Name: Homemade tomato relish recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 1 kg tomato; 1 kg onion; 1 1/2 cup white sugar; 2 cup apple cider vinegar; 2 tbs salt; 2 tbs mustard; 1 1/2 tbs curry powder; 2 tbs cornflour; 3 tbs water

by jmarinucci Last updated on 03/20/2025

If you have an abundance of tomatoes to use up, or they are super-cheap in-season tomatoes in the supermarket, dig out your preserving jars and whip up a batch of this tangy tomato relish. You can put it on almost anything savoury!

How to make homemade tomato relish: key tips

This recipe doesn’t require you to peel the tomatoes, which makes things a lot easier. You simply chop them, along with the onion, place it all in a saucepan with some vinegar and bring it to the boil.

Remember to continue to stir as you add the sugar, so that it incorporates and melts into the mixture and doesn’t settle and burn on the bottom of the pan.

Key ingredients in this homemade tomato relish recipe

Australia’s tomato season is from late summer to early winter. Of course, you can buy tomatoes all year round at the supermarket, but in-season tomatoes will always taste better and sweeter.

Curry and mustard powder give this relish a warming hint of spice. You could also add ½ tsp cayenne or ground chilli powder for an extra kick, if you like.

The cornflour slurry will help thicken your relish so that it doesn’t end up too watery.

Relish some more relishes? Our favourite relish recipes will have you bottling for months! Or perhaps you’d like to add some delicious chutney recipes to your repertoire…

This recipe was originally submitted by jmarinucci, a member of the Australia’s Best Recipe community. Introduction and additional recipe notes by Natasha Shaw.

- Australia's Best Recipes Team

Ingredients

1 kg tomato
1 kg onion
1 1/2 cup white sugar
2 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tbs salt
2 tbs mustard
1 1/2 tbs curry powder
2 tbs cornflour
3 tbs water

Method

Step 1

Chop tomatoes and onions, and place them in a saucepan with the vinegar. Bring to the boil, when boiling, reduce heat to simmer.
Step 2

Add the sugar gradually, mix well so it doesn't stick to the pan.
Step 3

Add the remaining ingredients and stir well.
Step 4

Continue to stir, making sure that the sugar doesn't settle on the bottom.
Step 5

When the mixture has thickened slightly, add the mixed cornflour and water, and stir until combined.
Step 6

Bottle relish while hot.

Recipe Notes

from Australia’s Best Recipes team

How do I fill the jars with homemade tomato relish?

Once you fill your jars with your hot relish, turn the jars upside down. This helps to create a firm vacuum seal by allowing any remaining air to escape. After leaving them like that for 30 minutes, turn them upright again. All of your lid ‘buttons’ should be depressed. If not, just press them down with your finger.

How can I tweak this homemade tomato relish?

There are a few things you can do, depending on your tastes. You can do what some of our ABR reviewers have done and increase the curry powder to 2 tbsp, plus add 1 tsp cayenne, use wholegrain mustard instead of mustard powder, and add fresh coriander, thyme, parsley for flavour.