Corn Relish: How to Make and Can It
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Need something new to make this summer during your canning endeavors? Here’s how to make homemade corn relish and how to can it for later!
Easy Corn Relish Canning Recipe
Are you looking for the best corn relish recipe? Do you know what’s better than making your own delicious relish? Canning it! This easy homemade corn relish recipe is the perfect way to add a pop of flavor to your summer dishes. It’s made with just a few simple ingredients and can be whipped up and canned in no time.
We’ve been working on making a lot of pickles, salsas, relishes, and other condiments this year to stock our canning pantry because we’ve found that’s what we use the most!
This Corn Relish is filled with yummy vegetables and was the perfect extra addition to our pantry. When you use fresh corn off the cob it really tastes like summer in a jar!
Here are more simple canning and preserving recipes and ideas to use this summer.
What is Corn Relish?
Corn relish is a traditional Southern side dish/savory topping made out of cooked whole corn kernels, peppers, onions, sugar, vinegar, and various spices. There are a number of corn relish variations out there, and it has become a staple in Southern cookouts.
Ingredients in Corn Relish
- Vinegar. I use apple cider vinegar in all of my canning recipes because that’s all I keep on hand. You can use white vinegar or cider vinegar. I get my vinegar from Azure.
- Sugar. This will help cut the acid in the recipe so that the relish isn’t so sour. You can add less sugar according to your preferences. More sugar will make it more of a sweet corn relish.
- Salt. Some people prefer to use a specific kind of salt for canning; I use what I have on hand. The only difference is that your jar may be a little more cloudy.
- Whole Kernel Corn. This is fresh ears of corn that you have cut off the cob. You could probably use frozen corn, but I haven’t tried it.
- Bell Peppers. Red Bell Peppers will add some color and a bit of flavor to your relish. A mixture of green bell peppers and red will make for a nice color in your relish. I think you could also sub for a little jalapeno or a spicer pepper if you want a bit of kick in your recipe.
- Celery. Celery is a nice green addition to this recipe for a little more texture and flavor.
- Onion. Don’t skip the onion if you want the perfect tangy relish for your burgers and hot dogs.
- Dry Mustard, Celery Seeds, Turmeric. These are all the spices that you need in addition to the salt. I get my spices in bulk from Azure.
Instructions for Making Corn Relish
First, prepare canner, jars, and lids. This recipe will make about 6 pint-sized jars.
TIP! Make sure the water in your water bath canner is boiling and ready to go.
In a large saucepan, combine vinegar, sugar, and salt. Boil until sugar is dissolved. Add in corn, peppers, celery, and onion, stirring constantly and maintaining the boil. Then, add in all of the spices.
Ladle the hot corn relish into jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remember to remove air bubbles and wipe rims before placing them on clean lids and bands. Secure bands to fingertip tightness. This recipe should make around 6 pint jars.
Place jars in the canner so that they are covered with water (about 1 inch over the tops of the jars). Bring to a boil and process for 15 minutes or adjust for high altitude.
Remove the canner lid and let the jars remain in the canner for 5 minutes before removing and setting them on a solid surface to cool and dry.
Wait until all jars have been sealed (at least 12-24 hours) before removing the rims and storing them in your pantry.
Tip: If you’re looking for tips on safe home canning, give this a read: Testing Jar Seals And Reprocessing Jars (Safe Home Canning).
Corn Relish Canning Recipe
Make your own corn relish with this simple canning recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 cups vinegar
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 8 cups corn kernels
- 4 cups diced bell peppers
- 1 3/4 cups celery
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons celery seeds
- 2 teaspoons turmeric
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
-
Prepare canner, jars, and lids.
-
Make sure the water in your water bath canner is boiling and ready to go.
-
In a large saucepan, combine vinegar, sugar, and salt. Boil until sugar is dissolved.
-
Add in corn, peppers, celery, and onion, stirring constantly and maintaining the boil.
-
Add in all of the spices.
-
Ladle hot relish into jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
-
Remove air bubbles and wipe rims before placing them on clean lids and bands.
-
Secure bands to fingertip tightness.
-
Place jars in the canner so that they are covered with water (about 1 inch over the tops of the jars). Bring to a boil and process for 15 minutes or adjust for high altitude.
-
Remove the canner lid and let the jars remain in the canner for 5 minutes before removing and setting them on a solid surface to cool and dry.
-
Wait until all jars have been sealed (at least 12-24 hours) before removing the rims and storing them in your pantry.
How to Use Corn Relish
Corn relish is typically served as a side dish, topping, or condiment with hot dogs, hamburgers, and other sandwiches. It is also a popular ingredient in salads and wraps and as a dip for chips. But, really, you can use this corn relish recipe however you want!
We typically serve our corn relish on the side of our plates as a yummy, pickle side dish.
Tip: Looking for more things to make with corn? Here are some of my favorite corn recipes to make.
More Relish Recipes
From zucchini to jalapeno, here are more yummy relish recipes that you must try!
- Canning Jalapeno Relish
- Zucchini Relish Canning Recipe
- Home Canned Dill Relish
- Chunky Cucumber Relish
- Homemade Dill Relish
Did you make this recipe and enjoy it? Be sure to leave a star rating on the recipe card and share it with friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and through Email using the sharing buttons below!
I recommend a Presto Pressure Canner and the book Putting Food By for all your canning projects!
Have you ever tried making different kinds of relish? Which one is your favorite? Share them in the comment section!
Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple life since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to freedom on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.
This blog post on How To Make Corn Relish was originally posted on Little House Living in August 2023.
