ISO: Heinz Red Hamburger Relish copycat recipe

ISO: Heinz Red Hamburger Relish copycat recipe

Heinz Red Hamburger Relish was made between about 1954 and 2006.
According to a 1954 newspaper article that I accessed online, the relish included the following ingredients:

-Sweet Pickles
-Chili Sauce (most likely the Heinz variety, what else?)
-onions
-green (bell) peppers
-red (bell) peppers
-a spicing taste between sweet and sour

The article didn’t mention what spices were included in the relish.
It’s been years since I last tasted Heinz red hamburger relish so it’s hard to remember it’s exact taste.

Does anyone have a recipe for a homemade red hamburger relish that they like?

I searched and found a couple of recipes that make a red relish. I’ll have to try these out.

Wimpy’s Delight Hamburger Relish

Servings: Seven - 1/2 pint jars

2 sticks (2 to 3 Inches each) cinnamon, broken up
2 teaspoons whole cloves, slightly bruised
2 teaspoons whole allspice, bruised
1 quart cider vinegar
4 cups coarsely chopped peeled and seeded tomatoes (about 6 large)
2 cups white granulated sugar
4 teaspoons mustard seed
1/4 teaspoon ground hot red (Cayenne) pepper
4 cups chopped unpeeled firm cucumbers (do not use waxed cucumbers)
1 1/2 cups chopped cored and seeded sweet red peppers
1 1/2 cups chopped cored and seeded sweet green peppers
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onions
1 1/2 tablespoons turmeric
1/2 cup pickling or other non-iodized salt
2 quarts water

Tie the cinnamon, cloves and allspice loosely in a square of cheesecloth.
Combine vinegar with the bag of spices in a non-aluminum pan. Bring the
vinegar to boiling, adjust the heat and simmer it, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, bring the mixture to a boil, then adjust the heat and
simmer the mixture, partly covered, until it resembles a puree, about
30 minutes. Add the sugar, mustard seed, and ground hot red pepper.
Pour the mixture into a bowl, cool and cover it, and let stand overnight
at room temperature.

Meanwhile, combine the cucumbers, red and green peppers, celery, and
onion in a ceramic or stainless-steel bowl. Sprinkle the turmeric and salt over
the vegetables, then add the 2 quarts of water. Stir the mixture, cover it,
and refrigerate overnight. Wash 7 half-pint jars. Keep hot until needed.
Prepare lids as manufacturer directs. Drain the liquid from the salted
vegetables and replace it with enough fresh cold water to cover them;
let the vegetables soak for 1 hour, then drain them in a colander, pressing
lightly. Return the vinegar/tomato mixture to pot and bring it to a boil over
medium-high heat.

Add the drained vegetables, then return the relish to a full boil, stirring
frequently, and cook it, uncovered, over high heat, for 5 minutes. Removethe
relish from the heat. Remove the spice bag from the relish; squeeze out all
possible liquid from the bag into the pot, then discard the bag. Ladle the hot
relish into 1 hot jar at a time, leaving 1/2-inch head space. Wipe rim with
a clean damp cloth. Attach lid. Fill and close remaining jars. Process jars
in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes. Yields 7 half-pints.

Source: Fancy Pantry by Helen Witty, reprinted in
the Eugene Register-Guard newspaper, Sep 25, 1996

Old-Fashioned Red Hamburger Relish

This is similar to the “red relish” once sold under the
Knott’s Berry Farm and Heinz labels.

Servings: Four - 1/2 pint jars

2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and chopped (about 2 cups)
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 medium sweet green pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
1 medium sweet red or yellow pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 tablespoons kosher salt or 1 tablespoon pickling or non-iodized salt
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
3 cups cold water
1 cinnamon stick
12 whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (optional)
2 cups cider vinegar
4 medium-size ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped (about 2 cups)
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons mustard seeds

  1. In a large enamel or stainless steel bowl, mix the cucumbers, onion,
    peppers, celery, salt, turmeric, and water. Let stand for 12 hours or
    overnight, then drain in a strainer, lightly pressing out any excess liquid.
    Set aside.

  2. Tie up cinnamon, cloves, and allspice in a piece of cheesecloth.
    In a large, heavy, enamel or stainless steel saucepan, bring the spices
    and vinegar to a boil over moderate heat. Reduce the heat to low and
    simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

  3. Add the tomatoes, increase the heat to moderate, and bring the mixture
    to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, partially covered, until the
    tomatoes resemble a puree - about 30 minutes. Add the sugar and mustard
    seeds, cover, and let stand overnight at room temperature.

  4. Add the drained vegetables to the tomato mixture and bring to a boil over
    moderately high heat. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered,
    until most of the liquid has evaporated - 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the spice bag.

  5. Ladle into 4 hot, sterilized, 1/2 pint preserving jars, leaving 1/2 inch of
    head space. Wipe the jar rims clean, seal, and process in a boiling water
    bath for 10 minutes. Label, then let the relish mellow in a cool dry place for
    at least 3 weeks before using. Will keep for up to 1 year. Refrigerate after opening.

Recipe Source: “Cook Now, Serve Later” from Reader’s Digest