Looking to bring something fresh, sweet, and tangy to your table? This homemade Sweet Zucchini Relish is the perfect way to turn garden zucchini into a condiment that rivals anything you can buy at the store. Bursting with flavor, colorful with peppers and spices, and preserved to last, this relish is a staple for summer cookouts and cozy winter meals alike. It’s vibrant, zesty, and versatile—the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself making year after year.

Perfect for topping burgers, hot dogs, or sandwiches—or even stirring into potato salad—this relish is sweet, tangy, and seasoned with just enough spice to keep things interesting. Once you taste it, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This zucchini relish is the perfect blend of fresh produce and pantry staples. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your kitchen:

Flavorful & Vibrant: Sweet zucchini, onions, peppers, and spices combine for a condiment that’s bursting with flavor.
Homemade Goodness: No preservatives, no fillers—just fresh vegetables and real ingredients.
Versatile: Pairs perfectly with grilled meats, sandwiches, salads, or even as a dip mix-in.
Great for Preserving: Canned properly, it lasts months—so you’ll have a taste of summer all year long.
Easy to Make: A few simple steps and you’ll have jars of homemade relish ready to enjoy or gift.

Prep & Cooking Time

This relish does require an overnight rest for the zucchini and onions, but the hands-on time is minimal and totally worth it.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes (plus overnight rest)
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: About 55 minutes (plus overnight rest)

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up a batch of homemade zucchini relish:

12 cups shredded unpeeled zucchini
4 cups chopped onion
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
5 tablespoons canning salt
6 cups white sugar
2 ½ cups white vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 ½ teaspoons celery seed
¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¾ teaspoon ground turmeric
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Step-by-Step

Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables: In a large non-metallic bowl, combine shredded zucchini and chopped onion. Sprinkle with canning salt, mix thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
Drain and Rinse: The next day, drain the zucchini-onion mixture. Rinse under cold water and squeeze out excess moisture.
Cook the Relish Base: In a large pot, combine sugar, vinegar, red and green peppers, and cornstarch. Add celery seed, nutmeg, turmeric, and black pepper. Stir well.
Combine and Simmer: Add the drained zucchini mixture to the pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Sterilize Jars: Wash jars and lids in hot, soapy water, rinse, then boil for 10 minutes to sterilize.
Fill and Seal Jars: Ladle the hot relish into sterilized jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Remove air bubbles, clean rims, and seal with lids and bands.
Process the Jars: Place jars in a boiling water bath, submerged by at least 2 inches. Process for 30 minutes.
Cool and Check Seals: Remove jars, let cool, and check seals. Lids that don’t move when pressed are properly sealed.

How to Serve

This Sweet Zucchini Relish is incredibly versatile, making it a star addition to many different meals. For the classics, nothing beats spreading it over a juicy burger or spooning it onto a sizzling hot dog at a summer cookout. Its sweet-and-tangy profile cuts beautifully through the richness of grilled meats, enhancing every bite with a fresh, zesty kick. Even simple sandwiches get an upgrade when paired with a generous spoonful of this relish—it turns an ordinary lunch into something memorable.

Beyond the usual uses, this relish shines as a secret ingredient in side dishes. A spoonful stirred into potato salad or pasta salad brings balance and brightness, lifting up creamy and starchy flavors with just the right amount of acidity. You can also mix it into coleslaw for a tangy twist that pairs well with barbecue or fried chicken. Even deviled eggs can benefit from a touch of zucchini relish for added complexity and crunch.

For something a little unexpected, try serving zucchini relish as part of an appetizer spread. Pair it with sharp cheeses like cheddar or gouda, add crackers, and watch it disappear from the platter. It’s also a thoughtful homemade gift—beautifully canned jars tied with a ribbon make a lovely gesture for friends and family. Whether it’s a cookout, picnic, or holiday feast, this relish brings color, flavor, and a touch of homemade love to the table.

Tips & Variations

When it comes to making this relish your own, there are countless ways to get creative. If you love spice, consider adding diced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mix. This will give the relish a little heat without overwhelming its naturally sweet and tangy character. On the other hand, if you prefer something milder, you can keep the recipe exactly as it is and let the warm spices of nutmeg and turmeric take the spotlight.

You can also play with the vegetables to create your own colorful version. While the recipe calls for red and green bell peppers, yellow or orange peppers add extra brightness and visual appeal. For a chunkier relish, chop the zucchini into small cubes instead of shredding it. If you prefer something smoother and more spreadable, process the mixture with an immersion blender for a finer texture. Both versions taste wonderful—it just depends on your preference.

Finally, think about how sweet you’d like your relish to be. The recipe uses six cups of sugar, but you can cut it down slightly if you prefer a tangier, less sweet flavor. Some cooks also like to add a spoonful of mustard seeds or even a splash of apple cider vinegar for an extra layer of zing. And if canning isn’t your thing, you can simply make a smaller batch and store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. This flexibility makes zucchini relish a recipe you can truly make your own.

Final Thoughts

Homemade Sweet Zucchini Relish is more than just a condiment—it’s a celebration of fresh produce and the joy of preserving food to enjoy throughout the year. It transforms humble garden zucchini into something extraordinary, proving that simple ingredients can create big flavors. The balance of sweet, tangy, and spiced notes makes it a perfect companion to both everyday meals and special gatherings.

What makes this relish truly special is the sense of tradition it brings. Recipes like this often get passed down through families, becoming part of the rhythm of summer harvests and winter comforts. Each jar you prepare carries not only flavor but also the satisfaction of making something wholesome with your own hands. It’s the kind of kitchen project that feels as rewarding as it tastes.

Whether you’re gifting it to a friend, spooning it over a burger at your next cookout, or pulling out a jar in the middle of winter to remember the warmth of summer, zucchini relish is a recipe that never disappoints. Once you make it, you’ll find yourself returning to it year after year, building your own tradition around its bright, tangy goodness. In a world full of store-bought shortcuts, there’s nothing quite like the pride of popping open a jar of your own homemade relish.