We all know the condiments that people usually squirt on their burgers and hot dogs: You got your ketchup of course. There’s your classic mustard. You can even throw down a little mayo. But what condiment do you bust out when you want to be a little fancy goober? That’s when you reach for the relish my friend! We’ve all seen relish, but what is relish? What is it made of? What’s actually in relish? Does it go bad? Does relish need to be refrigerated? And what does relish taste like? Please don’t ever move a muscle because we have done the research for you.
What is relish?
Relish is a preserved, chunky, vinegary condiment made out of finely chopped fruits, and/or vegetables. That’s right, it’s not only made with pickles!
So, what is relish made of?
Relish can be made out of all kinds of fruits and veggies and can come in all sorts of flavors and colors. But the kind most folks in the US of A are familiar with is pickle relish. But even then, there is a pretty big variety. There’s sour dill relish, sweet pickle relish, and pickle relish with a mustard or ketchup base to name a few.
But seriously, what is in relish?
The one ingredient all relish has in common is vinegar. It’s used to preserve the fruit or veggie base. Relish usually contains a fruit, a vegetable, or a mixture of both, plus sugar, plus vinegar. Other things like herbs or spices can be added on top of that mix.
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What does relish taste like?
Well, that depends on what’s in it! All relish should have bright, zesty flavors with a rich, slightly acidic aftertaste. The vinegar and sugar should make for tangy-sweet goodness. Pickle relish is sometimes sour, and sometimes sweet. Other types of relish that have their own distinct flavors are mango, cranberry, onion, corn, and tomato. Relish is pretty different from other condiments in that it’s freaking chunky. Most other condiments are smooth. If you have chunky ketchup or mayonnaise, you might want to throw them away. Chutney is a similar condiment to relish but it tends to be a little mushier.
Does relish go bad?
Yes, relish goes bad. Even though it’s a preserve, it doesn’t last forever. In fact, nothing does. It’s a pretty good rule of thumb that if you’re asking if something goes bad, just assume that it does. It’s best to follow the date printed on packaging of store bought relish. Unopened containers can probably last for around 30 months and up to 3 months once opened. If you make homemade relish, it should last a week, unless you have some hardcore canning capabilities.
Does relish need to be refrigerated?
Yes, relish needs to be refrigerated if it is opened. If it’s not opened, you can store it, unrefrigerated, in a cool dry place. But come on, no one wants warm relish. Just keep that sucker in the fridge. But don’t put it in my fridge because mine is already full of relish. I might need to get a second, non-relish fridge.
FAQs
Relish is a preserved, chunky, vinegary condiment made out of finely chopped fruits, and/or vegetables. That's right, it's not only made with pickles!
What is relish in hot dogs? ›
Produced from best quality vegetables and spices
Featuring crunchy pickled cucumber and cabbage immersed in vinegar, the Heinz Hot Dog Relish will help you create flavors which complement your favorite snack.
Is relish just chopped up pickles? ›
In the United States, the most common relish is made from chopped pickled cucumbers, either dill or sweet pickles. It's used as a topping on sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs. But in other parts of the world, popular relishes are made with other ingredients.
What are the different types of pickle relish? ›
Pickle relish is one of the most commonly used spreads in the U.S. Two variants of this are hamburger relish (pickle relish in a ketchup base or sauce) and hot dog relish (pickle relish in a mustard base or sauce). Another readily available commercial relish in the U.S. is corn (maize) relish.
What is relish compared to pickles? ›
There is a discernible difference between a relish and a pickle. The important difference being the way in which they go about preserving, whether it is mostly with vinegar/salt (pickles), sugar (jams and jellies, relish) or a mixture of the two (relish).
What kind of relish is on a Chicago hot dog? ›
Chicago-style relish is a type of sweet pickle relish typically used on Chicago-style hot dogs. The unique color of the relish, often referred to as "neon green", is created by adding blue dye to regular pickle relish.
What is the proper condiment for a hot dog? ›
Condiments should be applied in the following order: wet condiments like mustard and chili are applied first, followed by chunky condiments like relish, onions and sauerkraut, followed by shredded cheese, followed by spices, like celery salt or pepper.
Can pickle relish go bad? ›
It's best to follow the date printed on packaging of store bought relish. Unopened containers can probably last for around 30 months and up to 3 months once opened. If you make homemade relish, it should last a week, unless you have some hardcore canning capabilities.
Is salsa a relish? ›
Relish: A savoury sauce made with fairly finely chopped vegetables and/or fruit with vinegar and sugar. Salsa: Most often a tomato-based savoury sauce containing hot peppers and other strong spices.
Why is it called relish? ›
Why Is It Called a Relish? The common thought is that the word "relish" originated from the early French word "reles" which translates to "remainder" or "leftover." This could be from relishes being used to preserve leftover or excess vegetables and fruits.
Candied pickles are just dill pickles that have been soaked in a sugar-vinegar solution for at least a week. The sweet brine is so sugary, it's almost like a syrup.
What are the sweet sandwich pickles called? ›
Bread and butter pickles are a type of sweet pickle. These pickles are a true fan favorite, usually sold crinkle-cut into pickle chips.
What's the difference between hot dog relish and sweet relish? ›
Trader Joe's Organic Sweet Pickle Relish
We included both "sweet relish" and "hot dog relish" in our lineup, the latter being distinguished by having the addition of extra mustard and other flavorings.
How do I substitute pickles for relish? ›
I usually buy it in a jar, but have made my own from whole dill pickles when I ran out of the relish. You need to thicken the pickle brine by mixing it with some corn starch and bringing it to a boil, then you stir in the dill pickles that you have chopped as finely as you like.
What's the difference between dill relish and relish? ›
A: Dill relish is seasoned with the dill herb and hs a minimal quantity of sugar. Sweet relish is spiced usually with clove, and it has a large quantity of sugar or other sweeteners.
What's the difference between hot dog relish and regular relish? ›
Trader Joe's Organic Sweet Pickle Relish
We included both "sweet relish" and "hot dog relish" in our lineup, the latter being distinguished by having the addition of extra mustard and other flavorings.
What's the difference between India and sweet relish? ›
What's India Relish? It's sweet relish with a dash of curry. A zesty alternative to sweet relish, try B&G® India Relish in pasta salads, on burgers and added to tuna fish.
What is sweet relish made of? ›
Pickle relish is a jam-like condiment made from either pickled cucumbers or fresh cucumbers seasoned with vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices. Like chutney and chow-chow, it's fruity, acidic, and adds flavor to bland foods.
Is relish sweet or dill? ›
A: Dill relish is seasoned with the dill herb and hs a minimal quantity of sugar. Sweet relish is spiced usually with clove, and it has a large quantity of sugar or other sweeteners.
