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Homemade Pickle Relish

This homemade pickle relish is a vibrant, tangy alternative to shop-bought varieties, offering a much fresher flavour with significantly less sugar. By using crisp Kirby cucumbers and sharp white vinegar, you create a versatile condiment that balances sweetness with a distinct acidic bite. The secret to the perfect texture lies in draining the vegetables thoroughly, ensuring the finished relish remains thick and crunchy rather than watery.

As a refined low-sugar option, this recipe is ideal for health-conscious cooks looking to brighten up their summer barbecues or mid-week meals. It pairs beautifully with grilled halloumi, classic beef burgers, or stirred into a creamy tartare sauce for fish. Being easy to prepare in small batches, it is a fantastic staple to keep in the fridge for adding a zingy, homemade touch to sandwiches and salads.

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Ingredients for Homemade Pickle Relish

  • 475ml finely chopped cucumber (about 3 Kirby cucumbers)

  • 80g finely chopped onion

  • 120ml distilled white vinegar

  • 60ml sugar

  • 1 teaspoon cornflour dissolved in 1 teaspoon water

How to make Homemade Pickle Relish

Toss cucumber and onion with 3/4 teaspoons salt in a sieve set over a bowl and drain 3 hours. Discard liquid from bowl. Wrap cucumber and onion in a kitchen towel (not terry cloth) and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.

Bring vinegar, sugar, and 1/4 teaspoons salt to a boil in a small heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then boil until reduced to about 80g , 3 to 4 minutes. Add cucumber-onion mixture and simmer, stirring, 2 minutes. Stir cornflour mixture, then stir into relish. Simmer, stirring, 1 minute. Transfer relish to a bowl and chill, uncovered, until cold, about 1 1/2 hours.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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