Summer Corn Relish: The Ultimate Hot Dog Topping for Picnics

Summer is the season for outdoor dining, and what better way to enjoy the warm weather than with picnics, barbecues, and dinners al fresco? Summer entertaining should be easy and carefree, mirroring the sunny days. One dish that I find myself making repeatedly, with slight variations, is my super easy and delicious Summer Corn Relish. It’s the perfect way to add a burst of fresh flavor to any summer meal, especially as a topping for grilled hot dogs!

Recently, my kids and I planned a day trip to Hood River, Oregon, about an hour from Portland, with some friends to celebrate the arrival of summer. What could be a better way to kick off summer break than with a fun-filled day trip and a delightful picnic in the picturesque landscape of the Columbia River Gorge?

To enhance the festive picnic atmosphere, I prepared some water bottles with my free printable summer water bottle labels, which I shared earlier this week. We also packed a delicious picnic lunch that featured Hebrew National All-Beef Franks as the star of the show.

My children don’t often eat hot dogs, so when they do, I want to ensure that we choose the best quality available. Hebrew National All-Beef Franks are made with premium cuts of 100% kosher beef. They are also gluten-free and contain no fillers, artificial flavors, colors, or by-products. The added bonus is that they taste absolutely fantastic, making them a hit with both kids and adults!

While you can certainly use a regular outdoor grill for cooking the hot dogs, I opted for convenience on the morning of our day trip. I cooked the hot dogs on an indoor grill pan, placed them in hot dog buns, and wrapped them individually in foil. These were then carefully arranged in an insulated cooler bag to keep them warm. Preparing hot dogs this way ensures that they remain warm and enjoyable for several hours. However, be sure to hold off on adding any toppings until you’re ready to eat. Adding toppings beforehand can lead to soggy buns during transport, and no one enjoys a soggy bun!

Crafting the Perfect Summer Corn Relish

This bright and flavorful summer corn relish is incredibly quick to make, coming together in just about 10-12 minutes. It elevates your hot dog experience beyond the standard mustard or ketchup. The relish adds a delightful burst of flavor and an extra serving of vegetables to your meal, which is always a welcome addition in my book!

I prepared the corn relish while the hot dogs were grilling. Once finished, I removed it from the heat and allowed it to cool in a separate plate or bowl. After the relish had cooled sufficiently, I transferred it to an airtight container and placed it in the insulated cooler bag alongside the hot dogs, ensuring that everything stayed fresh and ready to enjoy.

Our picnic was a resounding success, despite the windy conditions at the Columbia River Gorge. The combination of Hebrew National All-Beef Franks and the fresh, flavorful Summer Corn Relish was a truly satisfying way to celebrate the joys of summer!

*Please note: Some topping combinations may not adhere to kosher dietary guidelines.

Summer Corn Relish Recipe

Summer Corn Relish Recipe

Prep Time:

15
minutes

mins

Cook Time:

15
minutes

mins

Total Time:

30
minutes

mins

Servings:

4
servings

Level up your hot dogs with this delicious fresh corn relish.

Ingredients 

• 2
  tablespoons
  olive oil
• 2
  cups
  corn,
  cooked or frozen
• ½
  cup
  chopped red pepper
• ¼
  cup
  finely chopped red onion
• 1
  garlic clove,
  minced
• ¼
  teaspoon
  ground cumin
• ¼
  teaspoon
  paprika
• 1
  teaspoon
  finely chopped fresh parsley,
  divided in half
• salt & pepper

Instructions 

• Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat.
• Add corn and sauté until softened slightly, about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add peppers and sauté for another two minutes
• Add red onions and garlic, stir to blend, and sauté for 2-3 more minutes.
• Sprinkle cumin, paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon parsley over corn mixture and stir together to blend spices.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat.
• Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon parsley.

Nutrition

Calories:
146
kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
19
g

,

Protein:
3
g

,

Fat:
8
g

,

Saturated Fat:
1
g

,

Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g

,

Monounsaturated Fat:
5
g

,

Sodium:
2
mg

,

Potassium:
228
mg

,

Fiber:
2
g

,

Sugar:
5
g

,

Vitamin A:
799
IU

,

Vitamin C:
29
mg

,

Calcium:
9
mg

,

Iron:
1
mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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What are YOUR favorite special hot dog toppings?

This post is sponsored by Hebrew National. All opinions, recipes, and photos are, as always, my own.

What makes a Hebrew National kosher hot dog premium? It’s all about what makes the cut (And what doesn’t). We’re choosy about what goes into our franks – we use only premium cuts of 100% kosher beef from the front half of the cow and then choose the best from that. No artificial flavors, colors, fillers or by-products. When your hot dog is Kosher, that’s a hot dog you can trust! For more summer fun with Hebrew National, visit facebook.com/hebrewnational.