Some relishes break all the rules. You’ll find corn relish (made from sweet corn, obviously), zucchini relish, and even mango relish for a tropical twist. Yes, people are out there relish-ing mangoes.
Then there’s the infamous hamburger relish, which is basically relish that’s angsty about its identity. It’s chunkier and less sweet, designed to stand up to a beef patty without crying.
How to Read the Label
If you want to know exactly what’s in your jar, flip it over and squint at the ingredients list. The first thing listed is usually cucumbers, followed by vinegar, sugar, and spices. If you see “natural flavors,” it’s a code word for “we’re not telling you our secret dance.”
Pro tip: avoid jars that list high fructose corn syrup as the second ingredient. That’s not relish—it’s a sugar bomb in disguise. Your hot dog deserves better.
