Corn Relish

Can it or just keep it in the fridge.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Updated July 03, 2024
Corn Relish

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

You know one of the reasons why hot dogs are such favorites with kids? Well, at least when I was a kid? We got to choose our own toppings.

The act of getting the toppings on just right, without making a complete mess, was challenging. But we had such a feeling of accomplishment, keeping the mustard or ketchup inside of the bun instead of all over the floor.

Of course, eating the hot dog was another matter. Hard to avoid that mess. ;-)

My favorite topping, next to mustard, of course, was sweet relish, which I would pile on with gusto.

I do believe the reason they wrap hot dogs in paper at ball games is to catch the relish, so you can still eat it, and not waste a morsel, right?

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

Sweet Corn Relish: A Condiment For Snacking

This recipe is for a sweet corn relish which, I'm happy to announce, is delicious served over hot dogs. (That is if you are a corn-relish-on-your-hot-dog kinda person.)

I'm at a loss as to how else to eat corn relish. Maybe on a taco? Or with pork?

I've been dipping into the jar in the fridge with a spoon for an afternoon snack.

Anyway, beautiful big ears of fresh corn have been plentiful at the market lately and I just couldn't resist canning corn relish this summer.

Ways to Use This Relish

Besides hot dogs, try this on burgers, spooned onto a pulled pork sandwich, served with a cheese board, or tucked into a grilled cheese sandwich. Or, use it as a dip for tortilla chips.

More Recipes for Summer Canning

To Can or Not To Can

This makes quite a bit of relish, so it's useful to water bath can it for long-term storage at room temperature. If you choose not to can the relish, it'll keep in the refrigerator for at least a month or so, perhaps longer. We've not tried freezing it.

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Corn Relish

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Processing time 15 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Servings 48 to 64 servings
Yield 3 to 4 pints

You can easily double this recipe.

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Ingredients

  • 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, roughly chopped

  • 2 cups chopped onions

  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

  • 4 cups corn kernels (cut from 4 to 6 ears, depending on how big the ears are)

  • 2 plum or Roma tomatoes, diced the size of a corn kernel

  • 1 red or green serrano pepper, seeded and minced

  • 1 1/4 cups sugar

  • 2 tablespoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt, or 1 tablespoon Morton's kosher salt or sea salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar (5% acidity)

  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric

  • 2 teaspoons mustard seeds

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Special Equipment

  • Food processor
  • 3 to 4 pint jars

Method

  1. Pulse the cucumbers, onions, bell peppers:

    Working in batches if necessary, pulse the cucumbers, onions, and bell peppers in a food processor just 3 or 4 pulses, so they are still distinguishable from each other, not puréed.

  2. Combine with the remaining ingredients and simmer:

    Place the mixture in a medium (4 to 6-quart) thick-bottomed pot. Add the corn, tomatoes, serranos, sugar, salt, pepper, vinegar, turmeric, mustard seed, and ground cumin. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 25 minutes.

  3. Scoop into jars:

    Spoon the corn relish into sterilized jars and seal. The relish will last for 4 to 6 weeks refrigerated.

    Simple Tip!

    If you would like to store your relish outside of the refrigerator, follow the procedures for water bath canning, then process the relish-filled jars in a hot water bath for 15 minutes after canning.

    Because the jars are processed for longer than 10 minutes, there's no need to sterilize them first. They do, however, need to be hot.

  4. Serve:

    Serve with hot dogs, in tacos, or with pork.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
31 Calories
0g Fat
7g Carbs
1g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 48 to 64
Amount per serving
Calories 31
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 60mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 2%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 4mg 22%
Calcium 4mg 0%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 55mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.