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    Home » Condiments

    Tomato and Onion Chutney (Granny's Relish)

    Published: Sep 21, 2023 · Modified: Nov 13, 2023 by Louise-Claire Cayzer · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 17 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This gorgeous old fashioned Tomato and Onion Chutney is sweet, tangy and spicy. Made with rich ripe tomatoes and loads of onions, it's the perfect gift for someone who loves food for Christmas, or to make as a condiment to share all year round.

    Tomato and Onion Chutney in jars with a cheese board. this recipe

    This Tomato and Onion Chutney recipe is my Granny's recipe which she wrote down for me some years ago. Our family called this recipe Granny's Tomato Relish, but in truth it's more like a chutney. It was a mark of being a true grown up when she gave you a jar of your own to take home. The joy of opening a jar to slather onto a piece of toast with some cheese to top it off was unparalleled.

    Granny had lots of hints and tips that she gave me when I made it with her, so I've tried to pass them all on here, because this recipe is too delicious not to share! If you want a similar recipe that uses green tomatoes, try my Green Tomato and Chilli Chutney which is perfect for end-of-season produce. Or if you've still got loads of ripe tomatoes to use up, why not try this Homemade Tomato Ketchup without Onion and Garlic recipe- it's perfect for burgers and sandwiches. And of course, if you want the perfect hostess gift, you can't go past wrapping this chutney up with some of my Granny's Savory Cheese Cookies!

    Jump to:
    • 🍅Ingredients
    • 👩‍🍳Instructions
    • 🌶️Substitutions & Variations
    • 🔪Equipment
    • 🥫Storage
    • ❗Top tip
    • ❓FAQ
    • You can never have too many condiments:
    • What to put with your chutney!
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍅Ingredients

    Ingredients for the onion and tomato chutney laid out.
    • Ripe Tomatoes- This recipe works best with really ripe tomatoes. You can choose almost 'too' ripe tomatoes (we used to sometimes get a farmers stand box of overripe tomatoes cheaply just to make this recipe)
    • Onions- White onions that have a bit of a kick are best.
    • Sugar- any old white cane sugar is fine.
    • Vinegar- Granny's recipe says 'brown vinegar'. I used malt vinegar this time.
    • Salt- Ordinary sea salt.
    • Curry Powder- Granny used old fashioned curry powder, however I used garam masala instead. It's richer in flavor and works perfectly in this chutney. Given that back in the depths of time this probably would have been an English take on an Indian recipe, it feels appropriate.
    • Mustard Powder: Definitely choose mustard powder over mustard. It has a different kick to it. In the UK I use Coleman's Mustard, but in Australia (where I'm from and my Granny was making this originally) we used Keen's.

    See recipe card for quantities and the substitutions section below for alternative ingredients.

    👩‍🍳Instructions

    Follow along with the steps for making this Tomato Onion Chutney.

    The easy way to remove skin from tomatoes is to score a cross in the skin, then dunk in boiling water.
    1. Score the tomatoes on the base.
    2. Boil some water and dunk all the tomatoes in the hot water.
    Showing how to peel tomatoes for the chutney.

    3. The skin will now slip off the tomatoes easily.

    4. Roughly chop the tomatoes, sprinkle over a little salt and rest for at least 1 ½ hours in a colander to drain out some of the liquid.

    Draining the excess liquid from the onions and tomatoes.

    5. Finely chop the onions, sprinkle with salt and rest in a colander to remove the liquid.

    6. In a large saucepan add the tomatoes and onions and barely cover with the vinegar. Bring to the boil and add the sugar.

    Mixing the mustard and curry powder then stirring into the chutney.

    7. Mix together the mustard and curry powder with a little cold vinegar into paste and add into the chutney saucepan.

    8. Simmer for 1 hour until the tomatoes break down and the chutney is thickened.

    Put the chutney into clean sterilized jars.

    9. Sterilize jam jars or mason jars and pour in the chutney.

    Sealing up the jars of Tomato Onion Chutney.

    10. Seal the lids tightly and allow to cool before labelling.

    Hint: This Tomato and Onion Chutney recipe tastes even better if you can leave it a few weeks for the flavours to develop (if you can wait that long to try it!)

    🌶️Substitutions & Variations

    1. Vinegar: Choose apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar in place of the specified brown/malt vinegar.
    2. Sugar: brown sugar works as well as white sugar. I do not suggest using any sugar free sugar substitutes or syrups (such as date or maple syrup)

    🔪Equipment

    To make this chutney recipe you will need a big saucepan and 6 (or maybe 7) x 250 ml/8.5 oz jars. *I filled 6 jam jars and had enough left over for a half jar, which I decided was to be the cooks treat.

    Jar of tomato chutney with cheese and crackers.

    🥫Storage

    The vinegar and sugar content in this chutney ensures that once it has been boiled and sealed in sterilized jars, it can last for up to a year, or even longer unopened. Once opened, keep in the fridge and use within 2 weeks. (Don't stick your dirty butter knife in there and it might last longer!)

    ❗Top tip

    To sterilize the jars to use them, put them on a high heat through the dishwasher or wash them and dry in a cool oven. Be sure not to touch the inside of the jars or the jar lids and to seal them up tightly.

    ❓FAQ

    Why is my tomato chutney watery?

    Watery chutney occurs when the chutney has not been cooked down enough. To remedy this, simmer it for longer until the liquid evaporates. You can speed this process up by cooking it in a wide pan.

    What is the difference between a relish and a chutney?

    Relish and Chutney are similar , however relish tends to be more of a fresh or lightly pickled condiment. Chutney tends to have fruit or vegetables simmered in vinegar and sugar for some time until it reduces.

    You can never have too many condiments:

    Pesto, Mayo and all kinds of sauces, all are perfect for enhancing your meals.

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    What to put with your chutney!

    Here are some great recipes to slather this chutney on:

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    If you love this recipe, please share this post with your friends on Pinterest or Facebook, or tag me on Insta! Don't forget to also please comment and star ⭐this recipe too!

    Love & Vegan Yummies, Louise xx (P.S. Follow me on Insta and Tik Tok!)

    📖 Recipe

    Tomato and onion chutney with cheese and crackers.

    Tomato and Onion Chutney (Granny's Relish)

    Louise-Claire Cayzer
    A sweet and spicy tomato and onion relish that is perfect for spreading on crackers to have with cheese. Makes a great Christmas or thank you gift. Yields 6 x 250ml/8oz jars.
    4.72 from 7 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Draining Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 3 hours hrs
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine Australian, british
    Servings 150 servings
    Calories 14 kcal

    Equipment

    • 6 250 ml jam jars or mason jars.

    Ingredients Note:

    For accuracy, I measure all ingredients in metric as standard, then convert and test the recipe for American cup measurements etc.

    (Heads up Aussie and UK readers- your measurements in cups are sometimes different, so please use metric or check you have the correct cup and spoon type!!)

    Ingredients

    • 1500 g (3 lb) Ripe Tomatoes
    • 500 g (1 lb) White Onion
    • 375 g (⅚ lb) Sugar
    • 17 g (1 tablespoon) Salt
    • 10 g (1 ½ tablespoon) Mustard Powder
    • 7 g (1 tablespoon) Curry Powder (or garam masala)
    • 500 ml (2 cups) Vinegar (malt/brown or apple cider )

    Instructions

    • Using a sharp knife, score a small cross in the base of each tomato.
    • Boil some water and cover the tomatoes. The skins should now slip off easily.
    • Skin the tomatoes and roughly chop them and sprinkle over a little salt. Put them into a colander and leave to drain out their liquid for 1 ½ hours.
      1500 g Ripe Tomatoes
    • Peel and finely chop the onions.
      500 g White Onion
    • Sprinkle salt over the onions and put into a colander and leave to drain out their liquid for for 1 ½ hours.
    • Add the tomatoes and onions to a large pan. Just barely cover them with vinegar (leave yourself a tablespoon for the next step).
    • Bring the tomatoes, onion and vinegar to a simmer and add the sugar and what is left of the salt.
      1500 g Ripe Tomatoes, 500 g White Onion, 500 ml Vinegar, 375 g Sugar
    • In a small bowl, mix up the curry powder and mustard powder with the tablespoon of cold vinegar you saved.
      10 g Mustard Powder, 7 g Curry Powder, 17 g Salt
    • Add the curry/mustard mixture to the chutney.
    • Simmer for 1 hour until the chutney is reduced and slightly sticky.
    • Sterlize jars by washing them in hot water and putting into a low oven to dry out OR by putting them through a hot dishwasher.
    • Once the chutney is reduced, let it cool so you can handle it.
    • Add the chutney to the jars and screw the lids on tight. Label the jars and leave to mature for a few weeks (optional but the chutney tastes better)

    Video

    Notes

    Yields 6 x 250ml/8oz jars with roughly 25 servings per jar.  
    You might have a little left over, so put it in an airtight container and use that first. 
    We used to make double or triple (or more) of this recipe when cooking it with Granny. Be sure to have enough jars to take it all if you decide to do that! It also might take longer to cook down, so adjust the cook time accordingly. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 10gCalories: 14kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 45mgPotassium: 30mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 84IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe and loved it? Follow and Mention @vegan_larder or comment and ⭐ below

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.72 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    1. Leila says

      February 08, 2025 at 8:13 am

      5 stars
      Chutney is simmering as I'm writing this... I've added some garlic and chillies to suit my family's love for spicier things - and they're already raving about it! It's definitely only going to get better after a few weeks!!

      Reply
    2. Colin says

      January 28, 2025 at 6:16 am

      4 stars
      I think I might have used too much vinegar. It's very tasty but also very sharp. Is there anything I can add to cut the vinegariness?
      Colin.

      Reply
      • Louise-Claire Cayzer says

        January 28, 2025 at 6:42 pm

        I would try adding a tablespoon more sugar and a little salt to help balance the flavours. Sometimes tomatoes aren't as sweet so need a little help. It should be sweet and tangy rather than sharp.

        Reply
    3. Nat says

      January 15, 2025 at 3:20 am

      How long does this last for after opening in the fridge?

      Reply
      • Louise-Claire Cayzer says

        January 15, 2025 at 10:18 am

        I generally say about 2 weeks, but I have eaten it when it's been stored for 3-4 weeks without any ill effects. Try not to get a dirty knife in it! I also tend to pack it into smaller jars so it gets used quickly.

        Reply
    4. Virginia W says

      December 01, 2024 at 6:43 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe, I actually cut tomatoes in 6 pieces and put on baking paper on a tray in the over for 20 minutes on 200c and then pulled the skin off this way, it also drained the liquid out of the tomatoes - 1.1 kgs of tomatoes I got 260mls of juice sitting in tray, chutney/relish boiled up quite thick, instead of vinegar I used easy sauce but put a bit too much in it, its ok, extra clovey though and added more curry powder than recipe stated.overall 1000% better than store purchased and cheap to make when tomatoes are cheap

      Reply
      • Louise-Claire Cayzer says

        December 01, 2024 at 3:51 pm

        I'm so happy you liked the recipe and it worked out well for you. What a great tip for removing the skin from the tomatoes and draining at the same time.

        Reply
    5. Kate says

      November 09, 2024 at 6:47 am

      4 stars
      This has fabulous flavour but makes a really runny relish/chutney. I hope it will thicken in the jar. But currently a runny chunky sauce consistency. I simmered it longer to try and reduce more. Did a triple the recipe and even did less vinegar as I used the “just cover the mix” as a guide for volume.

      Reply
      • Louise-Claire Cayzer says

        November 10, 2024 at 10:52 am

        Thank you for your feedback. Tomatoes, especially ripe tomatoes, really vary in how much liquid they give off, even after you have drained them, so sometimes I've ended up with a too-runny consistency. When that happens I've returned it all to the pot and re-simmered until reduced. It can take a while to get to the desired consistency.

        Reply
    6. Ellie says

      September 16, 2024 at 11:30 am

      Can you use a combo of varieties and do you need to peel

      Reply
      • Louise-Claire Cayzer says

        September 16, 2024 at 12:02 pm

        HI Ellie,
        Absolutely you can use a combo of varieties. I use whatever is growing in my garden, or cheap at the market.
        I do suggest peeling them, as otherwise you get bits of peel in the chutney which isn't as nice to spread, but if you don't it won't affect the flavor (so it's up to you)
        NB; even if you don't peel them, You do need to chop and leave the tomatoes in a colander to release their juices, otherwise you'll have very watery chutney.

        Reply
    7. R says

      August 20, 2024 at 5:47 pm

      Hi, has this recipe been tested for its safeness for canning? If not I will just make it and eat it fresh!

      Reply
      • Louise-Claire Cayzer says

        August 21, 2024 at 9:37 am

        Yes this recipe is 100% safe for canning. It combines vinegar, salt and sugar- all of which are preservatives, even without canning in a water bath the chutney is good for up to a year. Make sure your jars are clean and dry before adding the hot chutney and sealing the jars. Keep in a cool dark place. Once opened, keep in the refrigerator.

        Reply
    8. Emma says

      July 30, 2024 at 3:23 am

      5 stars
      The absolute best tomato and onion chutney/relish recipe! Everyone who tastes it loves it and I am constantly asked for jars of this stuff. About to make my third batch and I always double the quantity. Awesome!

      Reply
      • Louise-Claire Cayzer says

        August 01, 2024 at 9:13 am

        I'm SO happy you like the chutney recipe and it's being passed around- just like my Granny loved to do!

        Reply
    9. Amy says

      July 03, 2024 at 5:55 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for the easy to follow instructions! I'll be giving away some jars for gifts.

      Reply
      • Louise-Claire Cayzer says

        July 03, 2024 at 7:14 pm

        It makes such a good gift! I promise your loved ones will ask for you to make it again!

        Reply

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    Hi! I'm Louise-Claire! I believe vegan and plant-based food should be easy to make, never scary and above all, absolutely delicious. Also, it's for everyone, not just for vegans!

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