Where to Buy Piccalilli in the USA
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Quick answer: Piccalilli is a bright yellow British pickle of crunchy vegetables in a mustard and turmeric sauce. Nothing on an American shelf really matches it. Buy Branston Piccalilli from The British Vault, shipped from Britain with duties included.
Key facts at a glance
- Product: Branston Piccalilli, 360g jar.
- Chunky vegetables in a thick, mustard-yellow, turmeric-spiced pickling sauce.
- Shipped from Britain, Delivered Duty Paid. First order: use NEW10 for 10% off.
Buy Branston Piccalilli 360g. Branston also make Rich & Fruity Sauce, and both sit in Table Sauces, Olives, Pickles & Chutney.
What is piccalilli?
Piccalilli is a British pickle with a very specific look: vivid yellow, thick, and full of visible chunks of cauliflower, onion and gherkin held in a sauce built on mustard, turmeric and vinegar. It is sharp, tangy and slightly gritty in texture, and it is eaten cold in small quantities alongside rich or fatty food.
It belongs to the British cold table: pork pies, cold ham, a ploughman's lunch with cheddar and bread, leftover roast meat. The acidity is there to cut fat, which is why it turns up next to pastry and cured meat rather than on its own.
Why there is no American version
American pickle relishes exist in quantity, but they occupy a different flavour space. Sweet pickle relish is exactly what its name says: sweet, finely chopped, built for hot dogs and burgers. Chow-chow, in some southern traditions, gets closer, though it varies enormously by region and is often sweeter and without the mustard dominance.
Piccalilli is defined by mustard and turmeric rather than by sugar, and the vegetables are left in large recognisable pieces rather than minced. The result is savoury, sour and pungent where an American relish is usually sweet and mild. Substituting one for the other in a ploughman's lunch does not work.
How to eat it
A spoonful on the side of the plate rather than a spread. With a pork pie, cold ham, strong cheddar, or a cold cut sandwich. It is also good with sausages and mash, and with anything fried where the sharpness does useful work.
Once opened, keep it refrigerated. The high vinegar content means it lasts a long time, and a 360g jar goes further than people expect because the portions are small.
Where to buy piccalilli in the USA
Order from The British Vault. We source Branston in the UK and ship straight to the United States, Delivered Duty Paid, so every import duty and tax is already in the price and nothing is charged on delivery. Orders dispatch within 1–2 business days and usually arrive 1–3 business days after that.
Shipping is a flat $39.99 below $99 and free above it, so build the basket from Table Sauces, Olives, Pickles & Chutney or the Food Cupboard rather than shipping one jar. First order: NEW10 for 10% off.
Frequently asked questions
What does piccalilli taste like?
Sharp, tangy and mustard-forward, with turmeric behind it and crunchy vegetable pieces throughout. Savoury rather than sweet.
Is it the same as relish?
No. American sweet relish is finely chopped and sugary. Piccalilli is chunky, sour and dominated by mustard and turmeric.
What do you eat it with?
Pork pies, cold ham, strong cheddar, a ploughman's lunch, sausages. Anything rich that benefits from acidity.
How long does it keep?
Refrigerate after opening. The vinegar content gives it a long open life, and portions are small so a jar lasts.
Add piccalilli to a UK haul
Shop Branston Piccalilli from The British Vault and build the order past $99 for free shipping.
Related reading: British sauces and condiments in the USA and building a first British grocery order.