar to mellow. This also gives the relish time to absorb some of the liquid.

Notes

  • Uniform Dice: Dice the cucumbers and other vegetables uniformly to ensure even brining and consistent texture in the final relish.
  • Salting Step: Make sure to thoroughly rinse and drain the vegetable mixture after salting. This step is crucial for drawing out excess moisture and reducing bitterness, but leaving too much salt can result in an overly salty relish.
  • Peeling and Seeding Cucumbers: Peel the cucumbers and remove the seeds for a smoother texture in your relish. The seeds can add bitterness and extra moisture.
  • Vinegar Selection: Use white vinegar for a clean, tangy flavor. Ensure the vinegar is at least 5% acidity to ensure safe preservation.