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Easy Recipe for Pickled Onions

Pickled onions are so easy to make! Raw, red onions become delicious and crunchy when cooked. They are a great addition to breakfast dishes such as salmon and bagels, eggs, or as a side with any meat.

Pickled onions in a glass jar with a lid.

Just how easy is it to make this pickled onions recipe?

A quick chop, boil, and some spooning action: that’s it! Pickled onions are super easy to make. We always have a couple of jars on hand to top salads and side dishes, or even to add them into sandwiches. Pickled onions take onions to the next level and are a wonderfully salty treat!

Chop raw onions to pickle them in a simple pickling liquid that you can cook on the stovetop. This quick pickling recipe only has 15 minutes of prep and cook time. I like to keep a mason jar or two in my fridge to top my breakfasts with a perfectly tangy topping.

Key Ingredients

Pickled onions ingredients- apple cider vinegar, rosemary, garlic, white wine vinegar, water, salt, peppercorns, sugar, and red onion.

Onions are anti-inflammatory and benefit heart health.

Along with onions, you will need apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, some water, and sugar.

Finally, there’s salt for flavor.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to make this Recipe for Pickled Red Onions

Step 1: Prep the ingredients

Start by peeling and thinly slicing the red onions (preferably with a mandolin slicer), then cut into half-moons. Peel and slice garlic cloves if you are adding them to the recipe.

Chopped garlic and red onion on a cutting board.

Step 2: Cook the spices

Add white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, water, sugar of choice, and salt to a pot, then bring to a boil. Then, quickly reduce the heat to a simmer. If you are using dried spices, add them to this also.

Step 3: Add onions

Add onions to the pot and simmer for one minute then turn off the heat and allow them to cool a bit so you can handle them.

Cooking pickled onions in a saucepan.

Step 4: Divide into jars

Add onion and liquid to a clean, pint-sized jar. If you are adding garlic or fresh herbs, add them now.

Step 5: Refrigerate

Place the jars in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving (longer is better).

Step 6: Enjoy

Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Pickled onion with pickling liquid in a glass jar with ingredients on the side.

Expert Tips:

  • For the sugar, feel free to use white, brown, coconut palm, etc. Keep in mind that the taste will change with each sugar alternative. Usually we make this recipe with plain white sugar. I do not recommend a natural sweetener alternative, sugar is the best option for these onions.
  • When making this pickled red onions recipe, keep in mind that you should allow the simmered onions to cool slightly before transferring to jars. Hot onions and pickling liquid may compromise the integrity of the jars.
  • For optimal flavor infusion, refrigerate the pickled onions for at least an hour before serving. However, longer refrigeration enhances the pickling process.
  • Use pickled onions atop burrito bowls, breakfast sandwiches, and even scrambled eggs for a delicious addition onto regular foods.

Recipe FAQs

What else can you add to the pickled onion?

Enhance the taste of pickled onions with garlic cloves, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, or fresh herbs (oregano, rosemary, basil).

Can I reduce the sugar content?

Yes, you can adjust the sugar amount to suit your taste preferences. This will not compromise the pickling process. I do not recommend substituting sugar for a natural sweetener.

What dishes can I pair pickled onions with?

They complement a variety of dishes, including tacos, salads, avocado toast, and grilled meats. Top your brown rice or rice bowls with pickled onions.

Pickled onions in a white bowl with peppercorns.

Looking for more tasty vegetable recipes? Here are some more to check out!

More red onion recipes

If you tried these Pickled Onions or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!

Pickled onions in a glass jar with a lid.

Easy Recipe for Pickled Onions

Turn pungent onions into tangy pickled onions that will be perfect for avocado toast, grain bowls, salads, and just about anything!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Vegan
Allergy: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Vegan
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings4
Calories: 27kcal
Author: Marina Rizhkov

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 small/medium red onion, sliced very thin, preferably with a mandolin slicer
  • ¼ cup white wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tsp granulated sugar, of choice
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, sliced
  • fresh herbs, oregano, rosemary, or basil, optional
  • peppercorns, optional

Instructions

  • Start by peeling and thinly slicing the red onions (preferably with a mandolin slicer), then cut into half-moons. Peel and slice garlic cloves if you are adding them to the recipe.
    1 small/medium red onion,, 2 cloves garlic,
    Chopped garlic and red onion on a cutting board.
  • Add white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, water, sugar of choice, and salt to a pot, then bring to a boil. Then, quickly reduce the heat to a simmer. If you are using dried spices, add them to this also.
    ¼ cup white wine vinegar, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ½ cup water, 2 tsp granulated sugar,, peppercorns,, ¾ tsp salt
  • Add onions to the pot and simmer for one minute then turn off the heat and allow them to cool a bit so you can handle them.
    Cooking pickled onions in a saucepan.
  • Add onion and liquid to a clean, pint-sized jar. If you are adding garlic or fresh herbs, add them now.
    fresh herbs,, 2 cloves garlic,
  • Place the jars in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving (longer is better).
    Pickled onion with pickling liquid in a glass jar with ingredients on the side.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Notes

Make these pickled onions an hour or several days in advance – they marinate quickly and last a while.

Nutrition

Calories: 27kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 441mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
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5 from 1 vote

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