Capsaicin Free Sweet Pickle Relish
Most store-bought relishes sneak in red pepper flakes, jalapeño brine, or other heat-forward ingredients that make them completely off-limits for anyone avoiding capsaicin. This homemade version keeps things beautifully clean — cucumbers, onion, green bell pepper, and a brine built from vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric, with zero heat anywhere in the ingredient list. The result is a bright, tangy-sweet condiment that delivers all the classic relish flavor you'd expect on a hot dog or mixed into a potato salad. Salting the vegetables first and pressing out the liquid is the key step that gives the finished relish that satisfying, slightly firm texture rather than a mushy, watery jar. The golden turmeric tint makes it look gorgeous, too — almost like something you'd find at a farmers market. Ladled into jars and kept in the fridge, it's ready to use whenever you need a reliable, capsaicin-free condiment that doesn't require any label-reading anxiety.
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
32 servings
- 1 ½ lbs cucumbers (about 3 medium), finely diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- ¾ cup white distilled vinegar
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- ½ tsp celery seeds
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
Instructions
- 1
Combine the diced cucumbers, onion, and green bell pepper 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!