Of all the recipes for pickled red onions, this one is the best! This frugal pickled onions recipe only takes 5 minutes to make, and you’ll have a zesty, tangy topper that won’t affect your macros.
It’s no secret that my family LOVES Mexican dishes. Slow Cooker Carnitas and Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas make regular appearances on our dinner menu.
Aside from Mexican food being easy to make, it’s super easy on the budget. Pair a protein with a few key side dishes – like Cilantro Lime Rice, Easy Guacamole, Blender Restaurant-Style Salsa, and Slow Cooker Refried Beans – and dinner is done!
This leads me to another one of my favorite flavorful sides: pickled red onions!
How do you pickle red onions?
These quick pickled red onions soak in a simple vinegar mixture to get that signature tang. They’re great for adding a flavorful zing to all sorts of dishes!
QUICK PICKLED ONIONS RECIPE INGREDIENTS
I love this quick pickled onions recipe because other than the red onions, everything you need is already in your pantry!
- Red Onions. I like the bold flavor of red onions, but you can also try this quick pickled onions recipe with white or yellow onions.
- Vinegar. I usually use apple cider vinegar, but you can switch it up. Red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar are tasty. You can even use a combination of different types of vinegars, which is perfect if you’re running low on one particular kind. A splash of lemon juice or lime juice would add a yummy citrusy twist to the pickled red onions!
- Sweetener. We’ve migrated to mostly using coconut sugar. Use your granulated sweetener of choice – white sugar is traditional – or try honey or maple syrup for a unique flavor.
- Salt. Salt enhances the flavor and balances out the sweet and the tang.
- Water. To make the pickling liquid.
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HOW TO MAKE PICKLED ONIONS
Step 1. Combine the pickling mixture in a small saucepan on the stove and bring it JUST to a simmer. You don’t need to cook anything, but this lets the sweetener, seasonings, and salt dissolve and blend. (You can also do this in the microwave).
Step 2. While the mixture is on the stove, slice the onions. I use a sharp knife, but a mandolin would be perfect here. The thinner, the better!
Step 3. Combine the pickling mixture and the sliced onions in a glass pint mason jar and shake gently. Make sure the onions are completely covered by the vinegar mixture.
Step 4. Let the pickled onions rest for at least 30 minutes and then serve or refrigerate.
TIPS FOR RECIPE OF ONION PICKLE
- Save money and keep your glass jars from spaghetti sauce or peanut butter. Wash them out well and remove the labels, and they’d be perfect for storing this recipe of onion pickles!
- The thinner the onions, the better! Take your time to ensure they’re sliced super thin or use a mandolin for consistency. If you want thicker onions, see my tips below for customizing the pickled onion recipe.
- You can partially boil the onions. This is called a par-blanch, and it mellows out the flavor of the onion. You’ll want to bring 2 cups of water to a boil, place the onions in a fine mesh strainer, then pour the boiling water slowly and evenly over the onions, over the sink.
- Make sure all of the onions are submerged. Add a bit more water or vinegar if they’re not quite covered.
- The onions will continue to soften in the liquid. If you prefer firmer, slightly crisp pickled onions, make a small fresh batch shortly before eating them. If you like them softer, pickle them earlier in the day or the day before.
- When the onions are gone, use the leftover brine in a salad dressing or marinade as the vinegar portion. It will add a pop of flavor to yet another meal!
CUSTOMIZE THIS QUICK PICKLED ONIONS RECIPE
Give personality to your pickled red onions recipe! I personally love the flavor of these quick pickled onions as-is, but there are lots of ways you can customize them to make them truly unique.
| Customization | Adaptation | Result |
| Par-Blanched Pickled Onions | Partially boil the onions | Mellow onion flavor |
| Thick-Cut Pickled Onions | Cut thicker onions, pickle for at least 1 hour | Larger, crunchier pieces |
| Peppery Pickled Onions Recipe | Add a few black peppercorns or freshly ground pepper | Warm, earthy heat |
| Garlicky Pickled Red Onions | Add sliced or whole garlic cloves | Sharp, pungent bite |
| Spicy Pickled Onions | Add sliced jalapeños or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes | Red onions with a kick! |
| Herby Onions | Add your herb of choice: rosemary, dill, oregano, cloves, bay leaves, etc. | Fresh herby flavor that complements other dishes |
| Use different vinegar | Instead of apple cider vinegar, try white vinegar, rice vinegar, or red wine vinegar | Still tangy, but different flavor notes |
| Try different onions | Use yellow or white onions | Slightly less bite |
| Swap sweeteners | Swap granulated sweetener for honey or maple syrup | Unique sweetness |
WAYS TO USE RECIPES FOR PICKLED RED ONIONS
My favorite way to eat pickled onions is with a Mexican dish. But the ways to use pickled red onions are truly endless, but here are some great options:
Mexican Dishes:
- Tacos made with Slow Cooker Carnitas
- Ground Beef Taco Meat
- Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
- Burritos
- Quesadillas
- On top of Spinach and Chicken Enchiladas
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas
- Shrimp Tacos
- Or even on top of nachos!
Breakfast:
- Dress up your Scrambled Eggs
- Fried Eggs
- Migas or huevos rancheros
- Top Breakfast Sandwiches
- Layer on top of avocado toast
- Add to Instant Pot Breakfast Casserole
Salads, Sandwiches & Bowls:
- Add to the Best Burgers
- Wraps like this Chicken Caesar Wrap
- Fancy up your Grilled Cheese paninis
- Make Grain Bowls to help use up what you have left in the fridge
Meat and Seafood:
- The most delicious condiment for any meat dish, but especially BBQ dishes like Slow Cooker Brisket or Instant Pot BBQ Chicken!
And if you like recipes for pickled red onions…try swapping the onions for carrots or radishes for a different tangy pickled topping.
MACRO-FRIENDLY RECIPES FOR PICKLED RED ONIONS
Using pickled red onions is a great way to add a pop of flavor without adding a ton of fat or calories to the dish, like if you added a dressing or sauce.
In fact, the red onions barely change your macros at all! If your food is feeling a little bland, pickled red onions are a perfect way to add some zingy flavor. Easy Pickled Jalapenos and 15-Minute Hot Sauce are similar.
And when you make homemade recipes for pickled red onions, you can feel good about adding flavor without adding junky ingredients.
RECIPES FOR PICKLED RED ONIONS FAQS
How long do recipes for pickled red onions last?
Pickled red onions will last a week or two in the refrigerator since vinegar is a natural preservative. (I like to let my pickled onions come to room temperature before serving, so they’re the first thing I pull from the fridge.)
How do you make pickled onions?
The vinegar in the pickling liquid naturally preserves the onions. It’s similar to how pickles are made!
Do you have to soak onions before making the recipe of onion pickle?
No! No soaking is required.
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Quick Pickled Red Onions
Ingredients
- 1 large red onion peeled and sliced very thin (150g)
- ¾ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1-2 Tbsp sweetener such as maple syrup, honey, sugar, etc. – optional
Instructions
- Combine the pickling mixture in a small saucepan on the stove and bring it JUST to a simmer. You don’t need to cook anything, but this lets the sweetener and additional seasonings dissolve and blend. (You can also do this in the microwave).
- While the mixture is on the stove, slice the onions. I use a chef’s knife, but a mandolin would be perfect here. The thinner the better!
- Combine the pickling mixture and the onions in glass pint jars and shake gently. Make sure the onions are completely submerged.
- Let the onions rest for 30 minutes and then serve or refrigerate!
Notes
- Thick-Cut Pickled Onions: Cut thicker slices and pickle for at least 1 hour.
- Peppery Pickled Onions Recipe: Add black peppercorns or freshly ground pepper.
- Garlicky Pickled Red Onions: Add a few sliced or whole garlic cloves.
- Spicy Pickled Onions: Add sliced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Herby Onions: Add your herb of choice (rosemary, dill, oregano, cloves, bay leaves, etc.)
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