Citric Acid Free Sweet Pickle Relish
Sweet pickle relish sounds simple, but most store-bought versions sneak in citric acid as a preservative, making label-reading a frustrating chore for anyone avoiding it. This homemade version skips that entirely, relying on a double-vinegar brine — white distilled and apple cider — to do all the preserving work naturally. The result is a bright, tangy relish packed with finely diced cucumbers, onion, and green bell pepper, seasoned with mustard seeds, celery seeds, and a touch of turmeric for that gorgeous golden color. Salting the vegetables first and pressing out the liquid is the secret step that keeps everything perfectly textured — tender but with just enough crunch left in every spoonful. A slow simmer in the sweet-savory brine pulls it all together into something that tastes far more complex than the short ingredient list suggests. Spoon it onto hot dogs, stir it into potato salad, or keep a jar in the fridge for whenever you need a little brightness on the plate.
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!