Gelatin Free Sweet Pickle Relish
Sweet pickle relish sounds simple, but a surprising number of store-bought versions sneak in stabilizers or additives that can contain hidden gelatin — making homemade the smarter, cleaner choice. This version is built entirely from fresh vegetables and pantry staples, so you know exactly what's going in the jar. Crisp cucumbers, onion, and green bell pepper get a long salt-and-drain treatment that pulls out excess moisture, giving the finished relish that satisfying, slightly firm texture without any gelling agents doing the work. The brine is a bright, tangy blend of two vinegars with just enough sugar to balance the heat, while mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric bring that classic golden color and warm, complex flavor. It simmers down into something deeply savory-sweet with just a little bite left in the vegetables — the kind of relish that makes a hot dog or a pulled pork sandwich taste like a proper event. Ladled into jars and tucked into the fridge, it's a condiment you'll reach for constantly, and one you can feel genuinely good about serving.
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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.
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