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This quick sweet and spicy cucumber relish is a refreshing little side that comes together in minutes. It’s bright, crunchy, lightly sweet, and just spicy enough thanks to Thai-style sweet chili sauce. Because it isn’t canned, you can make a small batch whenever you need it—perfect for topping grilled meats, sandwiches, tacos, or rice bowls.
With just a handful of chopped vegetables and a simple vinaigrette-style dressing, this relish adds instant flavor to any meal. It chills quickly, lasts for several days, and tastes even better after it rests for a little while in the fridge. It’s a great way to use up a single cucumber or a few stray vegetables.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Really fast. Just chop, mix, and chill—no cooking or canning involved.
Fresh flavor. Crisp vegetables and a tangy-sweet dressing brighten any meal.
Small-batch. Makes just enough for a few meals without extra jars or equipment.
Versatile. Delicious on grilled meats, sandwiches, tacos, or rice bowls.
Ingredient Notes
- Cucumber – Use a medium cucumber; English or Persian also work well.
- Tomato or red bell pepper – Adds color, sweetness, and juiciness.
- Red onion – Gives sharpness and crunch.
- Cilantro – Adds brightness; substitute parsley if preferred.
- Red wine vinegar – Provides tangy acidity.
- Sweet chili sauce – Brings sweetness, mild heat, and great flavor.
- Salt and pepper – Adjust to taste at the end.
Steps to Make Quick Sweet and Spicy Cucumber Relish
- Chop the cucumber, tomato or pepper, onion, and cilantro.
- Combine the vegetables in a bowl.
- Whisk the vinegar and sweet chili sauce in another small bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss well.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Dice evenly. Uniform pieces help the relish mix and coat evenly.
- Chill before serving. The flavor improves after 30 minutes of resting.
- Adjust heat. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you prefer more spice.
- Use firm cucumbers. Softer cucumbers can make the relish watery.
- Drain lightly if needed. If tomatoes release too much liquid, spoon off a bit before serving.
Recipe Variations
- Extra spicy. Add minced jalapeño or crushed red pepper.
- Herb swap. Use parsley, basil, or mint instead of cilantro.
- No tomato. Make it with cucumber, pepper, and onion only.
- Crunchy version. Add diced celery.
- Sweeter version. Stir in ½ teaspoon of sugar or honey.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve on grilled chicken, pork chops, or fish.
- Pair with tacos or wraps as a fresh topping.
- Add to rice bowls or grain salads.
- Garnish burgers, hot dogs, or sandwiches for extra crunch.
How to Store
Refrigerate the relish in an airtight jar or container for up to 3 days. Stir before serving, as the vegetables may release some liquid as they sit.
This relish is not suitable for freezing due to its high water content.
Quick Sweet and Spicy Cucumber Relish
Ingredients
- 1 medium cucumber, diced, about 1 cup
- 1 tsp kosher salt, for salting the cucumber
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper, seeded, diced
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp cilantro or parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce, Thai style
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Toss the diced cucumber with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and let stand for about 10 minutes. Drain well and gently squeeze out excess liquid.1 medium cucumber | 1 tsp kosher salt
- Combine the cucumber, tomato, red bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro or parsley in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar and sweet chili sauce. Toss with the vegetables and season with salt and pepper, to taste.1 medium tomato | 1 small red bell pepper | 1 small red onion | 2 tbsp cilantro or parsley | 2 tbsp red wine vinegar | 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce | Salt and pepper
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
