Easy Sweet Green Cucumber Relish Recipe

Are you looking for a simple and delicious way to add flavor to your sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs? This Sweet Green Cucumber Relish recipe is here to the rescue!

Made with fresh cucumbers, onions, and a blend of spices, this relish is a delightful addition to potato salad, macaroni salad, tuna salad, and egg salad… you get the idea. This is my mom’s recipe, and she’s been making it for the past forty years or so during cucumber season! This sweet green cucumber relish is as tried and true as can be! Let’s make some homemade relish!

Questions you might have about making sweet green cucumber relish recipe

Can I use smaller cucumbers, or do they have to be large?

The recipe specifies large cucumbers, but you can use smaller ones if that’s what you have. Adjust the quantity accordingly.

Do I need to peel the cucumbers?

The recipe suggests leaving the skin on for added texture. However, if you prefer a smoother relish, you can peel the cucumbers.

Can I use pickling cucumbers for this recipe?

Yes, pickling cucumbers can be used. They are often smaller and have fewer seeds, making them a good choice for relish. Garden cucumbers would be perfect as well. I choose whatever I have, or that is on sale at the grocery store. I often use english cucumbers.

Do I have to remove all the seeds from the cucumbers?

Removing the seeds ensures a smoother texture, but if you don’t mind, you can leave some seeds.

Can I substitute white vinegar with another type?

While we always made it with white vinegar, you can experiment with apple cider vinegar for a slightly different flavor.

Can I reduce the sugar for a less sweet relish?

Yes, you can adjust the sugar quantity to suit your taste. Keep in mind that it may alter the overall balance of flavors.

How long does this homemade sweet pickle relish last, and how should it be stored?

When properly sealed and stored in a cool, dark place, the relish can last up to a year. Once opened, store it in the refrigerator and use within a few weeks.

Can I skip the ice cube step during the resting period?

The ice cube step helps draw out excess moisture for a better texture. While it’s recommended, you can skip it if you’re short on time.

Do I have to use a meat grinder, or can I use a food processor or chop the vegetables by hand?

You can certainly use a food processor or chop the vegetables by hand if you don’t have a food grinder. Aim for a finely chopped vegetables consistency. The texture will not be the same as if you use a meat grinder, but the flavor will be.

Can I use this relish right away, or does it need time to mature?

While you can use it immediately, the flavors tend to meld and improve over time. Allowing it to sit for a week before consuming can enhance the taste.

Can I make this homemade sweet pickle relish recipe without canning it?

Yes, you can refrigerate this sweet cucumber relish without the canning process if you plan to consume it within a few weeks. For longer storage, consider proper canning procedures.

Equipment:

Cutting Board: For chopping and preparing the vegetables.

Knife: A sharp knife for cutting cucumbers, onions, green peppers, and garlic.

Meat Grinder: To finely grind the cucumbers, onions, green peppers, and garlic. This helps achieve a consistent texture for the relish.

Large Pot: To mix and cook the relish ingredients. Choose a pot that can accommodate the ground vegetable mixture and additional ingredients.

Measuring Spoons and Cups: For accurate measurement of salt, sugar, vinegar, turmeric, celery seeds, and mustard seeds.

Spatula or Spoon: For stirring and mixing the ingredients in the pot.

Ice Cubes: To cover the vegetable mixture and aid in drawing out excess moisture during the resting period.

Sterilized Jars with Lids: For storing the prepared relish. Make sure the jars are properly cleaned and sterilized to ensure the longevity of your relish.

Ladle: For transferring the hot relish into sterilized jars.

Canning Funnel: A funnel with a wide opening to easily fill the jars without making a mess.

Water Bath Canner: To process your homemade sweet relish to make it last longer on your pantry shelf.

Jar Lifter or Tongs: To safely lift hot jars in and out of boiling water during the canning process.

Ensure that all your equipment is clean and in good condition before starting this sweet green cucumber relish recipe. Following these steps with the right tools will help you create a delicious batch of Sweet Green Cucumber Relish.

Ingredients:

• 5 large cucumbers (seeds removed, skin on)
• 3 large onions
• 2 green bell peppers
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons of coarse pickling salt or kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups of white sugar
• 1 cup of vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon of celery seeds
• 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds

Instructions:

Prepare Your Ingredients:

Start by washing the cucumbers, green peppers, and onions thoroughly. No need to peel the cucumbers.
Cut them in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.

Coarsely chop the onions, green peppers, and garlic cloves in order for them to fit through the mouth of the meat grinder.

Grind the Vegetables:

Place a large bowl beneath the meat grinder.

Using the meat grinder, grind the cucumbers, onions, green peppers, and garlic.

Rest and Drain:

Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of coarse pickling salt evenly over the mixture.

Place ice cubes on top to cover the mixture.

Allow it to rest for 2 hours.

After the resting period, remove any leftover ice cubes and add the cucumber mixture to a sieve (you might need to do this in batches).

Press the mixture with a spoon to remove some of the excess liquid. You do not need to remove it all.

Transfer the mixture to a large pot.

Sweeten and Spice:

Add 1 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 cup of vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon of celery seeds, and 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds to the pot.

Mix and Simmer:

Stir everything together.

Place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat.

Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring occasionally.

Once it reaches a full rolling boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for a few more minutes (2 to 3 minutes will do).

Remove the pot from the heat.

Jar It Up:

Carefully ladle the hot relish into sterilized canning jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of the top for headspace.
Seal the jars tightly with lids.

Process in a water bath:

If you are planning on keeping your jars of sweet green cucumber relish in your pantry for a long period of time, it is strongly recommended to process them in a water bath for 10 minutes.

You can check out the National Center for Home Food Preservation website for instructions on the water bath method. I also wrote an article on water bath canning to help you with the process.

Cool and Store:

Once processed, allow the jars to cool at room temperature. You may hear the lids pop as they seal.
Store your Sweet Green Cucumber Relish in a cool, dark place. It should last for up to a year. Once opened, keep it in the refrigerator and use within a few weeks.

Sweet Green Cucumber Relish Recipe

This sweet green cucumber relish recipe is a great condiment to complement sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and salads. It's also easy to make!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Condiments, Side Dish

Cuisine American, French Canadian

Servings 4 Pint-size jars

Ingredients

  

• 5 large cucumbers seeds removed, skin on
• 3 large onions
• 2 green bell peppers
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons of coarse pickling salt or kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups of white sugar
• 1 cup of vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon of celery seeds
• 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds

Instructions

 

Prepare Your Ingredients:

• Start by washing the cucumbers, green peppers, and onions thoroughly. No need to peel the cucumbers.
• Cut them in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.
• Coarsely chop the onions, green peppers, and garlic cloves in order for them to fit through the mouth of the meat grinder.

Grind the Vegetables:

• Place a large bowl beneath the meat grinder.
• Using the meat grinder, grind the cucumbers, onions, green peppers, and garlic.

Combine and Rest:

• Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of coarse pickling salt evenly over the mixture.
• Place ice cubes on top to cover the mixture.
• Allow it to rest for 2 hours.
• After the resting period, remove any leftover ice cubes and add the cucumber mixture to a sieve (you might need to do this in batches). Press the mixture with a spoon to remove some of the excess liquid.
• Transfer the mixture to a large pot.

Sweeten and Spice:

• Add 1 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 cup of vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon of celery seeds, and 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds to the pot.

Mix and Heat:

• Stir everything together.
• Place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat.
• Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring occasionally.

Simmer and Remove:

• Once it reaches a full rolling boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for a few more minutes (2 to 3 minutes will do).
• Remove the pot from the heat.

Jar It Up:

• Carefully ladle the hot relish into sterilized canning jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of the top for headspace.
• Seal the jars tightly with lids.

Process in a water bath:

• If you are planning on keeping your jars of sweet green cucumber relish in your pantry for a long period of time, it is strongly recommended to process them in a water bath for 10 minutes.
• You can check out the National Center for Home Food Preservation website for instructions on the water bath method. I also wrote an article on water bath canning to help you with the process.

Cool and Store:

• Once processed, allow the jars to cool at room temperature. You may hear the lids pop as they seal.
• Store your Sweet Green Cucumber Relish in a cool, dark place. It should last for up to a year. Once opened, keep it in the refrigerator and use within a few weeks.

Keyword Relish