Easy Chow Chow Relish

Why You’ll Love This Chow Chow

Get ready to elevate your hot dogs, burgers, and sandwiches to a whole new level! This easy Chow Chow Relish is a Southern classic — a tangy, slightly sweet, and wonderfully crunchy pickled vegetable mixture that adds incredible flavor to everything it touches. Once you try homemade, you’ll never go back to store-bought!

Ingredients

The Vegetables

• 2 cups green cabbage (shredded)
• 1 cup red cabbage (shredded)
• 1 cup carrots (grated)
• 1/2 cup onion (finely diced)
• 1/4 cup green bell pepper (diced)
• 1/4 cup red bell pepper (diced)

For the Pickling Liquid

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp celery seeds
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Prep the veggies: In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, carrots, onion, and bell peppers. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and toss well. Let sit for 30 minutes to draw out excess water.
2. Rinse and squeeze: After 30 minutes, rinse the vegetables thoroughly with cold water. Drain well and squeeze out as much liquid as possible with your hands or a clean kitchen towel.
3. Make the pickling liquid: In a large pot, combine vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
4. Add the veggies: Add the drained vegetables to the boiling liquid. Stir well to combine. Return to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Fill the jars: Carefully ladle the hot relish into clean, sterilized jars. Leave about 1/2 inch headspace at the top.
6. Seal and cool: Wipe the jar rims clean, place lids on top, and let cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer to the refrigerator.
7. Wait for flavor: For best flavor, let the chow chow sit in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before using. The flavors meld and develop over time!