Easy Homemade Sweet Cucumber Relish Recipe
Get ready to elevate your summer barbecues with this irresistible sweet cucumber relish! Bursting with flavors of crisp cucumbers, colorful bell peppers, and aromatic spices, this homemade condiment will take your grilled dishes to the next level.
As the warm days of summer approach, it’s time to stock up on essential condiments for those perfect outdoor gatherings. While ketchup, mustard, and mayo are staples, don’t forget about the unsung hero of the condiment world – relish! This sweet cucumber relish recipe is the perfect addition to your culinary arsenal, bringing a burst of tangy sweetness to complement any grilled delight.
Our unique two-step approach ensures a perfectly balanced texture. We start by grating and chopping the vegetables to achieve a fine consistency, then simmer them in a flavorful blend of vinegar, sugar, and aromatic seeds. The result? A relish that’s sweet and tangy, with subtle notes of celery and a hint of mustard seed bitterness to round out the flavors.
Ingredients
- 3 large cucumbers, washed, seeded, and cut into 4 large chunks
- 2 medium white onions, quartered
- 2 medium red bell peppers, seeded
- 1 large green bell pepper, seeded
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons mustard seed
- 2 teaspoons celery seed
Directions
- Start by preparing your vegetables. Using either the grating disc of a food processor or a box grater with medium-sized holes, grate the cucumbers. Then, use the steel blade of the food processor to pulse the grated cucumbers until finely chopped. Repeat this process with the onions and bell peppers.
- In a medium bowl, combine the chopped cucumbers, onions, and peppers. Sprinkle the salt over the mixture and stir well. Cover the bowl and let it sit for 30 minutes. This step helps draw out excess moisture from the vegetables, concentrating their flavors.
- After 30 minutes, transfer the vegetable mixture to a fine-mesh strainer. Rinse thoroughly under cold water, then use a rubber spatula to press the vegetables against the sides of the strainer, removing as much water as possible. This ensures your relish won’t be watery.
- Now it’s time to create the flavorful base for your relish. In a medium saucepan, combine the cider vinegar, sugar, mustard seed, and celery seed. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to ensure the sugar dissolves completely.
- Add your drained vegetable mixture to the saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This cooking process allows the vegetables to absorb the sweet and tangy flavors of the vinegar mixture while softening slightly.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the relish to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer your homemade sweet cucumber relish to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will keep fresh for several weeks.
Tips for Perfect Relish
- For best results, choose firm, fresh cucumbers with minimal seeds.
- Don’t skip the salting step – it’s crucial for achieving the right texture and flavor concentration.
- Feel free to adjust the sugar content to suit your taste preferences. Some like it sweeter, others tangier!
- This relish is versatile – try it on hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, or even as a zesty addition to potato salad.
Serving Suggestions
This sweet cucumber relish is the perfect accompaniment to classic summer fare. Spread it generously on hot dogs and burgers fresh off the grill, or use it to add a tangy crunch to your favorite sandwich. For a unique twist, try mixing a spoonful into your deviled egg filling or potato salad for an extra burst of flavor. The possibilities are endless!
Storage and Shelf Life
Your homemade sweet cucumber relish will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. The flavors will continue to meld and develop over time, so don’t be surprised if it tastes even better after a few days!
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 20 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 51 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 191mg | 8% |
| Total Carbohydrate 12g | 4% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 2% |
| Total Sugars 10g | |
| Protein 1g | |
| Vitamin C 34mg | 170% |
| Calcium 16mg | 1% |
| Iron 0mg | 2% |
| Potassium 133mg | 3% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This sweet cucumber relish is more than just a condiment – it’s a game-changer for your summer meals. Its perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, coupled with the satisfying crunch of fresh vegetables, will have your guests asking for the recipe. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make, allowing you to whip up a batch whenever you need to restock your summer essentials.
Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe is foolproof and rewarding. The joy of creating your own condiments from scratch is unmatched, and once you taste the difference, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought relish again!
So fire up the grill, invite your friends and family over, and get ready to impress them with your homemade sweet cucumber relish. It’s the perfect way to add a personal touch to your summer gatherings and create lasting memories around good food and great company.