This relish is a brilliant balance of sweet, tangy, and gently spicy that makes ordinary grilled foods extraordinary. Banana peppers bring their signature mild heat while sweet bell peppers add body and natural sweetness, and the vinegar-sugar base ties everything together into a glossy, chunky condiment that clings beautifully to whatever you put it on. Cooked down slowly, the vegetables soften and meld into a relish that is far more complex than its simple ingredient list suggests. Spoon it generously over grilled brats, hot dogs, burgers, or grilled chicken. It also works wonderfully stirred into egg salad or spooned over cream cheese as a quick appetizer.

Ingredients

• 6 banana peppers, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 sweet bell peppers, any color, finely chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seed
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric

Directions

1. Combine chopped banana peppers, bell peppers, and onion in a large bowl.
2. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for one hour to draw out moisture.
3. Drain the vegetables well and press out as much liquid as possible.
4. Transfer the drained vegetables to a medium saucepan.
5. Add vinegar, sugar, celery seed, mustard seed, and turmeric.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
7. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until thickened.
8. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
9. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes.
10. Transfer to clean jars and refrigerate for up to three weeks.

Tips and variations

• Add a finely diced jalapeno for more heat
• Use brown sugar instead of white for a deeper, molasses-like sweetness
• Stir in a tablespoon of whole grain mustard at the end for extra texture
• This relish can be water bath canned for shelf-stable storage
• Try it as a topping for grilled salmon or pork chops

Nutritional information (per 2 tablespoon serving)

• Calories: 30
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 7g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Sugar: 6g
• Protein: 0g
• Sodium: 120mg

©2026 Suzy Mottet bloomhearty.com writing, creation, and design