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homemade chow chow relish recipe

Homemade Chow Chow Relish Recipe

Discover how to make this classic chow chow relish recipe at home! Tangy, sweet, and crunchy, this versatile condiment is perfect for meats, beans, and more.
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Prep Time 3 hours
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes
Course Condiments
Cuisine American, Southern
Servings 8
Calories 60 kcal

Ingredients
  

Vegetables:

  • 4 cups green tomatoes chopped
  • 2 cups cabbage finely chopped
  • 1 cup bell peppers red, green, or yellow, chopped
  • 1 cup onions finely chopped
  • 1 cup carrots thinly sliced or grated (optional)

Brine:

  • 2 cups white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
  • 1 tablespoon celery seeds
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Optional Add-Ins:

  • ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • Fresh herbs dill, parsley, or thyme
  • Red pepper flakes or jalapeños for extra heat

Instructions
 

Prepare the Vegetables:

  • Wash all vegetables thoroughly.
  • Chop the green tomatoes, cabbage, bell peppers, and onions into consistent, bite-sized pieces.
  • Salt the vegetables and let them sit for 2–3 hours to draw out excess moisture. Rinse and drain them well.

Make the Brine:

  • In a large pot, combine vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, ginger, and salt.
  • Bring the brine to a simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Let it simmer for 5–10 minutes to allow the spices to infuse.

Cook the Relish:

  • Add the prepared vegetables to the brine.
  • Stir well to coat the vegetables, and cook for 30–45 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still retain some crunch.

Adjust the Flavor:

  • Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed—add more sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tang, or red pepper for heat.

Can the Relish:

  • Sterilize canning jars and lids by boiling them for 10 minutes.
  • Ladle the hot relish into the jars, leaving ½ inch of headspace. Remove air bubbles, wipe rims clean, and seal.
  • Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10–15 minutes.

Cool and Store:

  • Allow jars to cool completely before storing them in a cool, dark place. Once opened, refrigerate the relish and consume it within a few weeks.

Notes

  • For a spicier relish, add chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes.
  • You can substitute green tomatoes with zucchini or cucumbers for a milder version.
Keyword chow chow relish recipe, homemade relish, Southern chow chow