Beetroot Relish
Grated raw beetroot simmered with onion, apple, sugar and red wine vinegar for 45 minutes into a bright, sweet-sharp relish. Sixteen servings of a spoonful in 1 hour 5 minutes.
How to Cook Beetroot Relish
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Put everything in a pan and bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
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Simmer on medium-low heat for 45 minutes, stirring often, until thick and glossy.
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Spoon into a clean jar and cool. Keep in the fridge.
Keep an Eye on These
- Wear gloves to grate the beetroot.
- Stir often as it thickens.
- If your hob runs hot, check at 35 minutes.
- Pot it slightly loose, as it sets on cooling.
A Little Background
Beetroot relish is the red slice in an Australian burger, and it works in a sandwich or on a cheeseboard as well. It is sweet, sharp and very simple.
Grate the raw beetroot coarsely so it cooks in the time. Grated onion and apple go in with it and melt away, leaving a soft, jammy mixture.
Wear gloves if you want to avoid stained hands. Beetroot juice stains skin, wood and plastic for days.
Simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring often. The relish is ready when the vinegar has mostly gone and the mixture holds a trail across the pan. If your hob runs hot, check at 35 minutes. It thickens as it cools, so spoon it into a clean jar while still a little looser than you want it. A spoonful on a hot burger with a fried egg and a slice of cheese turns it into the classic Australian version, and it also lifts a plain cheese sandwich.
To Go With It
Beef burgers · Goat cheese · Ham sandwiches · Cheese toasties
Storing Leftovers
Keeps in a clean jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Questions People Ask
How long does Beetroot Relish take to make?
About 1 hour 5 minutes in total — 20 minutes of preparation and 45 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 16.
What are the key tips for making Beetroot Relish?
Wear gloves to grate the beetroot. Stir often as it thickens. If your hob runs hot, check at 35 minutes. Pot it slightly loose, as it sets on cooling.
What should I serve with Beetroot Relish?
Beef burgers; Goat cheese; Ham sandwiches; Cheese toasties.
How should Beetroot Relish be stored?
Keeps in a clean jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Is Beetroot Relish suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb and keto. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
What's in a Serving
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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