Corn relish is a sweet and tangy condiment packed with fresh corn, crisp vegetables, and a bright brine. This colorful relish goes great with everything from grilled meats to tacos and sandwiches.
Corn relish is the perfect summer condiment. It’s sweet, crunchy, and packed with fresh flavor.
Bright flavors and vibrant colors make it this relish a perfect addition to warm-weather gatherings. Scoop it up with tortilla chips or serve as a delicious topper for burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, salads, or tacos.
For more ways to use up sweet summer corn, check out these recipes:
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Ingredients for corn relish
Fresh sweet summer corn is the star of corn relish.
- Fresh corn
- Red bell pepper
- Green bell pepper
- Red onion
- Jalapeno
- White distilled vinegar
- Granulated sugar
- Kosher salt
- Mustard powder
- Celery seed
- Ground turmeric
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Corn relish comes together in just a few easy steps.
Step 1: Combine the corn, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, jalapeno, vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard powder, celery seed, and turmeric in a pot. Stir well so the sugar and salt start dissolving before the pan heats up.
Step 2: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the peppers and onion soften and the corn is tender but still has some bite.
Step 3: Remove the pan from the heat and uncover it. Let the relish cool for 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature.
Step 4: Transfer the relish to mason jars or airtight containers. Chill for at least an hour before serving.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Endlessly Versatile: Serve as a dip with tortilla chips, a topping for burgers and tacos, or a fresh side dish alongside grilled meats. It also adds a delicious pop of flavor and texture to salads, nachos, and grain bowls, and makes a thoughtful homemade gift, too.
Fresh, Bright Flavor: Sweet corn, crisp bell peppers, red onion, and jalapeño come together to create a relish that’s vibrant, crunchy, and packed with flavor. Every bite delivers the perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess, and just a touch of heat.
Perfect for Making Ahead: This is one of those recipes that gets even better with time. As it chills, the flavors meld together, creating an even more delicious relish that’s ready whenever you need it for parties, cookouts, or easy weeknight meals.
Make it your own
Corn relish is customizable based on your preferences. Here are a few easy ways to tweak it based on your preferences:
- Adjust the Heat: One seeded jalapeno gives this relish a mild kick. If you like living on the spicier side, leave the seeds in or add a second jalapeno!
- No Fresh Corn? No Problem: While sweet summer corn cut straight off the cob is best, you can use frozen corn. Just be sure to thaw it completely and drain off any excess moisture so your relish doesn’t get watered down.
- Swap the Vinegar: Replace half of the white distilled vinegar with apple cider vinegar for a less sharp, milder flavor.
- Make It Sweeter: If you prefer a sweeter corn relish, stir a touch of honey into the dressing.
Equipment
No special equipment is needed for corn relish!
Storage
Store leftover corn relish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors become even better after sitting overnight. Give it a quick stir before serving.
FAQ
You can, but it won’t have the same texture. Fresh corn has crisp, snappy kernels that hold up well to the cooking process. Canned corn is much softer as the heat sterilization process partially breaks down the kernel’s structure, giving the relish a softer texture. If you cook the relish too long you’ll also risk the kernels becoming mushy.
Corn relish pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, burgers, hot dogs, fish tacos, pulled pork, salads, and even tortilla chips.
Absolutely! Corn relish is an excellent make-ahead dish. Preparing it a few hours or even a day in advance allows the flavors to develop.
No speciality tools are needed! The bowl method provides an easy, mess-free way to cut corn.
1. Shuck the corn completely and rub off any remaining silk .
2. Place a small bowl upside-down inside a larger, wide mixing bowl.
3. Place the stem end of the corn on the bottom of the smaller bowl .
4. Hold the corn by the top (narrow) end, and use a sharp chef’s knife to slice downward, cutting as close to the cob as possible .
Corn Relish
- Total Time: 35
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Packed with fresh sweet corn, this colorful relish adds a burst of flavor to everything from grilled meats to tacos and sandwiches. It’s easy to make, comes together quickly!
Ingredients
4 cups fresh corn kernels
¾ cup red bell pepper, finely diced
½ cup green bell pepper, finely diced
½ cup red onion, finely diced1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
1½ cups white distilled vinegar
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons mustard powder
½ teaspoon celery seed
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
Instructions
- Combine the corn, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, jalapeno, vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard powder, celery seed, and turmeric in a pot. Stir well so the sugar and salt start dissolving before the pan heats up.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the peppers and onion soften and the corn is tender but still has some bite.
- Remove the pan from the heat and uncover it. Let the relish cool for 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature.
- Transfer the relish to mason jars or airtight containers. Chill for at least an hour before serving.
Notes
- Dice the peppers and onion small enough that every spoonful gets a little of everything.
- Keep the heat low once you cover the pan. A hard boil for too long can make the corn too soft and cook down the peppers more than you want.
- Let the relish chill at least an hour before deciding whether it needs any adjustment.
- Use a glass jar or nonreactive container for storage.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Condiments
- Method: One Pot, Pickling
- Cuisine: American
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