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Homemade garden relish cooking in a large pot with finely chopped cucumbers, peppers, and onions.
At the Ritter Table's avatarAt the Ritter Table

Garden Vegetable Relish

A sweet and tangy homemade garden relish made with fresh cucumbers, peppers, onions, and tomatoes — the perfect way to preserve summer garden harvests for macaroni salad, burgers, tuna salad, hot dogs, sandwiches, and more.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Soak & Strain 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 5 pints

Ingredients
  

  • 5 cups chopped cucumber
  • 3 cups chopped bell peppers optional - add a jalapeño or two for spice
  • 3 cups chopped onions
  • 1/4 cup kosher salt
  • 2 3/4 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cups cane sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 4 tsp mustard seed
  • 4 tsp celery seed

Equipment

  • Large stock pot or Dutch oven
  • Food processor optional but recommended
  • Kitchen scale or measuring cups
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Fine mesh strainer
  • Jars or glass container with lid
  • Water bath canner optional; used when canning
  • Funnel for Jars optional; used when canning
  • Ladel optional; used when canning
  • Lids & bands optional; used when canning

Method
 

Salt the Vegetables
  1. In a large bowl or stock pot, combine the chopped cucumbers, bell peppers, and onions. Cover the vegetables with water and stir in the salt until dissolved. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight to draw out excess moisture.
Drain and Rinse
  1. Drain the vegetables thoroughly in a colander. Rinse well with cold water to remove excess salt, then squeeze or press out as much liquid as possible. Removing excess moisture helps keep the relish crisp and flavorful.
Prepare the Brine
  1. In a large stock pot, combine the apple cider vinegar, sugar, honey, mustard seed, and celery seed. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar and honey are fully dissolved.
Cook the Relish
  1. Add the drained vegetables to the brine mixture and stir well to combine. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften slightly and the flavors blend together.
Prepare the Jars
  1. While the relish cooks, wash and sanitize mason jars, lids, and bands according to safe canning practices. Keep the jars warm until ready to fill.
Fill the Jars
  1. Using a funnel and ladle, carefully fill the jars with the hot relish, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace. Remove air bubbles and wipe the jar rims clean before applying lids and bands fingertip tight.
Process the Relish
  1. Place the filled jars into a boiling water bath canner, ensuring the jars are fully covered with water. Process for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude if necessary.
Cool and Store
  1. Carefully remove the jars and place them on a towel-lined surface to cool completely. Check that the lids have sealed properly before storing. Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate after opening.