Pickles, salt, sugar, and vinegar make up sweet pickle relish, a condiment or topping. It’s frequently served as a hot dog topping or as a side dish with vegetables and other savory foods. Sweet relish adds a nice contrast to a variety of dishes while also providing a crunchy texture.
While pickles are almost always the main ingredient in sweet relish, some recipes call for a variety of vegetables. Everything from peppers and onions to cauliflower and celery can be used. Without being overpowering, each ingredient adds a subtle hint of texture and flavor to the mix. Spices have been added to some forms for an extra kick.
The sour notes of the vinegar and the sweetness of the added sugar create a flavor contrast in sweet relish. Commercial brands frequently substitute high fructose corn syrup for real sugar in homemade recipes. Both sweeteners are used by some brands. Those who want to avoid using anything other than real cane sugar should buy an organic option or make their relish from scratch.
Sweet relish, unlike other sweet pickle preparations, usually requires chopping or dicing the pickles into very small pieces. This adds texture to the mix but takes away some of the crunch. Larger-cut pickles can be used to make relish, though this variation is sometimes referred to as sweet salad cubes or something similar.
Sweet relish is commonly served with hot dogs, as a side dish to meats or vegetables, or mixed into dishes like potato salad. It tastes best when combined with flavors that are opposite each other. The best food to serve a relish with is determined by its ingredients and flavorings.
Pickling cucumbers, sugar, white vinegar, and pickling salt are all you need to make sweet relish at home. Other ingredients, if desired, can be added. Cucumbers must be finely chopped and cooked for four hours in a pot of water with salt. After that, drain the pot and rinse the cucumbers. After bringing the vinegar and sugar to a boil, the cucumbers are added and cooked for ten minutes. If you’re making a large batch, make sure the mixture is properly canned for storage.