Sweet Pickle Relish Recipe

I love this pickle relish on a brat or homemade hamburgers. Add to potato or egg salads as well. A great summer food addition.

This recipe can be processed safely in a water bath canner.

Yield is about 8 half-pint jars.

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This Page Includes:

• Pickle Relish: Extended, Step-By-Step Directions
• Recipe Card
• {FAQ} How Long Does Pickle Relish Last in the Fridge?
• {FAQ} How Do You Get the Excess Water Out for Pickle Relish?
• {FAQ} How to Use Sweet Pickle Relish

Pickle Relish: Extended, Step-By-Step Directions

Gather Your Canning Supplies:

• water bath canner
• canning jars
• canning seals and rings
• jar lifter
• canning funnel
• large pot
• bowls
• large spoons
• sharp knife
• crinkle cutter (optional)
• towels and dish cloths
• salad spinner (optional)
• ladle

Ingredients:

• 1 quart chopped cucumber
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped green pepper
• 1 cup chopped red pepper for color (you can substitute more green if you don’t have red)
• 1/4 cup canning salt
• 3 cups sugar
• 2 cups cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. celery seed
• 1 Tbsp. mustard seed

How to Make Pickle Relish

Combine chopped cucumbers, onion, and peppers in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and cover with cold water. Let stand for 2 hours.

Start by preparing jars. Get water in your canner heating. (See water bath canning for full directions.)

Drain well. Press/spin out any excess water.

Combine sugar, vinegar, and spices. Bring to a boil. Add well-drained vegetables and simmer 10 minutes.

Pack into hot jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe rims clean and process sweet pickle relish according to water bath canning directions.

Canning Pickle Relish

Process half-pints for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude according to the chart below. For more information on why this is important, see this altitude adjustments page.

Sweet Message About Sweet Pickle Relish from My Friend, Rita

Love my friends! And it looks like I need to have a pickle making party!

Sharon ~ I would LOVE to have your recipe for your sweet relish!! OY! Its sooooooo good! Remember, you left a jar here after the kids b-day last September? I’ve been hiding it in the back of the fridge cause its almost gone! lol! I will learn how to make that this year!! ~ Rita

Pinnable Recipe Card

Sweet Pickle Relish

I love this sweet pickle relish on a brat or homemade hamburgers. Add to potato or egg salads as well. A great summer food addition.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Processing Half-Pints (adjust for altitude):10 minutes mins

Total Time:2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Equipment

• Water Bath Canner
• Canning Jars
• Canning Lids and Rings
• Large Pot
• Funnel, Jar Lifter, Lid Lifter, Bubble Tool
• Ladle

Ingredients

• 1 quart Cucumber chopped
• 2 cups Onion(s) chopped
• 1 cup Peppers green, chopped
• 1 cup Peppers red, chopped
• ¼ cup Canning Salt
• 3 ½ cups Sugar
• 2 cups Vinegar cider
• 1 Tablespoon Celery Seed
• 1 Tablespoon Mustard Seed

Instructions

• Start by preparing jars and getting water in the canner heating. You want the canner hot, but not boiling, when the jars are ready to be processed.

  See full water bath canning instructions here.  

Hot Pack only

• Combine vegetables in a large bowl. 
• Sprinkle with salt and cover with cold water. 
• Let stand 2 hours. 
• Drain well, pressing out excess water.  
• Mix sugar, vinegar, and spices and bring to a boil. 
• Add well-drained vegetables to vinegar mixture. Simmer 10 minutes. 
• Pack into hot jars, leaving 1/4” headspace.  
• Remove air bubbles, wipe rim clean, and place on seal and ring. Place the jar in the warm canner. Proceed to fill all jars. Process according to chart below.   

Notes

Processing with a Water Bath Canner

Place the jar in the warm canner. Proceed to fill all jars placing them in the canner.

When all the jars are filled, bring the water in the canner to a boil.  When a boil is reached that is when you’ll start your timing.   Process for the length of time on the chart below.  Adjust for your altitude. 

 After your time is over, turn the heat off remove the lid and allow the canner to rest for about 5 minutes. Then bring your jars up out of the water.  Allow them to rest for another 5 minutes. Then remove the jars and place them a few inches apart on a thick towel to cool completely.  Leave them alone for about 12 hours.  

When they are cooled remove the metal bands, check the seals, label the jars and store them away! 

Processing Times for Water Bath Canner (Hot Pack) 

Altitude – Half-Pints  

0-1,000 ft – 10 minutes 

1,001-3,000 ft – 15 minutes 

3,001-6,000 ft – 20 minutes 

Above 6,000 ft – 25 minutes 

Adapted from: Ball Blue Book

Servings: 8 1/2 pint jars

Author: Sharon Peterson

Pickle Relish Tips & FAQs

How Long Does Pickle Relish Last in the Fridge?

I’ve never really tested it, but I don’t ever remember pickle relish going moldy on me! It is pickled with vinegar so that will help preserve it. I’d estimate it should last in the fridge for at least a month, then just watch for signs of spoilage.

How Do You Get the Excess Water Out for Pickle Relish?

I use a salad spinner after the soaking time to get excess water out. It works great!

If you don’t have one, simply put your mix in a colander and press to drain the extra water. You can also wrap the whole thing up in a towel, take it outside, and whirl it around. The extra water will drain out. Make sure you have a tight grip and don’t end up spewing your canning project over the front lawn!

How to Use Sweet Pickle Relish

So it is pretty obvious that this is a relish that is the perfect combination with hamburgers, hot dogs, or brats. But you know how I use it the most? Chicken sandwiches!

Simply mix some of this relish in with home canned chicken breast and some shredded cheddar cheese. Add a couple shakes of hot sauce, some salt and pepper, and enough Miracle Whip to moisten. Spread it on a sandwich or mix with some macaroni for a cold macaroni salad. A quick summer lunch!

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Source: Ball Blue Book

Page Last Updated: 5/5/2021