Hot dogs just aren’t the same without a great relish, and this sweet and spicy corn relish is the one I make all summer long. It’s fresh, tangy, a little spicy, and incredibly versatile. Spoon it over hot dogs, burgers, tacos, salads, or even eggs, and suddenly everything tastes like summer.
Make a double batch if you can. It disappears fast.
Jump To
- Why We Love This Corn Relish
- Ingredients
- How to Cook the Corn (Choose One Method)
- 🥘 How To Make Hot Dog Relish (Corn Relish) Step By Step
- 👨🍳 Rita's Equipment
- Rita's Tip
- 📋 Tips
- 🍱Storage Instructions
- What To Serve With Corn Relish
- More Easy Summer Recipes
- 📖Recipe
- 🤷Frequently Asked Questions
- More Easy Condiments
- 💬 Comments
Why We Love This Corn Relish
- Keeps well in the fridge for up to a week when stored properly
- A fresher, cleaner alternative to store-bought relish
- Easy to make with simple summer ingredients
- Perfect when you’re tired of plain corn on the cob
- Sweet, tangy, and just spicy enough to keep things interesting
This is our go-to condiment for summer BBQs, right next to dill pickles, always.
Ingredients
- Corn - Fresh corn gives the best flavor and texture. Canned corn works in a pinch but freshly grilled or charred corn kernels really make this relish shine.
- Veggies - Brown or sweet onions both work beautifully. Bell peppers add crunch and color. Use one kind or a mix. You can also use a chopped combo of celery, carrot, and onion.
- Fresh herbs - Cilantro or parsley add freshness. A few sliced green onions work well too if you want a mild onion bite.
- Turmeric - Adds color and a subtle earthy flavor. Want a twist? A small amount of curry powder or paste works too.
- Jalapenos - Serrano or red hot peppers are great substitutes. Adobo paste also works, but it is much spicier, so use sparingly.
👩🍳 You'll find the complete list of ingredients below the recipe card.
How to Cook the Corn (Choose One Method)
Bake - Rub corn with oil and bake on a sheet pan at 425°F (220°C) for 30 minutes. For extra-soft corn, bake up to 25 minutes longer.
Grill - Soak corn in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes. Oil the grill grates and grill the corn until lightly charred on all sides, about 20 minutes.
Boil - Add corn to a large pot, cover with water, season with salt, and bring to a boil. Simmer on medium-low for 10 to 15 minutes, until tender.
Optional step: After boiling or baking, brush the corn with oil or butter and grill briefly for extra char.
Once cool enough to handle, cut the kernels off the cob and set aside.
🥘 How To Make Hot Dog Relish (Corn Relish) Step By Step
- Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add bell peppers and sauté until just starting to soften.
- Stir in jalapeño, garlic, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Cook briefly until fragrant.
- Add the cooked corn, sugar, and vinegar. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Remove from heat, squeeze in lime juice, and let cool completely.
- Transfer to glass jars or containers and refrigerate for at least 6 hours. Overnight is best.
- Assemble the hot dogs. Toast the hot dogs and the buns, then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Pop the cheese dogs in the oven at 425°F or grill them with a lid until the cheese melts. Top with plenty of corn relish and enjoy while warm!
👨🍳 Rita's Equipment
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Ball Wide Mouth Glass Mason Jars
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Don’t rush the corn. Let it get a little char on the grill or in the pan. That quick caramelization brings out a sweet, smoky flavor that makes this relish irresistible.
📋 Tips
- Use fresh corn if possible – Fresh, in-season corn has the best flavor and texture. Grilled or lightly charred corn adds extra depth.
- Adjust spice to taste – Start with a small amount of jalapeño and increase if you like it spicier.
- Cook veggies just right – Sauté peppers until they’re softened but still have a slight crunch for texture.
- Balance sweetness and tang – Taste the relish before refrigerating; add a little more sugar or vinegar if needed.
- Let it chill – The flavors develop and meld beautifully after at least 6 hours in the fridge, preferably overnight.
- Versatile topping – This relish isn’t just for hot dogs! Try it on tacos, burgers, salads, or scrambled eggs.
🍱Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- 🥶Freezing. Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- 🔥To Reheat. Warm gently in a pan over medium heat or in the microwave until just heated through.
What To Serve With Corn Relish
- Grilled hot dogs and burgers: Classic choice. This relish adds sweetness, crunch, and a little heat to any backyard favorite.
- Simple summer salads: Pair with a light cucumber salad, tomato salad, or coleslaw to keep things fresh and balanced.
- Grilled veggies on the side: Corn relish works great alongside grilled zucchini, asparagus, or bell peppers.
- Chips and dips spread: Spoon it into a small bowl and serve with tortilla chips for an easy BBQ appetizer.
More Easy Summer Recipes
📖Recipe
Hot Dog Relish (Easy Corn Relish Recipe)
Ingredients
- ½ red bell pepper, diced
- ½ yellow bell pepper, diced
- 4 corn on the cob, grilled, boiled or baked
- 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped finely, seeds removed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 medium brown onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoon tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon grainy mustard
- 1 handful fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- ½ cup white sugar
Instructions
- Corn. Roast the corn on the grill, boil or cook in the oven.* Once cooked through and cooled to the touch, cut the corn kernels off the cob and set aside.
- In a large saucepot over medium heat add vegetable oil and once hot, sauté bell peppers. Stir until they start to soften and add in jalapeno, garlic, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Stir until just combined, then add the cooked corn, sugar, and vinegar. Stir the mixture until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, squeeze in the lime juice and let cool.
- Once cooled, divide between glass jars/containers and refrigerate for at least 6 hours; overnight is best.
- Assemble the Hot Dogs. Toast the hot dogs and the buns, add shredded cheddar cheese on top. Pop them in the oven or grill for the cheese to melt and top with plenty of sweet and spicy corn relish. Enjoy the hot dogs while warm!
- This recipe makes about 1½ - 2 cups of homemade corn relish.
Notes
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Corn cravings? Try my Mexican Corn Salsa, and Parmesan Zucchini & Corn Skillet for simple, flavorful sides.
🤷Frequently Asked Questions
You can, but fresh corn or grilled kernels give the best flavor and texture.
It’s mildly spicy by default, but you can adjust by using fewer jalapeños or skipping the dried chilies.
Both work! It’s usually served chilled, but it’s great warm on hot dogs or burgers too.
More Easy Condiments
Rita
An easy summer bbq staple recipe for corn relish!
Robert
Delicious corn relish, we use it as salsa and for hot dogs!
Zayan
what a great way to preserve corn, we love to make it with grilled corn on the cob for some smoky flavor
Megan
My mom made this when I was a kid, I’d eat it by the jar!
Gerald
I made this last week and it was a hit. I will be making 2 batches now. Thank you for sharing!