Homemade Tomato & Chilli Relish
What better way to finish off a paleo burger, than with a generous serving of homemade relish? This relish is tomato and chilli – but unlike most relish recipes, I've used medjool dates instead of sugar to add some sweetness.
If you like your relish hot, add some more chillies to your mixture. This Tomato & Chilli Relish is perfect for adding a spicy kick to your meals while keeping it Paleo.
Recipe: Tomato & Chilli Relish
Equipment
- Pan
Ingredients
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 white onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic finely diced
- 1/2 eggplant aubergine
- 3 medjool dates diced
- 80 ml red wine vinegar
- 4 chillies chopped (try a mixture of red and green)
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
- 250 g cherry tomatoes
- celtic sea salt & ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: First, heat the olive oil in a pan over a low heat.
- Cook the Aromatics: Next, add the diced onion and garlic to the pan. Fry until they start to turn soft and translucent.
- Add the Eggplant and Dates: Then, add in the diced eggplant and medjool dates. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add the Vinegar: Pour in the red wine vinegar and reduce the temperature to a simmer. Simmer until the liquid has reduced to approximately half its original volume.
- Add the Remaining Ingredients: Add in the chopped chillies, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and cherry tomatoes. Reduce the heat to a low setting and stir regularly.
- Simmer: Allow the mixture to simmer for about half an hour, stirring occasionally.
- Season and Cool: Finally, season with Celtic sea salt and ground black pepper to taste. Remove from the heat and allow the relish to cool before serving.
Why Make Your Own Paleo-Friendly Relish?
Store-bought relishes are often packed with refined sugars, preservatives, and mysterious ingredients that have no place in a Paleo lifestyle. Creating your own Tomato & Chilli Relish gives you full control over what goes into your food. It’s a simple recipe, but the result is full of robust flavour – sweet, tangy, spicy, and completely natural.
Using medjool dates instead of sugar is a game-changer. They add natural sweetness and a depth of flavour that processed sugar simply can't replicate. Dates also bring a subtle caramel richness and are a great source of dietary fibre, potassium, and antioxidants.
The Perfect Burger Companion
This relish is the ultimate companion for a juicy Paleo burger. Whether you’re making beef, lamb, chicken, or even a veggie-based patty, the richness of the tomato combined with the mild heat from the chillies will take your burger to a whole new level. The relish adds moisture and flavour to every bite without overpowering the main ingredients.
Try it on top of a sweet potato bison burger or pair it with a bunless lamb burger, and you’ll see just how versatile this condiment can be.
Ingredients You Can Trust
The key to a great relish is starting with quality ingredients. Here’s what makes this recipe stand out:
- Fresh tomatoes: Ripe, juicy tomatoes form the heart of this relish. Use organic if you can, and opt for roma or truss tomatoes for deeper flavour.
- Chillies: Choose red chillies for both colour and heat. Adjust the quantity based on your spice preference.
- Medjool dates: These natural sweeteners balance the acidity of the tomatoes and the spice from the chillies beautifully.
- Garlic and onion: Essential for depth and savoury richness.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds a touch of tang and helps preserve the relish naturally.
Every ingredient in this recipe is Paleo-compliant and unprocessed, supporting a clean eating approach that doesn’t compromise on taste.
How to Customise the Heat Level
Spice tolerance varies widely from person to person. The great thing about this relish is that it’s easy to adjust. If you like it mild, reduce the number of chillies or remove the seeds. If you love heat, keep the seeds in and consider adding a pinch of cayenne or a hotter variety of chilli like bird’s eye or habanero.
You can also add a teaspoon of smoked paprika for a deeper, more earthy heat that complements grilled meats beautifully.
Versatile Ways to Use Tomato & Chilli Relish
Once you’ve made a jar of this relish, you’ll find endless ways to enjoy it:
- As a topping for burgers, grilled meats, or sausages
- Served alongside scrambled eggs or an omelette
- As a dip for sweet potato wedges or vegetable sticks
- Spread on Paleo crackers or lettuce wraps
- Swirled through cauliflower rice or mash for added flavour
This relish can also be stirred into soups or stews for a kick of flavour, or even used as a marinade base when mixed with olive oil and lemon juice.
How to Store Your Homemade Relish
Once cooled, this relish can be stored in a clean, sterilised glass jar in the fridge for up to two weeks. If you’d like to keep it longer, consider freezing it in small batches using silicone ice cube trays or freezer-safe jars. That way, you always have a flavour booster ready to go.
Be sure to use a clean spoon each time to prevent contamination and maximise shelf life. As there are no artificial preservatives in this recipe, proper storage is key.
Make It in Batches
This recipe is easy to scale up. Make a larger batch and store some jars for later or share them as thoughtful, homemade gifts. A jar of Paleo-friendly Tomato & Chilli Relish tied with a piece of twine and a handwritten label makes a charming and practical present for foodies and health-conscious friends alike.
Health Benefits of the Key Ingredients
- Tomatoes: Rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that supports heart health and reduces inflammation.
- Chillies: Contain capsaicin, known for its metabolism-boosting and pain-relief properties.
- Medjool dates: Provide fibre, minerals, and a natural source of energy without spiking blood sugar as rapidly as refined sugars.
- Garlic: Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and a supporter of immune function.
- Apple cider vinegar: Aids digestion and helps balance blood sugar levels.
Batch Cooking Tip: Use in Meal Prep
If you like to batch cook your meals for the week, this relish will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. Make a few jars at once and use it to add flavour to your proteins, vegetables, and lunchboxes. It’s especially handy when time is short, and you want to elevate simple meals without fuss.
A Delicious Way to Avoid Hidden Sugars
Creating this Tomato & Chilli Relish is a fantastic way to enjoy a spicy and slightly sweet condiment that fits perfectly into a Paleo lifestyle. The combination of fresh tomatoes, chillies, and medjool dates creates a rich and flavourful relish that enhances any dish.
Many relishes on the market contain high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and gums. This version skips all of that and instead focuses on natural sweetness and bold, clean flavours. It’s proof that you don’t need additives to make something taste amazing.
Final Thoughts
This relish is versatile and can be used as a topping for burgers, a dip for vegetables, or even a spread for sandwiches. It's a healthy and delicious alternative to store-bought relishes, packed with natural ingredients and no added sugars.
I hope you enjoy making and eating this Tomato & Chilli Relish. For more creative and healthy Paleo recipes, be sure to explore my blog. I’d love to hear your thoughts and any variations you made to the recipe, so please share in the comments below. Happy cooking and enjoy your relish!
