If you are searching for a vibrant burst of flavor that will elevate your meals, the Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe is exactly what you need. This colorful and tangy condiment combines the crunch of fresh bell peppers and onions with a lively vinegar-based marinade, creating a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and mildly spicy notes. It is an incredibly versatile relish that brightens up anything from burgers and sandwiches to grilled meats or even a simple cheese platter. Once you try this Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe, it will quickly become a staple in your kitchen for adding that irresistible zing to your dishes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients together for this relish is refreshingly simple, yet each element plays a crucial role in delivering that perfect harmony of tastes, textures, and eye-catching color.
- Red bell pepper: finely diced to add vibrant sweetness and crunch.
- Green bell pepper: finely diced for a fresh, slightly bitter contrast that balances the sweetness.
- Yellow onion: finely diced to bring a mild sharpness and crunch.
- Jalapeño: finely minced with seeds removed, providing a gentle heat that can be adjusted to your taste.
- Apple cider vinegar: the acidic backbone that pickles and brightens all the flavors.
- Water: used to dilute the vinegar slightly for a balanced tang.
- Sugar: creates a subtle sweetness that mellows the acidity and blends the ingredients beautifully.
- Salt: enhances all the flavors and draws out moisture from the vegetables.
- Mustard seeds: add a warm, subtle spiciness and textural pop.
- Celery seeds: offer a hint of herbal earthiness that elevates the relish’s complexity.
- Turmeric: brings a lovely golden hue and a hint of earthiness that rounds out the spice notes.
- Garlic clove: minced for a savory depth that ties everything together.
How to Make Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Start by finely dicing the red and green bell peppers along with the yellow onion to create uniform pieces. Mince the jalapeño carefully after removing the seeds to control the heat level, and finely chop the garlic clove. Mixing these fresh ingredients in a medium bowl sets the foundation for your relish, ensuring each bite bursts with vibrant texture.
Step 2: Make the Pickling Liquid
In a small saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric. Heat over medium until it gently boils, stirring occasionally. This step dissolves the sugar and allows the spices to bloom, releasing their essential oils and deepening the flavor of your pickled mixture. Once the sugar is dissolved, reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes to perfect the infusion.
Step 3: Marinate the Vegetables
Pour the hot pickling liquid directly over the diced peppers, onion, jalapeño, and garlic. Stir everything thoroughly to coat the vegetables evenly. This hot brine begins the pickling process instantly, softening the edges and melding the flavors beautifully.
Step 4: Cool and Refrigerate
Allow the relish to cool to room temperature. This step is vital for ensuring proper pickling without cooking the vegetables. Once cooled, transfer the relish into a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, though waiting longer lets the flavors develop even more deeply and harmoniously.
How to Serve Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe
Garnishes
This relish makes a delightful garnish on all kinds of dishes. Try spooning it atop hot dogs or brats for that classic tangy kick, or sprinkle it over grilled chicken or pork to introduce a refreshing crunch. Its colorful appearance also brightens any plate, inviting you to dig in.
Side Dishes
Incorporate this relish into your side dishes to add a vibrant flavor twist. It pairs superbly alongside creamy potato salad, roasted vegetable medleys, or even a simple grain bowl, elevating humble sides with its tangy, savory notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Get creative by using the relish as a topping for avocado toast or mixing it into a vegan tartare for extra zest. It also shines when served alongside cheese boards or layered in sandwiches in place of traditional ketchup or mustard, making everyday meals feel extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish keeps wonderfully in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Keeping the jar sealed tightly helps preserve freshness and flavors, so you can enjoy a quick tangy boost whenever hunger strikes.
Freezing
While refrigeration is best for texture, you can freeze the relish if needed. Use an airtight container and thaw overnight in the fridge. Keep in mind freezing may soften the vegetables somewhat, making the relish better suited for cooked dishes afterwards rather than a fresh topping.
Reheating
This relish is typically served cold or at room temperature, so reheating is not necessary. However, if incorporating it into cooked dishes, you can gently warm it on the stove or in the microwave to meld with other ingredients.
FAQs
Can I use other types of peppers in this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with sweet or spicy peppers depending on your preference. Just make sure to finely dice them similar in size to keep the texture consistent.
How spicy is the Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe?
The heat level is mild because the jalapeño seeds are removed. For more kick, you can add extra jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes as desired.
Is this relish vegan and gluten-free?
Yes! This relish is completely vegan and gluten-free, making it suitable for a wide range of dietary needs without compromising flavor.
How long does the relish need to pickle before eating?
For the best taste, refrigerate the relish for at least 4 hours. That way, the flavors have time to meld and develop their signature tangy crunch.
Can I adjust the sweetness or sourness in the recipe?
Definitely. If you prefer a sweeter relish, increase the sugar up to 3/4 cup. For a tangier bite, slightly increasing the vinegar works well, but be sure to balance it with sugar to keep the flavor harmonious.
Final Thoughts
This Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe is a fantastic, easy-to-make condiment that adds brightness and depth to so many meals. It’s a simple way to bring fresh, lively flavor to your table with a colorful, crunchy mix you’ll want to keep on hand. Don’t hesitate to dive in and explore all the delicious possibilities this relish offers — your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Condiment
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This vibrant Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish is a tangy, sweet, and mildly spicy condiment that brightens up hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, or grilled meats. Made with a quick pickling technique, fresh bell peppers, onion, jalapeño, and aromatic spices are combined with a warm vinegar-based brine for a flavorful, easy-to-make relish that develops deeper flavors after a short refrigeration.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 cup green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño, finely minced, seeds removed for mild heat
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Pickling Liquid
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Combine the finely diced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, yellow onion, minced jalapeño (with seeds removed for milder heat), and minced garlic in a medium bowl and set aside.
- Make the pickling liquid: In a small saucepan, add apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Simmer to bloom spices: Reduce the heat and let the pickling liquid simmer for 2 minutes to allow the flavors of the spices to fully develop and infuse into the liquid.
- Combine pickling liquid and vegetables: Carefully pour the hot pickling liquid over the prepared pepper and onion mixture. Stir thoroughly to coat all the vegetables evenly with the hot brine.
- Cool and refrigerate: Allow the relish to cool to room temperature. Then transfer it to a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Serve and enjoy: Use this tangy and sweet relish as a topping for hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, or grilled meats to add a fresh, flavorful kick.
Notes
- This relish keeps well for up to 2 weeks when stored in the refrigerator.
- For a sweeter relish, increase the sugar to 3/4 cup.
- To add more heat, include an additional jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
