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Homemade Piccalilli with Vegetables Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 131 reviews
  • Author: Nora
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Condiment
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: British

Description

Piccalilli is a traditional British mixed vegetable relish characterized by its tangy, slightly spicy mustard sauce. This vibrant condiment combines chopped cauliflower, shallots, cucumbers, green beans, and optional carrots, all pickled in a flavorful blend of apple cider vinegar, turmeric, mustard powder, and other aromatic spices. Perfect for adding zest to sandwiches, cold meats, and cheeses, this recipe allows the vegetables to soak and simmer before thickening the sauce with flour, resulting in a perfect balance of crunch and tang.


Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) cauliflower, chopped into small pieces
  • 6 ounces (170 grams) shallot, chopped small
  • 6 ounces (170 grams) cucumber, chopped small
  • 3 ounces (85 grams) green beans, chopped small
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped (optional)

Seasonings and Pickling

  • 1 ½ tablespoons salt
  • 5 cups (1 liter) apple cider vinegar
  • ⅔ cup (132 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1 ½ tablespoons mustard powder
  • 1 ½ tablespoons ground ginger
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Thickener

  • ½ cup (75 grams) all-purpose/plain flour


Instructions

  1. Salt Soak: Add all the chopped vegetables to a large bowl, cover them with water, and stir in 1 ½ tablespoons of salt. Cover the bowl with a towel and let the vegetables soak for 1 hour to soften and draw out moisture.
  2. Drain Vegetables: After 1 hour, drain the vegetables thoroughly to remove the salty water.
  3. Simmer Vegetables: Transfer the drained vegetables to a large saucepan. Add 5 cups of apple cider vinegar, ⅔ cup sugar, 2 teaspoons turmeric, 1 ½ tablespoons mustard powder, 1 ½ tablespoons ground ginger, and ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a simmer uncovered and cook for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the liquid has reduced slightly.
  4. Sterilize Jars: While the vegetables cook, sterilize your jars. Submerge a 1-liter (32-ounce) jar and its lid fully in boiling water for 10 minutes. Keep the jars hot until ready to fill.
  5. Thicken Pickle Sauce: Mix a little water with ½ cup flour to make a smooth paste. Stir this paste into the simmering vegetables to thicken the sauce. Continue simmering until the mixture thickens to a relish consistency.
  6. Fill and Seal Jars: Carefully fill the sterilized jars with the hot piccalilli, leaving a 1-inch headspace to allow for any liquid expansion. Seal the jars tightly to preserve freshness.
  7. Pickling Time: Allow the piccalilli to pickle for 3-4 weeks in a cool, dark place before consuming to develop full flavor. After opening, store in the refrigerator and consume within 1 week. Avoid long-term canning due to flour content which may go rancid.

Notes

  • Piccalilli is a distinctly colored mixed vegetable relish with a tangy, slightly spicy mustard sauce.
  • The use of flour as a thickener limits its suitability for long-term canning; refrigerate after opening.
  • Optional carrots can be added for extra texture and sweetness.
  • The pickling process takes 3-4 weeks, so plan ahead for best flavor development.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of the batch)
  • Calories: 183
  • Sugar: 11 grams
  • Sodium: 2032 milligrams
  • Fat: 1 gram
  • Saturated Fat: 0 grams
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1 gram
  • Trans Fat: 0 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 39 grams
  • Fiber: 7 grams
  • Protein: 8 grams
  • Cholesterol: 0 milligrams