Marry This Pioneer Woman Chow Chow Recipe is a tangy and crunchy recipe, which is made with green tomatoes and bell peppers. It’s a classic Southern relish, ready in about 4 hours, perfect for preserving summer vegetables.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Chow Chow Recipe Ingredients
- 12½ lbs green tomatoes, chopped
- 8 large onions, chopped
- 10 green bell peppers, chopped
- 3 tsp salt
- 6 green chile peppers, chopped
- 1 quart white vinegar
- 1¾ cups sugar
- ½ cup horseradish
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp allspice
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
How To Make Pioneer Woman Chow Chow Recipe
- Salt and Rest Vegetables: In a very large bowl or pot, combine the chopped green tomatoes, onions, and green bell peppers. Sprinkle with the salt, mix well, and let it stand overnight, or for at least 3 hours. This process draws out excess water from the vegetables.
- Drain the Vegetables: Drain the salted vegetables thoroughly in a colander, pressing gently to remove as much liquid as possible.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the drained vegetables to a large stockpot. Stir in the chopped green chile peppers, white vinegar, sugar, and horseradish.
- Add Spices: Place the cinnamon, allspice, and ground cloves onto a small square of cheesecloth and tie it securely with kitchen twine to create a spice sachet. Add the spice sachet to the pot.
- Cook the Chow Chow: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Jar and Seal: Remove the spice sachet. Carefully spoon the hot chow chow into sterilized jars, leaving about ½-inch of headspace. Seal the jars according to proper canning procedures.
Recipe Tips
- What kind of green tomatoes should I use? Use firm, unripe green tomatoes. Softer, more mature tomatoes will break down too much and result in a mushy relish.
- How can I adjust the heat level? The heat comes from the green chile peppers and the horseradish. For a milder chow chow, reduce the amount of chiles or use a milder variety. For more heat, add extra chiles.
- Can I use a different vinegar? Yes, apple cider vinegar is a great substitute for white vinegar and will add a slightly different, fruitier tang to the relish.
- Why do I need to salt the vegetables first? Salting the vegetables and letting them rest (a process called maceration) is crucial. It draws out excess water, which ensures your final relish is crunchy and not watery.
What To Serve With Chow Chow
Chow chow is a classic Southern condiment that adds a tangy, sweet crunch to many dishes:
- As a topping for hot dogs, burgers, or bratwurst
- Served alongside a bowl of pinto beans and cornbread
- Mixed into potato salad or deviled eggs
- As a relish for grilled chicken, pork, or fish
How To Store Chow Chow
Canning: When properly canned and sealed in sterilized jars, chow chow can be stored in a cool, dark pantry for up to one year. Refrigerating: Once a jar is opened, it should be stored in the refrigerator and will keep for several months.
Chow Chow Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 36 kcal
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Sodium: 250mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Do I have to use a cheesecloth for the spices?
Using a cheesecloth sachet makes it easy to remove the whole spices after cooking. If you don’t have cheesecloth, you can add the ground spices directly to the pot, but this may result in a slightly darker color and a more intense spice flavor in spots.
Can I reduce the amount of sugar?
The sugar in this recipe not only adds sweetness to balance the vinegar’s tang but also acts as a preservative. You can reduce it slightly, but be aware that this may affect the shelf life and the classic sweet-and-sour flavor profile.
What if I can’t find green tomatoes?
This recipe is specifically designed for unripe green tomatoes. Red, ripe tomatoes have a very different texture and moisture content and would not work as a substitute. Look for green tomatoes at farmers’ markets or in the produce section of well-stocked grocery stores, especially late in the summer season.
Pioneer Woman Chow Chow Recipe
Course: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings45
minutes15
minutes424
kcalA classic Southern-style tangy relish made with green tomatoes, onions, peppers, and warm spices.
Ingredients
12½ lbs green tomatoes, chopped
8 large onions, chopped
10 green bell peppers, chopped
3 tsp salt
6 green chile peppers, chopped
1 quart white vinegar
1¾ cups sugar
½ cup horseradish
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp allspice
¼ tsp ground cloves
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine chopped tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers with salt. Let stand for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Drain the vegetables thoroughly.
- In a large stockpot, combine the drained vegetables, chile peppers, vinegar, sugar, and horseradish.
- Place cinnamon, allspice, and cloves in a cheesecloth sachet and add to the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove the spice sachet and spoon the hot chow chow into sterilized jars, then seal.
Notes
- Firm Tomatoes: Use firm, unripe green tomatoes for the best crunchy texture.
- Control the Heat: Adjust the number of chile peppers to make the relish more or less spicy.
- Vinegar Choice: Apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute for white vinegar for a slightly different flavor.
- Serving Suggestion: This relish is a perfect topping for hot dogs, beans, or grilled meats.
