Grandma's Old Fashioned Sweet Relish

Capture the nostalgic flavors of summer with Grandma's Old Fashioned Sweet Relish, a timeless condiment bursting with tangy-sweet goodness. This easy-to-make recipe combines finely chopped cucumbers, green bell peppers, and onions with a perfectly balanced brine of white vinegar, granulated sugar, and aromatic spices like celery seed and mustard seed. Let the vegetables soak in pickling salt to draw out their natural juices, ensuring a crisp texture in every spoonful. Ideal for canning, this relish can be stored for up to a year, making it a pantry staple for enhancing burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, or potato salads. With simple techniques and a touch of tradition, this homemade sweet relish is a true homage to classic comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 medium (about 4 cups finely chopped) cucumbers
• 2 large (about 2 cups finely chopped) green bell peppers
• 2 medium (about 2 cups finely chopped) onions
• 2 tablespoons pickling salt
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• 1 teaspoon mustard seed

Directions

Step 1

Wash and dry the cucumbers, green bell peppers, and onions. Finely chop all vegetables using a knife or food processor to ensure consistent texture.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped cucumbers, green bell peppers, and onions. Sprinkle the pickling salt over the vegetables and mix well. Let sit for 2 hours to draw out excess moisture.

Step 3

Transfer the salted vegetables to a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water to remove the excess salt. Drain well, pressing down gently to remove any additional liquid.

Step 4

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the granulated sugar, white vinegar, celery seed, and mustard seed. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves completely.

Step 5

Add the drained vegetable mixture to the pot and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

While the relish is simmering, sterilize your jars and lids by submerging them in boiling water for 10 minutes or running them through a dishwasher cycle on high heat.

Step 7

Ladle the hot relish into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims with a clean cloth, seal with the lids, and screw on the bands until fingertip tight.

Step 8

If storing long-term, process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Remove jars from the water and allow them to cool completely. The lids should pop down, indicating a proper seal.

Step 9

Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. Once opened, refrigerate and use within 4 weeks.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(5705.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3213.7

Total Fat 6.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 1.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 11736.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 789.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.4g	0%
Total Sugars 693.6g
Protein 32.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 768.6mg	0%
Iron 14.2mg	0%
Potassium 7383.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1.7%

Protein: 3.9%

Carbs: 94.4%