National Dish Canada: Chow Chow Relish (Recipe)
In this article
Meet Chow Chow Relish, a bright, sweet-and-sour vegetable preserve that has earned its place on Canadian tables from the Maritimes westwards. Crisp cucumbers, glowing peppers and onions are steeped in a tangy syrup scented with mustard seeds and turmeric, giving you a condiment that livens up everything from a plate of cold cuts to a simple cheese sandwich. It is easy to make, keeps beautifully and tastes better the longer you leave it.
About Chow Chow Relish
Chow Chow Relish is a genuine highlight of Canadian cooking. This vibrant vegetable preserve brings together a whole range of flavours and adds a splash of colour to the table. Cucumbers, peppers and onions come together in a sweet-and-sour marinade that lends a special note to whatever it accompanies. Whether spooned alongside hearty dishes or tucked into a sandwich, chow chow relish is endlessly versatile and works particularly well with richer, more savoury flavours.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 1 cup cucumbers, diced
- 1/2 cup peppers, diced (red and yellow)
- 1/2 cup onions, diced
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
Shopping for the ingredients
When shopping for the ingredients for chow chow relish, choosing fresh produce makes all the difference. Visit your local market or a greengrocer with a good turnover of vegetables. Look for cucumbers that are firm and crisp and peppers with a bright, glossy skin — that is where the freshest flavour comes from. The spices matter too, so buy good-quality ones, as they carry much of the relish’s aroma. If you enjoy putting up preserves, it is worth picking up extra vegetables for a batch of Green Tomato Chow Chow at the same time.
Preparing the dish
Preparing chow chow relish starts with washing the vegetables thoroughly and dicing them. Try to cut everything to an even size so the flavours mingle properly as the relish matures. Tip the vegetables into a bowl and scatter over a little salt to draw out the moisture. Leave everything to stand for around 30 minutes — this simple step concentrates the taste considerably.
Step-by-step instructions
- Combine the diced vegetables with salt in a bowl and leave to stand for 30 minutes.
- Drain off the excess liquid and transfer the vegetables to a pan.
- In a separate pan, heat the sugar, vinegar, mustard seeds and turmeric until the sugar has dissolved.
- Pour the vinegar mixture over the vegetables and bring to the boil.
- Simmer the mixture for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender but still have some bite.
- Spoon the chow chow relish into sterilised jars and seal well.
- Ideally, let the relish rest covered in the fridge for a few days before eating so the flavours can deepen.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
Chow chow relish is naturally gluten-free and lactose-free, which makes it an excellent choice for anyone with an intolerance. Do keep an eye on the ingredients you buy, particularly the spices, as ready-made blends can carry traces of gluten. Avoid pre-mixed seasonings and reach for fresh, single spices instead.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
For vegans and vegetarians, chow chow relish is a perfect addition to almost any meal. It contains no animal products at all and brings welcome variety to the plate. Use it as a topping for a plant-based burger or serve it alongside Grilled Veggie Skewers. The sweet-sour note works beautifully with a wide range of vegetable dishes and lifts anything it touches.
More tips and tricks
A few tips and tricks will make your chow chow relish even better. Experiment with other vegetables such as carrots or celery to discover new flavour combinations. Depending on your preference, use the onions raw or blanch them briefly to soften their bite. Store the finished jars somewhere cool and dark to extend their shelf life.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
Adapting the recipe to your own preferences is easy and rather good fun. If you fancy a fruitier version, try adding apple or pineapple. For more heat, stir in shredded chilli or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Be creative and find your own take on chow chow relish — a spoonful is also a fine partner for a slice of Peameal Bacon Sandwich.
Ingredient substitutions
If you do not have everything to hand, there are plenty of alternatives to fall back on. In place of sugar you might try honey or agave syrup for a more natural sweetness. For the vinegar base, cider vinegar or red wine vinegar both work well, depending on what you have in the cupboard. Stay open to adjustments and shape the relish to suit your own taste.
Drink pairing ideas
A generous helping of chow chow relish goes with a surprising number of drinks. A crisp cider harmonises particularly well with the sweet-and-sour notes. Among soft options, kombucha or homemade lemonade both go down nicely. If you prefer something stronger, a light beer or a dry white wine rounds off the flavour combination neatly.
Serving and presentation ideas
Thoughtful presentation makes chow chow relish even more enjoyable. Serve it in small decorative jars that show off the colours of the vegetables. Add fresh herbs such as parsley or dill as a garnish for extra visual appeal. Set the jars on the table alongside the main dishes so everyone can help themselves — it is a natural companion to a plate of Baked Beans.
A bit of history
Chow chow relish has its roots in traditional Canadian home cooking, where it was originally devised as a way of preserving vegetables. That mattered enormously in rural areas, where the harvest season was short. Making relish allowed households to carry the abundance of summer through the colder months. Over time a number of regional variations have emerged, but the basic ingredients and methods remain much the same, and the preserve is still a fixture of Canadian cuisine.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Chow Chow Relish
In short, chow chow relish is an indispensable part of Canadian food culture. With its fresh ingredients and distinctive sweet-and-sour marinade, it brings life to any meal. Whether you serve it beside hearty mains or use it as a clever addition to sandwiches, it has any number of uses and is genuinely simple to make. Give the recipe a go and let Canadian cooking inspire you.
