Cinnamon Free Sweet Pickle Relish
Most store-bought relishes sneak in warm spices like cinnamon or allspice, which makes label-reading a frustrating chore for anyone avoiding them. This homemade version keeps things clean and bright, relying on mustard seeds, celery seeds, and a touch of turmeric for all the flavor complexity you'd want in a classic condiment. The result is tangy, a little sweet, and genuinely satisfying — the kind of relish that makes a hot dog or a pulled pork sandwich taste like it came from somewhere special. Salting the cucumbers first and pressing out the liquid is the key step that keeps the texture crisp rather than soggy, so don't skip it. A combination of white distilled vinegar and apple cider vinegar gives the brine a layered tartness that balances the sugar beautifully. Once it cools and goes into the fridge, you'll have a versatile condiment ready to go whenever you need it — no ingredient anxiety required.
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!