Old Fashioned Pickle Relish Traditional or Spicy

Transform your sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs with this tangy, crunchy, and customizable Old Fashioned Pickle Relish, crafted with your choice of traditional or spicy flavors. Bursting with fresh cucumbers, sweet onions, and vibrant bell peppers, this homemade relish is a delightful balance of sweet, sour, and savory, enhanced with aromatic mustard seeds, celery seeds, and a hint of turmeric. For spice lovers, a kick of red pepper flakes and minced jalapeños takes it to the next level. Perfect for canning or enjoying fresh, this easy-to-make condiment adds a gourmet touch to any meal and makes an excellent gift for food enthusiasts. Whether you're going classic or boldly spicy, this old-fashioned recipe is a pantry essential you’ll return to again and again.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 5

Ingredients

• 6 cups (finely diced or processed) cucumbers (pickling or English)
• 2 cups (finely diced or processed) onions
• 1 cup (finely diced) red bell pepper
• 1 cup (finely diced) green bell pepper
• 1.5 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon celery seeds
• 0.5 teaspoons turmeric
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for spicy version)
• 2 tablespoons fresh jalapeño, finely minced (optional for spicy version)

Directions

Step 1

Wash and finely dice or process the cucumbers, onions, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. You can use a food processor for uniform, finely chopped pieces.

Step 2

Place the diced vegetables in a large bowl. Sprinkle the kosher salt over the mixture and stir well. Cover the bowl and let it sit for 2 hours at room temperature to allow the vegetables to release excess water.

Step 3

Drain the salted vegetables in a fine mesh strainer and rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt. Press gently to remove any remaining liquid, then set aside.

Step 4

In a large non-reactive pot, combine the sugar, white vinegar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric. For the spicy version, add the crushed red pepper flakes and minced jalapeños. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.

Step 5

Add the drained vegetable mixture to the pot and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the relish thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.

Step 6

Remove the pot from heat and let the relish cool slightly. If canning, proceed immediately with sterilized jars. Otherwise, let it cool fully and transfer to airtight containers.

Step 7

For traditional water-bath canning: Ladle the hot relish into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims clean, seal with lids and bands, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Allow jars to cool completely before storing.

Step 8

Store canned relish in a cool, dark place for up to a year. For fresh storage, refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 4 weeks.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2945.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2086.9

Total Fat 6.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2729.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 501.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.3g	0%
Total Sugars 452.9g
Protein 18.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 424.0mg	0%
Iron 9.2mg	0%
Potassium 3780.5mg	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: 2.7%

Protein: 3.5%

Carbs: 93.7%