Zesty Bread & Butter Pepper Relish: The Crowd-Pleasing Condiment You Need to Make

"I get asked to bring these to all gatherings! Very versatile — tacos, burgers, roasts, chicken, and more!"

Homemade Zesty Bread & Butter Pepper Relish — a colorful, versatile condiment 🌶️

"If you don't know about these I thought I would share. Use Mrs. Wages ZESTY bread and butter pickle mix, prepare as directed but instead of pickles use tri colored sweet peppers and add jalapeños to suit your taste. Water bath per directions. I get asked to bring these to all gatherings! We use them on tacos, burgers, roasts and mixed in with chicken. Very versatile!"

There are some recipes that become legendary among friends and family — the kind that people request for every gathering, the kind that disappear first at potlucks. This Zesty Bread & Butter Pepper Relish is exactly that. It's a simple twist on a classic pickling mix that transforms ordinary sweet peppers into something truly extraordinary.

The secret? Instead of cucumbers, you'll use tri-colored sweet peppers (red, yellow, and orange) with optional jalapeños for heat. The Mrs. Wages Zesty Bread & Butter Pickle mix does all the heavy lifting — just prepare as directed, swap the vegetables, and water bath can. The result is a crisp, sweet, tangy, slightly spicy relish that elevates everything it touches.

🌶️ Why this recipe works: The bread and butter brine was designed for crisp vegetables — and peppers absorb that sweet-tangy flavor beautifully while staying crunchy.

📌 In This Article

📝 Full Recipe 🌮 10+ Ways to Use ✨ Pro Tips ❓ FAQs

🌶️ Zesty Bread & Butter Pepper Relish Recipe

Yield: Approximately 4-6 pint jars (varies by pepper quantity) | Prep time: 30 minutes | Processing time: 10-15 minutes (follow Mrs. Wages instructions)

🏆 "I get asked to bring these to all gatherings!" — This recipe will make you the most popular person at every potluck, BBQ, and family dinner.

📦 Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount
Mrs. Wages Zesty Bread & Butter Pickle Mix

(or any bread & butter mix)1 packet (follow package instructions) Tri-colored sweet peppers (red, yellow, orange)Enough to fill your jars (about 3-4 lbs) Jalapeños (optional, for heat)To taste (2-6 peppers depending on spice preference) WaterAs directed on pickle mix package Vinegar (usually white or cider vinegar)As directed on pickle mix package

🥫 Equipment Needed

• Water bath canner or large stockpot with rack
• Sterilized pint or half-pint jars with lids and rings
• Large non-reactive pot (stainless steel or enamel)
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Jar lifter and canning funnel
• Magnetic lid lifter

📝 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 – Prepare the Peppers

Wash all peppers thoroughly. Remove stems and seeds. Slice the tri-colored sweet peppers into thin rings or strips (about ¼ inch thick). If using jalapeños, slice them into thin rings as well — remove seeds for less heat, leave seeds for more spice.

Step 2 – Prepare the Brine

According to the Mrs. Wages Zesty Bread & Butter Pickle Mix package, combine the mix with water and vinegar in a large pot. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve.

Step 3 – Combine Peppers and Brine

Add the sliced tri-colored peppers and jalapeños to the boiling brine. Return to a boil, then remove from heat.

Step 4 – Pack the Jars

Using a canning funnel, pack the pepper mixture tightly into sterilized jars. Leave ½ inch headspace. Ladle hot brine over the peppers, maintaining ½ inch headspace. Remove air bubbles with a chopstick or bubble remover.

Step 5 – Water Bath Can

Wipe jar rims clean with a damp cloth. Apply lids and rings fingertip-tight. Process jars in a water bath canner according to the Mrs. Wages package instructions (typically 10-15 minutes, adjusting for altitude).

Step 6 – Cool and Store

Remove jars from canner and place on a towel-lined counter. Let cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Check seals (lids should not flex), label with date, and store in a cool, dark place.

✅ First batch tip: "The leftover juice makes an awesome bloody mary mix or use the juice when making a roast!" Don't throw away that flavorful brine — it's liquid gold.

🌮 10+ Ways to Use Your Zesty Pepper Relish

🌮

Tacos
Top any taco

🍔

Burgers
On beef, turkey, or veggie

🥩

Roasts
Alongside or mixed in

🍗

Chicken
Mixed in or on top

🌭

Hot Dogs
Better than relish

🥗

Salads
Adds crunch & flavor

🧀

Cheese Boards
With cream cheese

🍳

Eggs
On scrambled or omelets

🍹 Bonus Use: "The leftover juice makes an awesome bloody mary mix or use the juice when making a roast!" — The brine is packed with flavor. Add a splash to bloody marys, braises, marinades, or deglaze pans with it.

✨ Pro Tips for Perfect Pepper Relish

• Use a mandoline for perfectly even pepper slices — this ensures consistent texture and packing.
• Mix up the colors — red, yellow, and orange peppers make the finished jars look like jewel-toned confetti.
• Control your heat — jalapeños vary in spiciness. Taste a small piece first! Remove seeds and membranes for milder heat.
• Don't over-process — follow the Mrs. Wages instructions exactly. Over-processing can make peppers mushy.
• Let them cure — like pickles, these relish improves after 2-3 weeks of "curing" in the jar.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Any bread & butter pickle mix will work. The maker specifically uses Mrs. Wages Zesty variety, but regular bread & butter works too. For a different flavor profile, try sweet pickle mix or spicy pickle mix.

Properly canned and stored in a cool, dark place, this pepper relish lasts 12-18 months. Once opened, refrigerate and use within 2-3 months.

You can, but the tri-colored peppers (red, yellow, orange) are sweeter and more colorful. Green peppers are more bitter. If using green, consider adding a bit more sugar.

So many things! Use it as a bloody mary mix base, add to pot roasts for flavor, deglaze pans after cooking meat, mix into potato salad or coleslaw, or use as a marinade for chicken or pork. The sweet-tangy-spicy brine is incredibly versatile.

Absolutely! Prepare the peppers and brine, then refrigerate in an airtight container. This "refrigerator" version will last 2-3 weeks. It won't be shelf-stable, but it's perfect for small batches.

📄 Printable Recipe Card

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║         ZESTY BREAD & BUTTER PEPPER RELISH                   ║
║      "I get asked to bring these to all gatherings!"         ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

Yield: 4-6 pint jars

INGREDIENTS:
- 1 packet Mrs. Wages Zesty Bread & Butter Pickle Mix
- Tri-colored sweet peppers (red, yellow, orange)
- Jalapeños to taste (optional)
- Water & vinegar (as directed on mix)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Slice peppers into thin rings.
2. Prepare pickle mix according to package.
3. Add peppers to boiling brine.
4. Pack into sterilized jars with ½" headspace.
5. Water bath can per mix instructions.
6. Cool, label, and store.

HOW TO USE:
- Tacos, burgers, roasts, chicken
- Hot dogs, salads, cheese boards, eggs
- Bloody Marys, pot roasts

FROM THE MAKER:
"The leftover juice makes an awesome bloody 
mary mix or use the juice when making a roast!"
    

🌶️ Ready to Make This Crowd-Pleasing Relish?

Find Mrs. Wages pickle mix, canning supplies, and glass jars for your homemade pepper relish.

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⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on pickle mix packages. Follow safe canning guidelines from the USDA or National Center for Home Food Preservation. Adjust processing times for your altitude.