Roasted Pepper Relish is an incredibly flavorful and versatile condiment that can elevate a variety of dishes. Whether used as a salsa-like dip, a spread for sandwiches, or a tasty condiment for grilled meats, this relish brings a delightful blend of sweetness, heat, and tanginess to your table. Perfect for any time of year, this relish is a wonderful way to make the most of fresh, colorful peppers.
Ingredient Notes
Bell Peppers: The main ingredients in this relish are bell peppers. Red bell peppers are particularly sweet and give the relish a vibrant color, but you can also use yellow or orange bell peppers for added sweetness and color. Green bell peppers can be used, but they tend to have a slightly bitter taste compared to their sweeter counterparts.
Jalapeno Peppers: For a medium heat level, jalapeño peppers are a great choice. They add a little spice without overwhelming the other flavors. Adjust the amount according to your heat preference.
Red Chili Peppers: Red Fessno Peppers or add a bit more heat and a deeper red color to the relish.
Honey: brings a sweet flavor that balances the heat from the peppers. It also helps to create a smooth texture when blended.
Rice Wine Vinegar:This vinegar adds a mild tanginess and helps preserve the relish. White or apple cider vinegar can be a good substitute.
Instructions
Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high heat is necessary to properly roast the peppers, allowing them to blister and develop a deep, rich flavor.
Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This step makes cleanup easier and prevents the peppers from sticking to the pan.
Place the whole bell peppers, jalapeños, and red chili peppers on the prepared cookie sheet. Drizzle them generously with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, turning the peppers halfway through to ensure they blister evenly on all sides.
Once the peppers are blistered and slightly charred, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely. This cooling process is crucial as it makes peeling and seeding the peppers easier.
After the peppers have cooled, cut off their tops, slice them in half, and use a knife to scrape out the seeds and white membrane. Discard these parts and place the flesh of the peppers into a food processor.
Add the honey, rice wine vinegar, salt, and fresh ground pepper to the food processor. Pulse the mixture until you reach your desired consistency. Aim for a texture that is smooth enough to scoop easily but still has some chunky bits for texture.
Transfer the roasted pepper relish to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. This relish can be enjoyed immediately, but the flavors will develop even more if allowed to sit for a few hours or overnight.
How to Serve
- As a Dip: Serve with tortilla chips, pita chips, or fresh vegetables for a flavorful snack.
- On Sandwiches: Spread on sandwiches or burgers to add a sweet and spicy kick.
- With Grilled Meats: Use as a topping for grilled chicken, steak, or fish.
- On Toast: Spread on toast or crackers, paired with cream cheese or goat cheese.
- In Pasta: Stir into pasta or pasta salads for an extra burst of flavor.
- As a Pizza Topping: Use as a topping for homemade pizzas along with other favorite ingredients.
- With BEANS: (some of you know this was coming;) Add these red pepper relish to some white beans like navy or great northers for an amazing bean salad.
Tips, Tricks, and Alterations
- Adjust the Heat: For a milder relish, reduce the number of jalapeño and red chili peppers. For more heat, consider adding ghost peppers or red pepper flakes.
- Experiment with Vinegar: Try apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar for different flavor profiles.
- Add Onions: Include finely chopped onions or onion relish to add more depth to the flavor.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Add chopped fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, or parsley for extra freshness.
- Make it Sweeter: If you prefer a sweeter relish, increase the amount of honey or add a small amount of sugar.
- Storage: Store the relish in half-pint jars or any airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Try Different Peppers: Use a variety of hot peppers to experiment with flavors and heat levels. Yellow peppers and green peppers can also be mixed in for more color and flavor variation.
Roasted Pepper Relish is a delightful and versatile condiment that can enhance a variety of dishes with its sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. This simple recipe uses fresh ingredients and can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences. Whether you enjoy it as a dip, spread, or topping, this relish is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Try this great recipe today and discover new favorite ways to enjoy roasted pepper relish!
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Recipe
Roasted Pepper Relish
Equipment
- Food processor
- Cookie sheet lined with foil or parchment paper
Ingredients
- 6 bell peppers red, yellow, or orange, whole
- 3-6 jalapeño pepper whole
- 3-6 red chili peppers whole (fresso or cherry peppers)
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- Olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Place the whole bell peppers, jalapeños, and red chili peppers on the prepared cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Roast in the oven for about 30 minutes, turning halfway through, until the peppers are blistered and slightly charred.
- Allow the peppers to cool completely.
- Cut off the tops of the peppers, slice them in half, and scrape out the seeds and white membrane. Discard these parts.
- Place the flesh of the peppers into a food processor. Add the honey, rice wine vinegar, salt, and fresh ground pepper.
- Pulse until the mixture reaches your desired consistency.
- Transfer the relish to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
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