Name: Sweet Cucumber Relish Recipe
Prep time: 150 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 170 min
Ingredients: 4 cups finely chopped cucumbers ((about 4 medium cucumbers)); 2 cups finely chopped onions; 1 cup finely chopped green bell peppers; 1 cup finely chopped red bell peppers; ¼ cup pickling or canning salt; 3 ½ cups sugar; 2 cups apple cider vinegar (5% acidity); 1 tablespoon mustard seeds; 2 teaspoons celery seeds; 1 tablespoon ground turmeric

I’ve been making this sweet cucumber relish every summer for over a decade. What started as a way to use up garden cucumbers has turned into a pantry essential in our house. It’s flavorful, tangy, and just sweet enough, perfect on burgers, hot dogs, or spooned into tuna salad. With waterbath canning, so you can keep it on the shelf all year long.

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sealed jars of sweet relish on red checkered cloth.

If you’ve never made homemade pickle relish before, this version is surprisingly simple and absolutely worth the effort. Let me show you exactly how to make it step by step.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

Don’t use regular salt for this. It has additives that will affect your relish.

measured ingredients in bowls on counter.

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Equipment

Waterbath canner
6 pint-size canning jars with lids and bands
Large mixing bowl
Colander
Large pot

Ingredients

4 cups finely chopped cucumbers (about 4 medium cucumbers)
2 cups finely chopped onions
1 cup finely chopped green bell peppers
1 cup finely chopped red bell peppers
¼ cup pickling or canning salt
3 ½ cups sugar
2 cups apple cider vinegar, 5% acidity
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
2 teaspoons celery seeds
1 tablespoon ground turmeric

If you’d like to double or triple this recipe, you can make adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Sweet Cucumber Relish

Step One: Chop And Salt

Finely chop cucumbers, onions, and bell peppers. In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped vegetables with pickling salt. Mix well.

Step Two: Drain

Cover the bowl and let stand for 2 hours. Then, rinse the mixture in a colander under cold water and allow to drain completely. It draws out water from the vegetables and keeps your relish crunchy. Skipping it might give you a softer relish than you’re hoping for.

Step Three: Sterilize Jars

Heat jars in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Wash lids in warm, soapy water and set aside with bands.

Step Four: Combine Vinegar And Spices

In a large pot, mix the sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

vinegar, spices, and sugar in pot with wooden spoon.

Step Five: Add Vegetables

Add the drained vegetable mixture to the vinegar solution. Return to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

veggies added to pot with vinegar and spices.

Step Six: Fill Jars

Pack the hot relish into hot jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rim of the jars with a clean, damp cloth. Place the lid on the jar and secure with the band until fingertip tight.

jars being filled, debubbled, and rims wiped clean.

Step Seven: Process

Place jars in the waterbath canner, making sure they are covered by at least 1 inch of water. Bring to a rolling boil and process for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove from the canner and allow to cool undisturbed.

Step Eight: Check Seals

After cooling, check that the lids are properly sealed by pressing the center of the lid. It should not flex. Store in a cool, dark place.

Serving & Storing

Serve with hot dogs and hamburgers or mixed into sandwiches, wraps, tuna salad, or potato salad.

Store the jars in a cool, dark place, like a pantry or a cupboard, away from direct sunlight. Properly sealed jars can last up to a year.

Once you open a jar, keep it in the refrigerator and use it within 2-3 months.

close up of pickle relish in white bowl.

If you have people who don’t like sweet, make this dill pickle relish for them.
For a spicier option, try this spicy jalapeno relish.
This cucumber and onion salad is a classic, fresh way to use up your cucumbers.
Cold cucumber chicken salad is a summer lunch that’s great for meal prep.