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 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).
Is hot dog relish sweet or dill? ›
Olive's hot dog relish combines its classic Sweet Relish with a touch of mustard. Available in a 10 oz. squeeze bottle for resealable convenience.
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.
Is hot dog relish the same as hamburger relish? ›
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).
Can pickle relish go bad? ›
According to the FoodKeeper app, relish should be eaten with 30 MONTHS of purchase if it's in the pantry. If it's opened and is being refrigerated, it should be used up within nine months.
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.
Yorkshire Relish or British Relish is usually known as brown sauce (such as HP Sauce, Hammonds Chop Sauce or Daddies Sauce). It's not the same as American relish which is a kind of cucumber chutney.
Is relish the same as burger sauce? ›
Burger relish can often get confused with burger sauce, but they are two very different things. Burger relish is made of pickled ingredients such as tomatoes, gherkins and onions. Burger sauce, on the other hand, is a creamy sauce consisting mainly of tomato ketchup and mayonnaise.
Is relish just blended pickles? ›
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 Vidalia relish? ›
A sweet and tangy onion relish that can be used as you would most any relish. Great on subs and cooked into cornbread.
Do pickles belong on hotdogs? ›
While some may opt to top their hot dogs with a sliced or speared pickle, others may opt for a sweet pickle relish that adds the perfect balance of sweet and sour.
What flavor is relish? ›
While technically relish is a term that refers to any sort of chopped vegetable or fruit-based condiment, when we say relish 'round these parts, we're talking specifically about the sweet, tangy, crunchy, jam-like condiment made with cucumbers and typically flavored with mustard seed (or mustard!).
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.
What makes a relish a relish? ›
A relish is a cooked and pickled culinary dish made of chopped vegetables, fruits or herbs and is a food item typically used as a condiment to enhance a staple. Examples are chutneys and the North American relish, a pickled cucumber jam eaten with hot dogs.
