Sometimes you may find yourself without a jar of sweet pickle relish on hand. Whether you’re looking for a healthier option or simply want to try something new, you can pick the best substitute for sweet pickle relish from our list.
Sweet pickle relish is a condiment commonly used in sandwiches, salads, and hot dogs. Surely, a substitute for sweet pickle relish can offer a similar flavor profile. In this article, we’ll explore some of your best options. Some are easy to find at the store, and some you can even make at home using simple ingredients.
Sweet pickle relish is a popular condiment. People make it from cucumbers, sugar, vinegar, and spices. The combination of these ingredients creates a sweet-tart flavor.
Its unique taste and bright green color make it a popular choice for food enthusiasts.
Today, you can find jarred sweet pickle relish at most grocery stores. But if you have the time, you can also make a homemade sweet pickle relish. It’s really easy.
Combine chopped cucumbers, vinegar, sugar, and spices of your choice. Then refrigerate for a few hours, and you’re done! If you want, you may also include some green bell peppers to add a fresh taste to your relish.
Spices such as celery seeds, dill seeds, mustard, chopped fresh dill and garlic are top choices for a sweet pickle recipe as well.
Note that sweet pickle relish has a strong flavor. Because of this, eating it with foods that won’t take a backseat to their taste is crucial.
Fortunately, there are several substitutes for sweet pickle relish that can help you achieve the same tangy and sweet flavor profile.
Here are our top eleven sweet pickle relish substitutes.
Dill pickle relish can be a great substitute for sweet pickle relish. After all, they are both pickled cucumbers and contain similar flavors.
Remember that dill pickles may not be as sweet. So, add a little sugar or honey to the recipe if you want a sweeter taste. On the other hand, if you prefer a tangier flavor, use a bit more vinegar or lemon juice.
It’s important to note that the texture may also be slightly different. For the best result, use chopped dill pickles.
Tip:
Use dill pickle relish in the same way as sweet pickle relish. Use it as a topping for hot dogs, hamburgers, or as an ingredient in salads.
Chopped pickles can be a great swap for sweet pickle relish due to their similar flavor.
When using chopped dill pickles, though, you may need to adjust the sweetness of the recipe. You can opt to add a small amount of sugar or honey to balance out the tanginess of the pickles.
You may also add other ingredients you’ll commonly find in sweet pickle relish. For instance, put some onion or celery or add a small amount of vinegar or pickle juice to help create the pickled flavor. Doing so gives the chopped dill pickles a slightly softer texture as well.
Tip:
To improve the texture, chop them finely or use a food processor for a relish-like consistency. You can then use them in any recipe that calls for sweet pickle relishes.
Pickled onions also make great sweet pickle substitutes. Their tangy flavor and crunchy texture are what make them an excellent replacement.
Keep in mind that there are differences in flavor between these two ingredients. Pickled onions have a more pronounced sour taste.
You may need to adjust the amount of sugar or other sweeteners in your recipe to balance the flavors.
Also, consider that pickled onions are larger than sweet pickle relish and have a different color.
Tip:
You can use them in recipes such as potato salad, tuna salad, and deviled eggs. You may need to chop them into smaller pieces to achieve a similar texture. Adding some diced sweet peppers or sweet pickles also helps.
Even when it’s unconventional, sweet corn can also be an option. It can also be a tasty and healthy substitute for sweet pickle relish. Sweet corn offers a naturally sweet flavor and a pleasant crunch.
You can use either canned or fresh sweet corn kernels for this purpose. But if you prefer a texture closer to relish, consider using a corn relish instead.
But just like pickled onions, sweet corn does not look anywhere near sweet pickles. Its bright yellow color can significantly alter the appearance of your dish.
And the sweetness and texture of the corn may require adjustments in your recipe. Reduce any added sugar in your dish.
You may also experiment by adding other pickled vegetables, such as onions or peppers, to the dish.
Tip:
To swap sweet corn for sweet pickle relish, chop the corn kernels into small pieces. Add them to salad, sandwich, burger, and hot dog recipes. Add extra spices or herbs to balance out the flavors.
If you want a similar sweetness to sweet pickle relish, but with a different flavor profile, sweet corn relish can be a great option.
Made from corn, onions, and red peppers, this relish has a sweet and tangy taste that pairs well with grilled meats and vegetables.
Tip:
Sweet corn relish has a similar texture, but offers a different flavor profile.
Due to its similar flavor profile, chutney is also a great swap for sweet pickle relish. Chutneys, like pickle relish, can be useful in various ways.
You may use them as a dip for appetizers or relish for main dishes. Chutney can also be a sandwich spread or a condiment for curries.
There are many kinds of chutney. It’s important to choose a variety that complements the other flavors in the dish.
For a more exotic flavor, mango chutney can be a great substitute for sweet pickle relish. This sweet and spicy condiment is made from mangoes, vinegar, and spices, and can add a unique flavor to dishes like chicken salad or deviled eggs.
Tip:
To achieve a similar texture, chopping the chutney into smaller pieces is best. Additionally, adjust the amount of sugar and vinegar in the recipe. Doing so will help balance the sweetness and acidity of the chutney.
Like sweet pickle relish, green olives are also tangy and acidic. For this reason, you may use them to replace sweet pickle relish in recipes. They also have a similar green color, making the swap barely noticeable.
To use green olives as a substitute, chop them finely before adding them to sandwiches, wraps, and dips.
As with other substitutes, you may need to adjust the seasoning and other flavors in your dish. You need to ensure the dish tastes balanced after adding green olives.
Tip:
You can add garlic, herbs, and lemon juice for a closer flavor match to sweet pickle relish. These ingredients can complement the tangy flavor of green olives.
Want a substitute for sweet pickle relish that can provide tanginess without affecting texture? Capers are a great option. Aside from sharing the same hue, capers give a tangy and lemony flavor, making them great swaps.
As for the texture, finely chopping the capers can bring them to a consistency similar to sweet pickle relish.
Consider mixing capers with sugar, diced onion, and chopped parsley. Doing so will balance the tartness of the capers. These ingredients also help provide a similar flavor profile to sweet pickle relish.
Tip:
Add capers to salads, dressings, and pasta dishes. Or pair them with fish, chicken, and other meats, but remember – they are quite salty. For this reason, you may need to adjust the salt level in the recipe accordingly.
Another great substitute for swap for sweet pickle relish is green bell peppers. They have a crisp texture and mild flavor, which makes them a versatile ingredient.
Achieve a similar taste by adding a little bit of vinegar and sugar. These ingredients mimic the tangy and sweet flavor of sweet pickle relish, after all. You can also add diced onions or celery to the mix.
It’s important to note that green bell peppers are not as sweet. So, you may need to adjust the amount of sugar or honey you add to your recipe to compensate for the lack of sweetness.
Tip:
Add chopped green peppers to your recipe in the same quantity as the relish. They work particularly well in potato salads and egg salads.
You may also use green tomato relish as a sweet pickle relish substitute. Its tangy, sweet flavor and crunchy texture.
But note that its flavor is slightly different compared to sweet pickle relish. Add salt or sugar to avoid significantly changing your dish’s flavor profile. These extra ingredients will compensate for the tanginess of the green tomato relish.
Use unripe green tomatoes to ensure your relish has a tangy flavor and a crunchy texture. Consider putting hot peppers, onions, and spices to give the relish a kick.
Tip:
When using green tomato relish as an alternative, look for relish recipes with sweet and sour ingredients. This swap is great for hot dogs, burgers, and sandwiches. It also works as an ingredient in potato salad, pasta salad, or tuna salad.
Bread and Butter Pickles also make a great alternative for sweet pickle relish. There are different recipes for this type of pickles.
The most common ones call for soaking cucumbers in sugar, vinegar, and spices. People typically add turmeric, celery seed, and mustard seed to the mix.
As a result, bread and butter pickles have a sweet and tangy flavor profile. They have a slightly milder sweetness compared to traditional sweet pickles, though.
Tip:
They are ideal substitutes for sweet pickle relish in sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs. You may need to use more of them to achieve a sweetness similar to sweet pickle relish. Depending on recipe, use them in their traditional crinkle-cut form or chop them finely.
Here are the most popular recipes that use sweet pickle relish.
For tuna salads, capers are the substitute for sweet pickle relish. Capers can provide a burst of flavor that will pair well with the richness of the tuna.
Plus, capers have a distinctive salty taste that can enhance the salad’s flavor.
Green bell peppers are a good substitute for sweet pickle relish in deviled eggs. They provide a similar sweet and slightly tangy taste that is perfect with egg yolks.
On top of that, green bell peppers are widely available, making them an accessible option.
Bread and butter pickles are the best in potato salad as they complement the texture of the potatoes. They also look the same after you chop them, so the swap will not make your potato salad look different.
Green tomato relish is the best swap for sweet pickle relish on hot dogs. They do have a slightly different flavor than sweet pickle relish. But that can provide a refreshing change for those looking for a different taste.
Cucumbers mixed with sugar, vinegar, and spices normally make up sweet pickle relish. Most recipes also include mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric. And some call for onions, peppers, and garlic.
Salsa and chutney are similar to relish. They are all condiments made from vegetables or fruits. And you use them to add flavor and texture to sandwiches, burgers, and other dishes.
Sweet pickles use whole cucumbers, while sweet relish uses finely chopped cucumbers. Both come in a sweet brine, but these two ingredients differ in texture and flavor. Sweet relish has a more pronounced tangy taste.
The best substitute for sweet pickle relish in burger sauce is chopped pickles. You may choose between dill or bread and butter pickles. Their tangy and slightly sweet flavor complements the other ingredients in the sauce.
If you’re out of sweet pickle relish or can’t find it at the store, there are several substitutes you can use. Dill pickle relish, chopped pickles, and pickled onions are all excellent options. All of them can provide a similar flavor profile to sweet pickle relish.
But remember that each substitution has a unique texture, taste, and appearance. You may need to adjust your recipes to compensate for these differences. You can make your dish as delicious with a little creativity and experimentation. Just ensure that you choose the best substitute for sweet pickle relish.
