If you’re craving a vibrant, tangy, and just a little bit sweet condiment to brighten up your meals, the Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe is exactly what you need in your kitchen repertoire. This relish is a celebration of crisp red and green peppers paired with sharp red onions, all pickled to perfection in a lively vinegar base infused with mustard seeds, celery seeds, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. It’s the perfect refrigerator staple that brings an irresistible punch to everything from burgers to grilled veggies, making every bite pop with flavor and color.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe lies in its simplicity—each ingredient plays a crucial role in delivering bright colors, balanced tanginess, and just the right amount of sweetness and spice.
- Red bell peppers (2 cups, thinly sliced): Add beautiful red hues and a sweet crunch that complements the acidity perfectly.
- Green bell peppers (1 cup, thinly sliced): Offer a vibrant contrast in color and a fresh, crisp bite.
- Red onions (1 ½ cups, thinly sliced): Bring sharpness and slight sweetness that mellows during pickling.
- Apple cider vinegar (1 cup): Provides the essential tangy base that preserves and flavors the relish.
- Water (½ cup): Balances out the vinegar ensuring the pickling liquid is not overwhelmingly sour.
- Granulated sugar (¼ cup): Sweetens the mix just enough to harmonize with the vinegar’s acidity.
- Kosher salt (1 tablespoon): Enhances flavors and helps draw moisture from the vegetables for better pickling.
- Mustard seeds (1 teaspoon): Impart a subtle nutty aroma and a slight spice kick.
- Celery seeds (½ teaspoon): Add a unique earthy and savory depth that elevates the relish.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (¼ teaspoon, optional): Bring a gentle heat that’s completely customizable based on your spice preference.
How to Make Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pickling Liquid
Start by whisking together apple cider vinegar, water, granulated sugar, kosher salt, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and crushed red pepper flakes in a medium saucepan. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring gently until the sugar and salt completely dissolve. This step is crucial as it ensures your relish will have a perfectly balanced sweet-tart base loaded with aromatic spices.
Step 2: Add the Sliced Vegetables
Once your pickling liquid is boiling, add in the thinly sliced red and green bell peppers along with the red onions. The slices need to be thin so they absorb the flavors well but retain a satisfying crunch. Return the mixture to a boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer. Let it cook gently for about three to four minutes — just enough time to soften the vegetables slightly without losing their crispness.
Step 3: Cool and Store Your Relish
Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool for 15 to 20 minutes, letting the flavors meld together beautifully. Then, carefully transfer both the vegetables and the liquid into a clean jar or airtight container. Refrigerate the relish for at least four hours, but trust me, letting it rest overnight brings out the best vibrant flavors.
How to Serve Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe
Garnishes
This Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe doubles as a fantastic garnish. Sprinkle a spoonful over creamy deviled eggs or use it to top bruschetta for an unexpected burst of zest and color. The tangy-sweet notes lift these dishes from ordinary to delightfully addictive.
Side Dishes
It pairs beautifully with simple grilled meats like burgers, hot dogs, or chicken, cutting through the richness with its bright acidity. You can also serve it alongside roasted vegetables or as a tangy topping for mashed potatoes or rice bowls.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond sandwiches—try mixing the relish into creamy dips for a flavor-packed party snack or layering it in a vibrant salad with fresh greens and toasted nuts. The crunchy texture and piquant notes add a refreshing complexity wherever you add it.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This relish keeps wonderfully well, lasting up to two weeks in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. The flavors continue to develop over time, so it’s a great condiment to make ahead for busy weeks.
Freezing
Because the vegetables retain their crispness best in the fridge, freezing is not recommended as it can alter the texture, resulting in a softer relish upon thawing. For best results, enjoy this relish fresh or well-chilled from the fridge.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat this relish since it’s meant to be served chilled or at room temperature. If you want to warm it slightly when topping hot dishes, just let it come to room temperature beforehand or add it fresh as a contrast.
FAQs
Can I use other types of peppers in this recipe?
Absolutely! While red and green bell peppers are traditional for their mild sweetness and color, you can experiment with poblano or banana peppers for a slightly different heat profile and flavor.
How spicy is the relish?
The relish has a gentle warmth from the crushed red pepper flakes, but it is very mild overall. You can easily adjust the spice by increasing or omitting the pepper flakes depending on your preference.
How long should I wait before eating the relish?
For the best flavor, refrigerate the relish for at least four hours. Overnight chilling lets all the flavors really meld and the textures settle, making each bite more delicious.
Is this relish vegan-friendly?
Yes! This Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe is 100% vegan, using only plant-based ingredients. It’s a great topping to add a punch to vegan and vegetarian dishes alike.
Can I adjust the sweetness?
Definitely. The sweetness can be tailored by adding more or less sugar according to your taste. Start with the recommended amount, then adjust in future batches based on what you enjoy most.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about a homemade Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe—its lively colors, zesty tang, and just-right crunch can elevate even the simplest meal. I encourage you to try making this relish yourself; it’s quick, rewarding, and endlessly versatile. Once you taste it, you’ll find it hard to imagine your fridge without a jar of this delightful condiment!
Print
Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 pint (about 8 servings)
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish is a vibrant and tangy condiment made with thinly sliced red and green bell peppers and red onions, pickled in a flavorful mixture of apple cider vinegar, sugar, and spices. Perfect as a topping for burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, or grilled meats, it offers a crisp texture and a balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. Simple to prepare on the stovetop, this relish can be refrigerated for up to two weeks, enhancing any meal with its bright and zesty profile.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 cups thinly sliced red bell peppers
- 1 cup thinly sliced green bell peppers
- 1 ½ cups thinly sliced red onions
Pickling Liquid
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon celery seeds
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pickling Liquid: In a medium saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, water, granulated sugar, kosher salt, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar and salt have fully dissolved.
- Add the Vegetables: Add the thinly sliced red and green bell peppers along with the red onions to the boiling pickling liquid. Return the mixture to a boil to ensure everything is heated evenly.
- Simmer Briefly: Reduce the heat to low and allow the vegetables and pickling liquid to simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes. This will soften the vegetables slightly while keeping their crispness intact.
- Cool the Mixture: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the relish mixture cool for 15 to 20 minutes. This cooling step helps the flavors meld together and prevents the jar from cracking when filled with hot liquid.
- Transfer and Refrigerate: Carefully pour the cooled relish, including the pickling liquid, into a clean jar or airtight container. Seal the container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before using to allow the flavors to develop fully. For best results, let it sit overnight.
Notes
- This relish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Adjust the sweetness or heat by modifying the amount of sugar or crushed red pepper flakes according to your taste preferences.
- Use as a flavorful topping on burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, or alongside grilled meats to add brightness and texture.
- Ensure the jar or container used for storage is clean to maximize shelf life and freshness.
