Sweet Pepper Relish

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Perfect for hot dogs, brats, or as a dip, this easy sweet pepper relish features bell peppers, onion, and tomato for tangy sweet flavor. You’ll love this versatile topping!

One of my favorite things is trying the samples at the grocery store. Not only does it stave off the hungry-shopping woes, it also gets my brain turning on recipes to make.

Years ago I came across a sweet pepper relish at the store. I loved it so much that I immediately made it at home and have been making it ever since.

Sweet pepper relish is filled with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, along with a few other ingredients. In a way it’s similar to jalapeño jelly, but this relish has more of a sweet-tangy flavor than a sweet-hot flavor.

It’s easier to make than jalapeño jelly, too, with no worrying about pectin or floating bits of pepper. Because this is a relish, it’s mainly chopped veggies, with just a few additions to give it that tang.

You’ll love this sweet pepper relish on all your favorite grilled hot dogs, bratwursts, and burgers, or eaten as part of a tasty cheese board!

Ingredients for sweet pepper relish

You’ll need:

Bell peppers – You can use any color variety you like for this relish. I used a combination of red and green.

Keep in mind that red bell peppers are sweeter, while green bell peppers have a milder flavor. Orange and yellow bell peppers fall in between those.

Tomato – I recommend using paste tomatoes, as this will help thicken the relish somewhat. Peeling is optional, but you can follow my instructions for how to peel tomatoes if you choose to go that route.

Onion – Use white or yellow onion for this relish. A sweet onion will make the relish a little too sweet, in my opinion.

Sugar – You’ll need granulated sugar. If you want a bit of a molasses flavor, you can use brown sugar.

Cider vinegar – Don’t confuse this with apple cider the drink! Cider vinegar adds tangy flavor.

You can use regular distilled white vinegar if you prefer.

Spices – You’ll need salt, garlic powder, and paprika.

Olive oil – Just a small amount for sautéeing the vegetables.

How to make this recipe

Dice your vegetables into small pieces of approximately the same size. If you have extra after measuring the chopped amount, you can save it for another recipe, like chili.

Add the olive oil to a large saucepan or dutch oven and warm over medium heat.

Once the oil is heated, add the peppers and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.

Add the diced tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes.

Stir in the vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, paprika, and salt.

Bring just to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

The vegetables should be soft, with the liquid reduced by at least half. If you want less liquid, you can keep cooking the relish until it is thickened to your liking.

Transfer the relish into a jar or container with a lid. Let cool to room temperature, then store in the refrigerator until ready to use!

FAQ

What else can I add to sweet pepper relish?

If you want to add a little heat to this relish, you can mix in chopped jalapeño or serrano pepper along with the bell pepper.

You can also add crushed red chile flakes, chile powder, or even a dash of hot sauce to add spice.

You can also add celery seed or mustard seed for more of a tangy, pickle-y flavor.

Can I process this relish in a canner?

This particular recipe is not suitable for canning. It only makes 2 cups, so you’ll likely use it up quickly!

What other vinegars can I use?

I recommend (apple) cider vinegar, but you can use a variety of other vinegars. Keep in mind that each one will add a slightly different flavor.

Distilled white vinegar, the kind you likely already have on hand, is a great option.

Another option is white wine vinegar. Red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar have stronger flavors, so you might want to reduce the amount if you choose one of those.

How long will sweet bell pepper relish keep?

This homemade relish will keep in the refrigerator for about a month.

Storing the jar toward the back of the fridge where it is coldest will help the relish last longer.

Ways to use sweet pepper relish

This relish is a tasty condiment for nearly any protein, from a simple grilled hot dog to baked cod! 

Serve it over whipped cream cheese or in place of marinara in baked goat cheese for a delicious appetizer. You can also make it into a dip mixed with cream cheese and sour cream.

I like to use it as a sandwich spread, too. Try it on a grilled cheese or a tuna melt. It’s especially great with salamis for a pressed Italian sandwich.

You’ll find lots of ways to enjoy this easy onion and pepper relish, so why not make a batch today?