Say hello to your new best friend – Quick and Easy Pickled Onions aka my all time favourite way to add a boost of flavour and satisfying crunch to just about any meal! Add them to burgers, sandwiches, tacos, bowls, salads, cheese or charcuterie boards and more!
If you know anything about me – or if you’ve been here for longer than a little while (thank you!!!) – then you already know that I’m BIG on flavour. Like EXTRA big on flavour! I just absolutely love finding different ways to add bursts of it everywhere I turn! Whether it be perfectly toasting nuts to add an extra layer of flavour to salads or desserts or sneaking some deliciously caramelized onions into my meal any chance I get, I will never turn down any ingredient who’s sole responsibility is to make food taste better. You feel me?!
This pickled onion recipe is not only the Queen (or King, whatever suits your fancy!) at making already good food taste even better but they’re SO easy to make, are quick to throw together and are HIGHLY addicting! Once you make them once and start adding them to anything and everything you make (oh, just me?!) then you’ll quickly make these pickled onions a staple in your fridge from here on out!
The best part about these easy pickled onions is that they’re as vibrant and pretty as they are delicious! They not only take everything they touch to a whole other level but they also make everything they touch look extra pretty. I mean, if there was ever a time where I would hope that the saying ‘you are what you eat’ rings true, it’s here. ‘Cause who doesn’t want to be fresh, vibrant, pretty AND delicious?!
Just do yourself a favour already. Make this pickled onion recipe ASAP and start adding them to everything you eat. Thank me later.
INGREDIENTS TO MAKE THIS PICKLED ONION RECIPE
Simple pantry ingredients are the only additional ingredients you’ll need besides the onions, of course! Let’s get into them in a little bit more detail down below:
- Red Onions: Red onions are chosen for their mild sweetness and vibrant colour. Once pickled, they add a crisp and slightly crunchy texture to dishes. Additionally, onions are rich in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. They also provide vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, fiber, and folate.
- Vinegar: Provides the necessary acidity for pickling, preserving the onions and giving them a tangy flavour. You can use white vinegar or pickling vinegar for this recipe. White vinegar is clear and has a milder taste, while pickling vinegar may be specifically formulated for pickling and could contain additional spices or flavourings.
- Water: Helps dilute the acidity of the vinegar, ensuring that the pickling solution is not too overpowering.
- Sugar: Balances the acidity of the vinegar, providing a sweet and sour flavour profile to the pickled onions.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavour of the pickled onions and helps with preservation. It also draws out moisture from the onions, contributing to their overall crispness.
- Black Peppercorns: Optional but contribute a hint of spiciness to this pickled onion recipe.
- Other Spices (not pictured): Optional. However, if you’re feeling a little fancy or want to experiment with different flavours, you can add other spices such as garlic, mustard seeds or bay leaves. This will infuse extra flavour into your pickled red onions.
HOW TO MAKE PICKLED ONIONS (KEY TIPS)
You can find full instructions for how to make this quick and easy recipe for pickled onions in the recipe card down below, but here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:
- Select fresh, firm red onions. The quality of the onions will impact the final texture and flavour of the pickled onions.
- Slice the red onions thinly and uniformly to ensure even pickling. EXTRA TIP: A mandoline slicer can help achieve consistent thickness. However, I *shockingly* don’t have one so I’m living proof that doing it by hand is not the end of the world!
- Taste the pickling liquid before pouring it over the onions. Adjust the sugar and salt levels to achieve the desired balance of sweetness and tanginess.
- Cool the pickling liquid a bit before pouring it over the onions. This helps preserve the texture, colour and flavour of the onions, resulting in a more visually appealing and tasty final product.
- Ensure that the jars or containers used for pickling are clean and sterilized. This helps prevent unwanted bacteria and ensures a longer shelf life for the pickled onions. I like using mason jars with tight fitting lids.
- Make sure the sliced onions are fully submerged in the pickling liquid. This ensures that all the onions pickle evenly and prevents any exposed parts from discolouring.
- Allow the pickled onions to marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour before using. For optimal flavour, letting them sit for a day or two will enhance the taste. They get better over time! EXTRA TIP: Feel free to experiment with additional spices like whole peppercorns, garlic, or other herbs to customize the flavour profile to your liking. There are endless options! EXTRA EXTRA TIP: Label the jars with the date of preparation. This helps you keep track of freshness and ensures you use the pickled onions within a reasonable time.
- Always store the pickled onions in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness and crispness. The cold temperature slows down the pickling process and preserves the quality.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The best onions for pickling are those that have a mild and sweet flavour profile and offer a good texture after the pickling process. Red onions are a popular choice for pickling due to their vibrant colour and mild sweetness. The red color also intensifies during the pickling process, making them visually appealing.
Yellow or white onions can also be used for pickling, especially if you prefer a milder onion flavour. However, they might not provide the same visual impact as red onions.
Yes, pickled onions can be a healthy addition to your diet when consumed in moderation. Onions, whether fresh or pickled, are a good source of essential nutrients. They contain vitamins such as vitamin C, B vitamins (including folate), and minerals like potassium. These nutrients contribute to overall health and well-being. They’re also rich in antioxidants which helps combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. And finally, pickled onions are generally low in calories. So, they can add flavour to dishes without contributing significantly to overall calorie intake.
Pickled onions can last for several weeks when stored properly in the refrigerator. Their shelf life depends on factors such as the acidity of the pickling solution, the cleanliness of the jar and how well-sealed the container is. Pickled onions are often best within the first few days to a week after preparation. During this time, they retain their crispness and vibrant colour. However, if stored in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator, pickled onions can typically last for up to a month without significant loss of quality.
Pickled red onions can add a burst of flavour, tanginess and vibrant colour to a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas on what you can pair pickled red onions with: tacos, burritos, quesadillas, salads, pasta salads, grain bowls, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, hot dogs, sausages, grilled meats such as steak, chicken or fish, avocado toast, pizza, cheese and charcuterie boards, scrambled eggs, quiches or omelettes. I mean… ANYTHING, really!
EASY PICKLED ONION RECIPE
Say hello to your new best friend - Quick and Easy Pickled Onions aka my all time favourite way to add a boost of flavour and satisfying crunch to just about any meal! Add them to burgers, sandwiches, tacos, bowls, salads, cheese or charcuterie boards and more!
Ingredients
- 1 large Red Onion
- 1 cup White Vinegar or Pickling Vinegar
- 1 cup Water
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- Optional: 1 tsp Black Peppercorns or Other Spices (i.e. bay leaves, garlic, mustard seeds)
Instructions
- Peel and thinly slice the red onion. Place the slices in a clean, sterilized glass jar.
- In a saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and optional spices. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the sugar and salt dissolve. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and then remove it from heat. Allow it to cool slightly.
- Place the slices in a clean, sterilized glass jar. Pour the vinegar mixture over the sliced onions in the jar, ensuring the onions are fully submerged.
- Let the pickled onions cool to room temperature. Once cooled, seal the jar and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the onions to marinate for at least an hour before using. For optimal flavour, let them sit in the fridge for a day or two.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 172Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2347mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 5gSugar: 19gProtein: 3g
Nutrition is only an estimate and calculated using Nutritionix.
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