Sweet Onion Relish With Red Peppers

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about our editorial process
Diana Rattray
Portrait of Diana Rattray smiling
Published on 09/25/19 by Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats's Editorial Process

Updated 09/25/19

Sweet Onion Relish
Diana Rattray
  • Total: 110 mins
  • Prep: 60 mins
  • Cook: 50 mins
  • Standing Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: 4 pints (16 servings)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
614 Calories
48g Fat
49g Carbs
5g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 pints (16 servings)
Amount per serving
Calories 614
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 48g 61%
Saturated Fat 42g 211%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1948mg 85%
Total Carbohydrate 49g 18%
Dietary Fiber 13g 47%
Protein 5g
Calcium 37mg 3%
*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.)

Use Vidalia onions or other sweet onions in this flavorful relish. This relish is delicious with beef or pork, or use it to add flavor to appetizers.

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds Vidalia or other sweet onions (peeled, ground or finely chopped)
  • 2 red bell peppers (washed, seeds and stems removed, ground or finely chopped)
  • 1/4 cup canning salt
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 2 cups cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon mixed pickling spices

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Combine the ground onions and bell peppers with the salt; stir and let stand for 30 minutes.

  3. Bring a saucepan of water to a simmer, reduce heat to low and add the jar lids. Keep them in the hot water, but do not boil.

  4. Half fill a canning kettle with water; add the jars and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and keep jars hot while the onion mixture is simmering.

  5. Drain the vegetables in a fine mesh strainer, squeezing gently.

  6. In a large non-reactive pot, combine the sugars, turmeric, and vinegar.

  7. Put pickling spices in a cheesecloth bag and add to the vinegar and sugar mixture. Bring to a simmer; reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 5 minutes.

  8. Add the well-drained vegetable mixture, increase heat to medium, and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes.

  9. Fill the hot jars and wipe rims with damp paper towels. Fit the jars with the lids and screw jar rings on firmly.

  10. Put the jars on a rack in the canner and fill with more very hot or boiling water so it comes at least 1-inch above the tops of the jars. Bring to a boil. Cover and boil gently for 10 minutes.

  11. Remove the jars to a rack to cool. Do not invert.

  12. Enjoy!

High Altitude Process Times

  • Process for 15 minutes in a boiling-water canner, or 20 minutes for altitudes of 1001 to 6,000 feet.
  • Over 6,000 feet, process for 25 minutes.