Citric Acid Free Classic Relish
Homemade relish is one of those condiments that makes everything it touches taste better — hot dogs, burgers, grain bowls, even a simple cheese board. Most store-bought versions sneak in citric acid as a preservative, which makes finding a safe jar genuinely frustrating if you're sensitive to it. This recipe keeps things clean and straightforward, relying on white distilled vinegar, sugar, and warm spices like mustard seed, celery seed, and turmeric to do all the preserving and flavoring work. The salt-and-drain step is the real secret here — it pulls excess moisture from the cucumbers, onions, and bell peppers so the finished relish has that satisfying, slightly chunky texture instead of turning watery and limp. The color is gorgeous too, that golden turmeric hue flecked with red and green pepper. Once it's jarred and chilled, it keeps beautifully in the fridge and tastes even better after a day or two when the flavors have had time to meld.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
16 servings
- 4 cups english cucumbers, finely chopped (about 3 medium cucumbers)
- 1 cup yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 medium onion)
- ½ cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
- ½ cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 cup white distilled vinegar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp mustard seed
- ½ tsp celery seed
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
Instructions
- 1
Combine the chopped cucumbers, onion, and both bell peppers in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the kosher salt over the vegetables and toss to coat. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour, until the vegetables have released a significant amount of liquid.
- 2
Transfer the salted vegetables to a colander and rinse thoroughly under cold running water. Press firmly with your hands or the back of a spoon to squeeze out as much liquid as possible — the vegetables should feel noticeably drier.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!