Onion Relish Recipe

This sweet Onion Relish Recipe features Vidalia onions and fresh bell peppers for color. You can enjoy it on hot dogs, grilled brats, sandwiches, hamburgers or with a bowl of pinto beans. You can also whip it with cream cheese and serve it with crackers or pita chips as an appetizer.

Easy Onion Relish Recipe

Sweet onions and peppers are abundant at this time of year. Paired together, they make the most mouthwatering pickled onion relish. Using pantry ingredients, you can make a batch of onion relish to serve as a tasty topping for a bowl of pinto beans, butter beans or fresh lima beans. You can also transform it into an appetizer adding it to whipped cream cheese and serve it as a dip with crackers and chips.

Don’t just stop there, we love it as a sweet and tangy topping for hoagies, salads, sandwiches and hot dogs. The preparation is super simple and the serving options are endless.

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make simple Vidalia Onion Relish Recipe: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Onion – Six cups diced Vidalia onions gives this relish its signature flavor.
• Oil – Two tablespoons of vegetable oil.
• Bell Peppers – One medium red bell pepper and one medium yellow bell pepper.
• Apple – One medium Granny Smith apple expands the flavor profile.
• Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar gives the relish a tangy flavor.
• Seasonings – Two teaspoons red pepper flakes, one teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon celery seed.
• Mustard – One tablespoon whole grain mustard for both color and flavor.
• Sugar – One cup granulated sugar for sweetness.
• Pickling Spice – Pickling spice for seasoning.
• Instant Pectin – Instant pectin thickens the liquid onion relish.

How to Make the Best Onion Relish Recipe

What is Onion Relish? It’s a sweet pickled relish that can be used on chicken, steak, pork and fish. In the instance of this recipe, I add fresh red and yellow bell peppers for color and to expand the flavor profile.

• Cook Onion and Peppers – In a heavy bottomed medium size pot heat vegetable oil. Add onion and peppers. Cook over medium-high heat until they begin to soften and turn translucent.
• Apple – Add grated apple to the pot.
• Seasonings – Add red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, celery seed, vinegar, mustard and sugar. Stir until dissolved.
• Prepare Pickling Spice – Tie the pickling spice in cheesecloth or place into a tea diffuser. Center in the saucepan. Simmer uncovered over low heat per the recipe stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Instant Pectin – Remove pickling spice from the pot and add instant pectin. Bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let cool completely.
• Refrigerate – Store chilled in the refrigerator.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Onion Relish

• Large heavy bottomed pot or saucepan.
• Knife and cutting board or food processor.
• Cheesecloth or a tea diffuser for the pickling spices.
• Large spoon for stirring.
• Measuring cups and spoons.

What is Pectin?

Pectin is in essence, a naturally occuring starch found in vegetables and fruits. It’s used as a thickener for jams, jellies, and relishes like this recipe. The different kinds of pectin perform differently. For this recipe, instant pectin works beautifully. Should you want to preserve this relish and can it, you’ll need a different pectin that will hold up to processing.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Canning Onion Relish – Can this onion relish be canned using proper canning technique? This recipe uses instant pectin. You could can this onion relish recipe, however you would need to use classic Ball’s RealFruit pectin or universal pectin so it won’t break down during the hot water bath when processing the jars. Start with one 1.75 ounce box (4 tablespoons) and adjust the thickness after boiling the onion relish adding more if needed, before ladling into the jars to can.
• Onion – You could use red onion or yellow onion for this recipe for a stronger onion flavor.
• Peppers – You can make this recipe without the bell peppers or use green bell peppers in place of yellow bell pepper.
• Spice – You could also add poblano or jalapeno to add spice to the onion relish flavor.
• Vinegar – You could use white balsamic vinegar (sweet balsamic onion relish) or white vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar.
• Use Clean Utensils – When making a pickled relish such as this recipe, it’s important to use clean spoons or forks when dipping into the jars for serving to prevent cross contamination.
• How to Serve Onion Relish – You can serve this on the top of pinto beans, with stew, soups, salads, on hot dogs as a condiment, bratwurst, burger, chicken sandwiches, with pork chops or on sandwiches.
• Onion Chutney – Onion chutney and Vidalia onion relish are very similar in taste. Onion chutney may include more fruit such as peaches, apricots or raisins, to make it sweeter and thicker. You can serve them both the same way.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – You can store this easy Onion Relish Recipe in an airtight container or mason jar chilled in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Freezer – You can freeze this in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and stir well prior to using.

More Southern Style Condiments to Make

• Bread and Butter Refrigerator Pickles are stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 month and no canning is required.
• Southern Chow Chow made with chopped green cabbage, peppers and onion and carefully crafted seasonings.
• Hillbilly Cole Slaw is tossed with a sweet and tangy vinegar dressing.
• Special Burger Sauce can be served on burgers or used as a dip with french fries.
• Fresh Cilantro Pesto is delicious on tacos, mixed with rice or pasta or served as a topping for steak and fajitas.
• Sweet Pickle Relish from Miss in the Kitchen.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Cutting Boards
• Measuring Set
• Kitchen Utensils
• Dutch Oven