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Sandwich relish sits between a pickle and a spread. The right jar adds moisture, sweetness, acidity and a bit of texture, which helps plain fillings taste more complete without needing three separate condiments.
For UK shoppers, the main question is not whether a relish is “good” in isolation. It is whether it suits the sandwich you actually make: ham and cheddar, chicken salad, tuna mayo, a packed-lunch cheese roll, or an American-style deli build.
Quick picks
Best overall: Branston Small Chunk Pickle
Best budget: Mrs Elswood Whole Sweet Cucumbers
Best for burgers and stacked sandwiches: Dino’s Famous All American Style Stacker Pickles
Best for sharper, spicier sandwiches: Hendersons Spicy Yorkshire Relish
Best bulk option: Sixsigma Foods Cornichons 2kg
What matters most when buying sandwich relish
Before choosing a jar, these are the points worth checking first:
1) Spreadability
A sandwich relish needs to sit neatly inside bread. If it is too thin, it makes the filling slippery. If it is too chunky, it can overwhelm a simple sandwich.
2) Sweetness level
Sweeter relishes work well with ham, cheddar and burgers. Less sweet options usually suit tuna, chicken and deli-style sandwiches better.
3) Crunch
A bit of crunch helps soft fillings feel less flat. This matters most in sandwiches with mayo, soft cheese or sliced meats.
4) Vinegar and tang
Acidity is what keeps a relish from tasting heavy. A sharper relish lifts richer fillings, while a milder one is easier in everyday lunch sandwiches.
5) Format
Some products work as a true spoonable relish. Others are sliced pickles or small gherkins that do the same job in a different way.
6) Filling match
The best relish for burgers is not always the best relish for cheddar sandwiches or ploughman’s-style lunches.
7) Jar size
A large jar is only good value if you use it often enough. For occasional sandwiches, a smaller jar is usually the safer buy.
Our top picks
1) Branston Small Chunk Pickle
Best for: cheddar, ham, ploughman’s-style sandwiches
Branston is the most natural all-round sandwich relish in this set because it is built for bread-based lunches rather than burgers alone. The small-chunk texture spreads more evenly than larger pickle styles, while the sweet-sharp balance works especially well with mature cheese.
Why it earns the top spot
- Thick, spoonable texture suits sandwiches better than loose pickles
- Sweet-acid balance gives plain fillings more character
- Familiar British flavour profile works well in everyday lunch combinations
The trade-off
- More chutney-like than cucumber-led relishes, so it is less suited to clean, deli-style sandwiches
How to use it
- Spread lightly in a cheddar sandwich for extra tang
- Add to ham rolls or ploughman’s-style baguettes
Substitution
- Any small-chunk pickle or onion-based sandwich pickle with a similar sweet-sharp profile
2) Dino’s Famous All American Style Stacker Pickles
Best for: burger buns, toasted sandwiches, American-style deli builds
This is not a classic spooned relish, but it solves the same problem in a more burger-led way. The stacker format gives you even coverage, while the sweet-tangy pickle flavour adds crunch that a smooth relish cannot.
Why it stands out
- Slice format makes assembly quick and tidy
- Crunch adds contrast to cheese, beef and soft buns
- Sweet-tangy profile suits burgers and hot sandwiches well
The trade-off
- Less useful if you want a true spreadable relish for standard lunch sandwiches
How to use it
- Layer into burgers or grilled cheese sandwiches
- Add to ham and cheese toasties for bite
Substitution
- Burger gherkin slices or bread-and-butter pickle chips
3) Hendersons Spicy Yorkshire Relish
Best for: roast meat sandwiches, strong cheddar, sharper lunch flavours
Hendersons brings a different angle to sandwich relish. Instead of leaning heavily on sweetness, it offers a spicier, more savoury direction that suits fillings with stronger flavour.
Why it is worth considering
- Adds bite to roast beef, ham and mature cheese
- Less one-note than a purely sweet relish
- Useful when standard pickle tastes too soft or sugary
The trade-off
- Spicier profile may be less universal for family sandwiches
How to use it
- Spread thinly in roast beef sandwiches
- Pair with cheddar and onion in crusty bread
Substitution
- Any savoury onion relish or spiced sandwich condiment
4) Mrs Elswood Whole Sweet Cucumbers
Best for: packed lunches, mild sandwich fillings, shoppers who prefer a gentler sweet pickle
These whole sweet cucumbers are closer to a pickle than a conventional relish, but they work well when sliced into sandwiches. They bring moisture and sweetness without the darker, chutney-style depth of a Branston-type pickle.
Why they work
- Milder sweetness makes them easy to pair with simple fillings
- Cleaner cucumber flavour suits chicken, turkey and soft cheese
- Useful for households that want a lighter pickle style
The trade-off
- Needs slicing, so it is less convenient than a ready-to-spread relish
How to use it
- Slice into chicken mayo or turkey sandwiches
- Add to lunchbox sandwiches where you want a softer pickle note
Substitution
- Sweet gherkins or sandwich gherkin jars with a similar profile
5) Kühne Gherkin Slices for Sandwiches
Best for: quick sandwich assembly and burger-style lunch builds
Kühne’s sliced format is built for convenience. It is a good choice for shoppers who want a sandwich relish effect from ready-cut pickles rather than a jarred spread.
Why it makes sense
- Pre-sliced format saves prep time
- Sweet-and-sour profile adds both lift and convenience
- Easy to portion in wraps, rolls and burger buns
The trade-off
- Less versatile for mixing into fillings than a spoonable relish
How to use it
- Layer into wraps and filled rolls
- Add to burgers or chopped into egg mayo sandwiches
Substitution
- Any sandwich pickle slice jar or burger gherkin slice jar
6) Sixsigma Foods Cornichons 2kg
Best for: high-volume sandwich prep, deli-style lunches, bulk buying
This is the practical pick rather than the neatest one. A big cornichon jar is not a classic relish, but it gives you the raw material for sharper sandwich builds and even homemade chopped relish.
Why it deserves a place
- Good value for regular use
- Smaller cornichons suit baguettes and deli sandwiches well
- Flexible enough to chop into tuna mayo, egg mayo or chicken fillings
The trade-off
- Too large and too prep-heavy for occasional use
How to use it
- Slice for ham, cheese and charcuterie sandwiches
- Chop finely and mix into mayo-based fillings
Substitution
- Any large jar of small gherkins or cornichons
7) Patak’s Garlic Pickle
Best for: Indian-style sandwiches, cheese toasties, shoppers who want a bolder savoury relish
This is the least conventional pick in the list, but it can work very well as a sandwich relish when used carefully. The garlic-led, spiced profile brings depth rather than fresh pickle crunch, so it suits toasties and stronger fillings more than delicate lunch sandwiches.
Why some shoppers will prefer it
- Stronger savoury flavour than standard sweet relishes
- Works well with paneer, cheese and grilled fillings
- A useful change from the usual pickle-and-gherkin pattern
The trade-off
- Too assertive for simple ham or cucumber sandwiches
How to use it
- Spread lightly in a cheese toastie
- Add to grilled vegetable or paneer sandwiches
Substitution
- Any garlic pickle or spiced vegetable pickle used sparingly
Which type is right for your sandwiches?
For classic British lunches
Choose a small-chunk pickle or onion-led relish. This works best with cheddar, ham and ploughman’s-style fillings.
For burgers and toasties
Choose sliced pickles or stackers. The crunch improves texture, and the sweet-tangy flavour suits melted cheese and richer fillings.
For deli-style sandwiches
Choose cornichons or sharper gherkins. They cut through mayo, pastrami, chicken and soft cheese more cleanly than sweeter relishes.
For stronger flavours
Choose spicier relishes. These make more sense with roast meat, grilled fillings and bold cheeses.
Practical availability notes
In UK shops, “sandwich relish” can cover several different products. You may see:
- classic sandwich pickle jars
- burger pickle slices
- sweet cucumbers or gherkins
- spicy onion or garlic relishes
If your first-choice jar is unavailable, match by function rather than by product name. A sliced gherkin can replace a burger relish in a sandwich, while a small-chunk pickle can replace a sweet sandwich relish more effectively than a plain sauce can.
FAQs
Is sandwich relish the same as pickle?
Sometimes, but not always. In UK shopping, sandwich relish often includes pickles, chutney-style sandwich pickles, and sliced gherkins used for the same purpose.
What is best with cheese sandwiches?
A small-chunk pickle or onion-based relish usually works best because it adds sweetness and tang without needing extra condiments.
Are sliced gherkins a relish?
Not technically, but they often do the same job in burgers, toasties and filled rolls.
Which option is best for tuna mayo sandwiches?
A sharper, less sweet pickle usually works better than a dark, sweet chutney-style relish.
Are large jars worth it?
Only if you make sandwiches often or use them in salads and sides as well. Otherwise, smaller jars are easier to finish while the texture is still at its best.
What should I check on the label?
Look at sweetness, chunk size, whether it is sliced or spoonable, and whether the flavour leans more pickle, onion or spice.
Conclusion
For most UK shoppers, Branston Small Chunk Pickle is still the safest sandwich relish to buy because it matches the job clearly: easy to spread, easy to pair, and reliable with everyday fillings. If your sandwiches are more burger-led, Dino’s stacker pickles or Kühne slices are often the better fit. If you want something sharper and less sweet, Hendersons Spicy Yorkshire Relish is the more distinctive option.