How to Pickle Red Onions

How to Pickle Red Onions

Learning how to make pickled red onions is SO easy - it only takes five minutes and you probably have all the ingredients! You'll love having a jar of these in your fridge for tacos, avocado toast, and more!

Ingredients

  • 1 red onion

    thinly sliced), (use a mandoline if you have one

  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 cup hot water)

    (not boiling

Directions

  1. 1

    Slice the red onions as thin as you can. I use a mandoline but a sharp knife works well, too.

  2. 2

    Stuff all the red onions in the jar of your choice. A bowl works too but a jar is easier to store in the fridge.

  3. 3

    In a measuring cup, combine apple cider vinegar, salt, sugar, and warm water. Stir to dissolve the sugar and salt. Pour the pickling mixture over the sliced onions, making sure they are immersed in the liquid, and let them set for an hour.

  4. 4

    After an hour, cover and store in the fridge for up to three weeks.

How to Pickle Red Onions

How to Pickle Red Onions

Similar Recipes

Pickled Red Onions

Pickled Red Onions

Pickled Red Onions are one of our favorite condiments. They go on everything from salads to sushi!

5 minutes
How to Make the Best Pickled Red Onions

How to Make the Best Pickled Red Onions

These pickled red onions take on a beautiful pink hue. The slivers have just the right amount of sweet, tangy and salty flavors for use in salads, sandwiches and more.

13 kcal
The Best Homemade Pickled Onions

The Best Homemade Pickled Onions

Pickled onions are super quick and easy to make with just 4 ingredients. They are such a beautiful color, they are tangy, sweet, and crunchy. This tasty condiment will elevate any dish. Use them on sandwiches, avocado toast, salads, soups, nachos, burgers, tacos, grain bowls, or just eat them straight from the jar. Yum!

70 minutes12 servings
Quick Pickled Radish Recipe - How to Pickle Radishes

Quick Pickled Radish Recipe - How to Pickle Radishes

This quick pickled radish recipe makes the best pickled radishes in only about 10 minutes hands-on time! They're great on tacos, avocado toast, pulled pork, and more!

70 minutes1 servings
Pickled Red Onions (Quick & Easy!)

Pickled Red Onions (Quick & Easy!)

Want to add big flavor to salads, tacos, and more? This quick pickled red onions recipe is so easy and takes only 5 minutes of hands-on time!

35 minutes
Quick Pickled Red Cabbage

Quick Pickled Red Cabbage

This quick pickled red cabbage is my favorite crunchy condiment to make when I'm looking to use up some leftover cabbage. It's tangy flavor and bright pink color makes it the perfect topping for burgers, BBQ sandwiches, tacos, etc. the list is truly endless! It also only takes a few minutes to throw together and can sit in your fridge for 4-6 weeks! In fact, the longer it sits, the more zingy, fermented, and delicious its flavor profiles become!

50 minutes8 servings
Quick-Pickled Onions

Quick-Pickled Onions

Learn how to make quick-pickled onions! This tangy and crisp pickled onion recipe is ready in 30 minutes. These onions are the perfect condiment for tacos, burritos, nachos, burgers and more. Recipe yields 2 cups.

10 minutes2 servings37 kcal
Quick-Pickled Red Onions

Quick-Pickled Red Onions

Make this easy recipe for pickled onions, then use them to garnish a week's worth of meals; they're the ideal condiment for tacos, grain bowls, and more.

5 minutes

Ratings & Reviews

Be the First to Rate

Nobody has rated this recipe yet. If you have made it, add a rating so the next cook knows what to expect.

About this Recipe

Tired of bland dishes and wishing you had that bright, tangy kick from your favorite restaurant? Learning how to make pickled red onions is incredibly easy, taking just five minutes of active prep, and you likely already have all the ingredients in your pantry. You'll love having a jar of these vibrant, flavorful onions ready to elevate everything from tacos to avocado toast, adding a burst of freshness that transforms any meal.

Why This Recipe Works So Well

This recipe shines because of its sheer simplicity and speed. With only five minutes of hands-on time, you can create a versatile condiment that's far superior to store-bought versions. The combination of apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt creates a perfectly balanced brine that tenderizes the onion while infusing it with irresistible sweet and sour notes. It’s a kitchen magic trick that delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

What to Expect

When you dive into these pickled red onions, expect a delightful explosion of flavor and texture. The thinly sliced red onions will transform from sharp and pungent to wonderfully crisp, tangy, and subtly sweet. Each bite offers a satisfying crunch followed by a bright acidity that cuts through rich flavors, making it a perfect counterpoint to hearty dishes. The vibrant pink color is also a feast for the eyes, adding a beautiful pop to your plate. They are juicy, tender, and just acidic enough to awaken your palate without being overwhelmingly sour.

Customization & Variations

While this recipe is perfect as written, you can easily adjust it to your preferences. If you prefer a milder crunch, slice the onions a bit thicker, or for a more tender texture, slice them as thin as possible, perhaps with a mandoline. Feel free to tweak the ratio of sugar and salt to achieve your ideal balance of sweet and savory tanginess. These pickled red onions are incredibly versatile; they're fantastic on everything from grilled meats and salads to sandwiches and grain bowls.

Serving & Context

These bright, zesty pickled red onions are a game-changer for casual weeknight dinners or festive gatherings. They’re the perfect accompaniment for taco night, a vibrant topping for avocado toast, or a welcome addition to any burger or sandwich. Serve them chilled, straight from the jar, to add a refreshing zing to almost any dish.

Frequently Asked Questions