Spicy green tomato relish is an easy homemade condiment made with green tomatoes and crushed red peppers. It is a delicious compliment to grilled meats.
Towards the end of each summer, as the weather gets colder, tomato plants are often left with a number of green tomatoes that will never ripen. If your tomato plant is one of those, have no fear, I’ve got a great recipe to use up some of your summer bounty: Spicy Green Tomato Relish.
What do you need?
GREEN TOMATOES: Green tomatoes are basically unripened red tomatoes. They are much more tart and firm than their ripened counterparts. Bigger varietals like beefsteak or early girls work the best for this.
DES’ TIP: Despite looking similar once the husk is removed, tomatillos are not the same as green tomatoes. The flesh of tomatillos is slightly more acidic than green tomatoes. However, they do fry up just as nicely as I found out in my Fried Green Tomatillos Recipe.
BELL PEPPER: I chose red for the color but you could really use any kind of bell pepper.
ONION: You could use regular yellow, white or a sweet walla walla in this recipe.
VINEGAR: This gives the relish a distinct acidic flavor that is common with relishes. This recipe calls for distilled white.
SUGAR: To add sweetness.
SALT: I prefer to use kosher salt but you can use a sea salt as a substitution. Here is a handy list of salt substitutions from Morton Salt incase you need more options.
GROUND MUSTARD: A must have when making relish in my opinion.
CRUSHED RED PEPPERS: This is where the heat comes from in this Spicy Green Tomato Relish. You can totally leave it out and have a basic tomato relish but try it with the heat. It’s a perfectly compliment to the sweetness from the sugar.
WATER
STEP BY STEP PHOTOS AND INSTRUCTIONS:
Step #1: Dice all of your vegetables: tomatoes, onions and bell peppers. You want them to be about the same size so that they cook evenly.
Step #2: Combine all of the ingredients in a medium – large saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer until it is reduced by 2/3rds. This will take about an hour or so.
STEP #3: Remove from heat and allow to cool. Store in clean glass jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
What do you use this on?
This is FABULOUS on hamburgers and hot dogs, friends. It would even be great with grilled chicken or white fish like cod. Or, for a quick appetizer, pour some over some softened cream cheese and serve with crackers. Divine.
How long does this last?
Unlike most relish recipes, this Spicy Tomato Relish, makes a small batch about two cups. This is great for people like me, that don’t can. It’ll last a few weeks in the refrigerator. I mean, if you don’t put it on all the things.
But you probably will.
If you love making your own condiments like this Spicy Green Tomato Relish, try your hand at these recipes:
Looking for other recipes to use up your green tomatoes? Here are my favorites!
Note: This recipe was originally published in 2012. It was updated with new step by step photos and instructions in 2020.
Servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound green tomatoes (diced)
- 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (seeds and ribs removed, diced)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients together in a 3 qt sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer until it reduces by about 2/3rd's, about an hour.
- Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
[…] 20. Spicy Green Tomato Relish […]
Hi Yetta, I am not familiar with canning so I can’t confirm that this would be safe when canned. Sorry I can’t help!
I was wanting to try your recipe, but I have several green tomatoes and would want to can them. Rather than put them in a jar cool, I was wondering if I could put them hot in hot sterile jars and seal them for use later.
I am so happy to hear that, Nancy!! Glad you enjoy it :)
This is so wonderful I love the spicy made last summer and again this year this goes into my do a again book.
You are so welcome, Izzi! Glad to hear that you enjoyed it :)
Wow, this is so good! I have tons of green tomatoes and had been looking around for some ideas on how to use them. This recipe was super easy and made a great sweet relish with a little snap from the pepper flakes. It’ll be a go-to for sure. Thanks!
[…] Spicy Green Tomato Relish ~ Life’s Ambrosia […]
I am so happy to hear that, Connie!! I’ll have to try it with chips next time. Thank you!!
I’ve made this yummy recipe several times and now I double it and freeze it. EVERYONE loves it with tortilla chips.
[…] Spicy Green Tomato Relish ~ Life’s Ambrosia […]
This is perfect! I love that it is spicy!! So yummy!
This spicy green tomato relish sounds amazing !! I bet the red pepper gives it a nice kick and contrast in flavors. I can’t wait to try it!
I love how easy and delicious this is!! A great way to use up my summer tomatoes!
This relish sounds SO delicious!! I can’t wait to try it! :)
This was so delicious and easy! Thanks for the recipe!
I’ve never worked with green tomatoes or tomatillos, so thanks for the tip! This relish sounds awesome!
I know I’m going to end up with a lot of leftover green tomatoes! I am printing for later! Thank you!
What a great way to use my summer tomatoes! Looking forward to making this later this afternoon; looks too good to pass up!
Hi Julie! I don’t have much experience with canning so I am not sure how to modify this to give it a longer shelf life. Sorry!
How would you modify for a longer shelf life?
Thanks Teresa! I actually have some chilies that I plan on experimenting with tomorrow. If all goes well I should have a new recipe using them next Wednesday :)
This looks wonderful. Would love to see some more hatch chile recipes too. Going to Whole Foods this weekend for the roasting.