Homemade Tomato Relish Recipe - No canning required! With sweet, juicy tomatoes, onions and spices, this condiment is simple to make and just and delicious. Perfect if you have a bumper crop of tomatoes.
This fresh tomato recipe is fantastic on a turkey burger, give it a try I think you'll really love it!
Jump to:
❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
This is a great recipe! Tomato Relish is tangy, sweet and delicious! It only takes 15 minutes to make and lasts for a couple weeks in the refrigerator. It's a perfect way to use those end of season tomatoes.
If you have a few tomato plants, this will preserve some of those fresh tomatoes and trust me, it will be your new favorite condiment!
This original recipe came from my great grandma - it's been in the family over a hundred years! It's delicious and I hope you really enjoy it!
🗒️ Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the full recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- tomatoes - you can use any variety or color of ripe tomatoes, the tastier the tomato the better the tomato relish will taste.
- onions - I use yellow onions, but mild red onions or shallots would be great as well.
- for seasoning, you'll need kosher salt or sea salt, black pepper, white sugar and celery seed.
- red wine vinegar - in addition to the tang you'll get from it helps preserve the tomatoes.
- jalapeño peppers or Fresno chili's - either will be great.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for this delicious recipe! For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- No need to break out the food processor, this is a simple recipe to make. The first thing to do is chop tomatoes and onions into a small dice.
- Slice the pepper in half and mince well. If you don't like heat, be sure to to remove the ribs and seeds.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, peppers and the rest of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix well.
- Pour into a glass jar and screw on the lid.
- Let stand for at least an hour. Refrigerate leftovers.
🔪 Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
- A good sharp knife is one of the most important tools in the kitchen.
- These cutting board mats are great. Dishwasher safe, they are simple to store, clean and use.
🙋♀️ FAQ's
Chutney is slow cooked and thick and often made with fruits. Relishes are finely diced or grated - this requires no cooking at all!
Not at all! That's one of the reasons it's so simple to make!
There's no need to cook the recipe. Between the acidity from tomatoes and vinegar it preserves the tomatoes.
Pickles are preserved in a brine. Relishes are made up of chopped vegetables.
Variations
- This is a sightly sweet relish. If you prefer a hot relish, double the jalapeños or add a good pinch of chilli flakes, cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes!
- Substitute balsamic vinegar, malt vinegar or one of the white vinegars for the red wine vinegar.
Tips
- You can use any type of tomatoes available; cherry tomatoes, Roma or beefsteak. Organic or heirloom or the regular variety. Any color works too! Of course the more flavorful the tomato, the better the relish.
- Choose firm ripe tomatoes, overripe or green tomatoes would not be a good choice.
- Consider making a large batch. Why? Because the first time I made it.... we ate it all! So then I had to make it again and we ate it also! Refrigerate any leftovers.
- This recipe cannot be canned to preserve. Nor do I recommend freezing the tomato relish recipe as it changes the texture.
Expert Tip: Do not try and can the relish, there is not enough acid to preserve the tomatoes.
Storage
Glass mason jars are perfect for storing the fresh tomato relish or any airtight container. Be sure to refrigerate leftovers.
This will last in the refrigerator up to two weeks.
Serving suggestions
There are so many uses for homemade relish, here are a few of my favorites!
- Toss it in macaroni salad for an extra added zing!
- Layer it on a toasted bagel with cream cheese, delish!
- Use it as a light salad dressing - it really has great flavor!
- Exchange tomato relish for pickles in potato salad - yum!
- Finish off a grilled veggie patty - everyone will be saying WOW that's good!
- Better yet - enjoy with my Slow Cooker Mushroom Burger!
- Topping grilled vegetables with tomato relish will give them extra flavor.
- Slather on Toast Points.
- Perfect on hot dogs.
- It's delicious on eggs; fried, scrambled or an omelet!
- Add it to your Egg Salad to give it an extra POP!
- Top off your favorite burger!
- Sprinkle over. grilled pork chops.
Related recipes
- Alabama White Sauce - tangy and delicious, I love this as a dipper for chicken and it's a delicious salad dressing. Need more ideas? Just dip a French fry in it and you'll love it!
- One of my favorite homemade sauces is this super yummy Plum BBQ Sauce Recipe, it's sweet and a little spicy, perfect on pork or chicken!
- Pollo Tropical Cilantro Lime Sauce is outstanding! It's great to dip chicken or pork, terrific for fries as well!
Still have leftover tomatoes? Try this Green Tomato Relish Recipe - you'll love this tangy sauce as well!
Fresh Tomato Relish Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup tomatoes finely diced
- ½ yellow onion finely diced
- ½ jalapeño pepper finely diced,
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon celery seed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- Start by removing the stem of the tomato and finely dice. Do the same with the onion and place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Next slice the pepper in half and scrape out the ribs and seeds, finely dice.
- Add the remaining ingredients - salt, pepper, celery seeds and sugar.
- Using a spoon, miix together all of the ingredients. Allow it to stand at room temperature for about an hour and it's ready to enjoy! Refrigerate leftovers. This keeps in the refrigerator up to two weeks.
Debi
This was easy to make and super yummy. I made it with the last of my garden tomatoes. Thanks for the recipe.
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful! I love this recipe Debi, I'm glad you're enjoying it as well!!
Darla S Goodman
Cam this be water bath canned??
Bowl Me Over
No, I don't believe their's enough vinegar to preserve it. I have had readers freeze it, though I haven't tried that myself.
Kathy Brown
I’m wondering if this recipe can be canned? Would love if I could can it so I can use it throughout the winter months.
Bowl Me Over
I just tried processing this and canning it. This recipe is not designed to be canned, there isn't enough preserving elements in the recipe. If you're specifically looking to can tomato relish, here's a recipe I found online. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds quite delicious! https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/garden-tomato-relish/
Lynne
Can this also be preserved with canning? If so waterbath or pressure?
Bowl Me Over
I have never preserved it by canning. I suspect there would not be enough sugar to preserve the relish, but I can't tell you that for sure. I would process it in a water bath for 10 minutes. I have plenty of tomatoes handy, I'll give it a try also and report back Lynne!! Let me know if you try it also.
Carine
I live this tomato relish recipe! I can see this on my Christmas toast really well with basil, goat cheese and roasted walnuts ?
Bowl Me Over
Oh now that sounds AMAZING Carine, I will definitely give that a try!!
Brian Jones
I love stuff like this, we grow loads of tomatoes and have a few recipes for tomato relish. Will have to give this one a go.
Bowl Me Over
A perfect delish to enjoy tomatoes just a little longer thanks Brian!
Ginny
This really is versatile. Love that i's spicy and I'll be able to use it on so many things. Thanks for the recipe!
Bowl Me Over
Very versatile and so delicious, you're welcome Ginny, enjoy!
Nadja | Nashi Food
I can imagine topping an omelet with this homemade tomato relish, so good. In fact, I could top almost any savory dish with it. ??
Bowl Me Over
Omlet + Tomato Relish = Delish! 😀 The perfect condiment!!
Thao @ In Good Flavor
I need to start making my own tomato relish. This looks so good and it's so easy to make too! I'm amazed that it could last in the fridge for over a month.
Bowl Me Over
I know right, but with the vinegar and pickling spices it's no surprise. I've made another batch and it's sitting in there too - testing it to see. I hope you give this a try Thao!
Jennifer A Stewart
I love tomato relish! That tangy vinegar flavor is so amazing with the fresh tomatoes and you can put it on EVERYTHING!! I'm going to try it on some pasta!
Bowl Me Over
Mmmm!!!! Another delicious choice, great thinking Jennifer!!!
Michaela Kenkel
Recipes like this are always the best!! How can you not love a recipe from your great grandmother?! This relish looks amazing! I have some 'maters begging to be used for it!
Bowl Me Over
Then you should definitely make Michaela! It keeps in the fridge for over a month - enjoy those maters even longer!!
Sandra
What a special recipe to share with us! I could practically eat The whole jar of this tomato relish with a spoon! Love the idea of topping it on an omelet too!
Bowl Me Over
Just so many uses! When I first read the recipe I thought hmmm..... what would I use it on? Then after I made I put it on everything, it's just that yummy! 🙂
Madi
I've never made tomato relish before but now I have to! What an amazing way to use up tomatoes from the garden!
Bowl Me Over
Boy howdy, this relish is just delish! Definitely a favorite in our home!!!
Dan from Platter Talk
Family recipes are the best and this homemade tomato relish looks like it fits right into that category! We are on our way to the farmers market in an hour or so and this will be on our list of must makes for this Saturday! Thank you for pairing our omelette with this recipe; everything you have suggested looks really mouthwatering!
Bowl Me Over
Oh you definitely need to give this a try Dan. My folks are visiting this week and I made an omelet and topped it with this again. Mom was so happy to see her Grandma's recipe again. It has amazing flavor, just delicious!
Angela
Sounds great!!! So many ways to use this relish! Cant wait to make it... top eggs for breakfast, chicken for dinner and maybe toss it into a salad too!
Bowl Me Over
Mmmm! That's right Angela, so many delicious uses it's my favorite condiment! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Julie
I just love looking through old family recipes and it is a treasure trove! This relish looks so fresh and delicious!
Bowl Me Over
Isn't it though? Family recipes are the best. Sometimes it's nice to give them a fresh update, but this recipe is just perfect the way it is - what a treat! Thanks Julie!!
Liza
Oh, this recipe is just SO GOOD! I bet it's because it was tested by time! Love, love, love it! So delicious and so versatile! Simply the best! 🙂
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Liza - the flavors are so delicious and just this morning we topped off an omelet with it - delish! My folks are in town visiting so we've gotten some extra down-time in. It's been great!
Wanda
I made this all the time but instead of the red wine vinegar I use lemon or lime and I take my tomatoes and finely dice then take course salt and sprinkle over them and let them sit in a strainor for about 30 mins and then I mix everything and if you pour off the juice the tomatoes make daily it lasts alot longer. Also, try adding to fried corn and veggies instead of cutting tomatoes,onions,and peppers on the side.
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful addition and ideas Wanda, thank you so much!