Easy Homemade Dill Relish Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 pounds pickling cucumbers
big or small!
- 1/2 cup non-iodized salt
I like this one
- 2 teaspoons tumeric
- 2 medium onions
finely diced
- 1/3 cup organic sugar
- 2 tablespoons dill seed
- 1 tablespoon mustard seed
- 4 bay leaves
- 4 cups white vinegar
Directions
- 1
Wash the cucumbers and peel if desired (I peeled about half of each one– I didn’t mind leaving some of the peel on for color/texture, I just didn’t want the peels to be overwhelming.)
- 2
Finely chop the cucumbers– I used the blade of my food processor, but I was careful to not overprocess and end up with cucumber puree.
- 3
Put the chopped cucumbers in a large bowl and mix in the salt and turmeric. Pour water over the cucumbers until they are completely covered and let them soak for 2-3 hours.
- 4
After the soaking period is complete, drain the cucumbers and rinse them under cool water. I used a fine-mesh sieve for this.
- 5
Placed the drain cucumbers in a stockpot and add in the chopped onions, sugar, dill, mustard seed, bay leaves, and white vinegar.
- 6
Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- 7
At this point, I like to taste the relish to check the flavor balance and adjust accordingly. Add more sugar if you feel the vinegar is too strong.
- 8
Remove the bay leaves.
- 9
Ladle the relish into hot pint jars with 1/4″ headspace. Affix lids and rims, then process pints in a hot water bath canner for 15 minutes. (Altitude Note: Add an additional one minute of processing time for every 1000 feet you’re above sea level.)
- 10
Try my favorite lids for canning, learn more about FOR JARS lids here: http://theprairiehomestead.com/forjars (use code PURPOSE10 for 10% off)
Easy Homemade Dill Relish Recipe
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About this Recipe
Tired of overly sweet, artificial-tasting relish from the grocery store? This easy homemade dill relish recipe delivers that perfectly balanced, bright, and tangy crunch you've been craving, elevating any meal.
What sets this recipe apart is its commitment to a perfectly balanced flavor profile, explicitly designed to be "not too sweet" with a vibrant "pop of dill." Unlike many store-bought versions that can overwhelm with sugar, this homemade relish focuses on allowing the fresh, tangy notes of the pickling cucumbers and the aromatic spices to truly shine. It brings together classic relish ingredients like crisp pickling cucumbers, aromatic dill and mustard seeds, and bright white vinegar in proportions that create a truly satisfying and well-rounded condiment.
What to Expect
Prepare for a truly vibrant and homemade dill relish experience. You'll find a satisfying crunch from the carefully selected pickling cucumbers, beautifully complemented by the subtle, piquant bite of finely diced onions. The earthy warmth of dill and mustard seeds infuses every spoonful, while bay leaves add a delicate, aromatic depth that elevates the overall profile. A touch of turmeric not only contributes a lovely golden hue but also a hint of subtle flavor complexity. This relish is expertly balanced—tangy from the white vinegar, with just the right amount of sweetness from organic sugar, and bursting with the fresh, herbaceous notes of dill. It's designed to be "just right"—never overwhelmingly sweet, allowing the natural zest of the dill and vegetables to shine through.
While this recipe shines on its own, feel free to experiment. For a touch more warmth, a pinch of red pepper flakes could be added if you like a little heat. To adjust the sweetness to your preference, you can slightly reduce or increase the organic sugar from the 1/3 cup called for.
This versatile dill relish is perfect for elevating summer BBQ classics like hot dogs and hamburgers, or as a bright, zesty accompaniment to grilled fish and sandwiches. It's also fantastic stirred into potato salad or tartar sauce for an extra burst of flavor.