Pickled Red Onions

If you’re looking to add a burst of flavor, color, and nutrition to your meals, this easy recipe for pickled red onions is for you! These tangy, crunchy delights are incredibly versatile—they can elevate salads, tacos, sandwiches, and more. Plus, they’re super easy to make at home.

Don’t be intimidated by the title of this recipe. This quick pickled red onion recipe is extremely easy to make and takes just 5 minutes to prepare. Some recipes will instruct you to heat the vinegar and water but we won’t do that in this recipe, making this red onion recipe even simpler than the others (and just as delicious!)

Want To Watch It Instead?

Benefits of Pickled Red Onions

Pickled red onions offer a delicious contrast to savory dishes. Their vibrant color brightens up any plate, while their sharp, tangy flavor balances richness and complements a variety of cuisines. Not to mention, they’re a great way to add some zing without too much effort!

However, there are lots of health benefits too! Bitter or sour food is believed to help with digestion. The probiotics formed during fermentation may aid digestion and promote a healthy gut microbiome. So not only are they delicious, but they are good for you too.

Not only is it delicious, but it’s also a great way to preserve the onions before they go bad.

How To Make Picked Red Onions

How To Use Pickled Red Onions

Pickled red onions are extremely versatile. Add them to almost any dish! These are a few of my favorite ways to use them:

• Add them to sandwiches. They are amazing when paired with Homemade Roast Beef
• Put them on tacos or nachos for a tang that goes perfectly with salsa
• Toss them into a salad for a boost of nutrition. Raw vegetables can be tough to digest, so mixing in some pickled red onions may make it easier on your stomach!
• On burgers in place of raw sliced onions or pickles. They taste amazing in burgers!

Tips: How To Make Pickled Red Onions

TIP #1: Use a sterilized glass jar. I like to use a Mason jar that has been washed in the dishwasher with hot water.

TIP #2: Thinly slice the raw red onions. Use a sharp chef’s knife or a mandoline to cut them about 1/8 inch thick.

TIP #3: If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can substitute white wine vinegar or rice vinegar but I would not recommend plain white vinegar, since the flavor would be too strong.

TIP #4: Consider adding different spices to change up the flavor. Some ideas include black peppercorns, fennel seeds, a bay leaf, a smashed garlic clove or any other seasonings you’d like to try.

TIP #5: These are stored in the fridge, so you can make a large batch and it will last you the week.

Optional Modifications:

Sweeter Version: This red onion recipe is going to be tangy, which is what makes it so delicious on savory dishes. If you prefer a sweeter onion, add 1 teaspoon of maple syrup or honey as a sweetener. That will complement the tang from the onions.

Softer Onions: Part of the appeal of this dish is the crispy, crunchy texture of the onions. It will soften as it sits but it always retains a small crunch. If you prefer a softer onion, heat the water and vinegar prior to adding it to the onions. It should be hot but not boiling, for safety reasons.

The Onion Flavor Is Too Strong: Add an additional 1/3 cup of water to the jar (for a total of 2/3 cup of water). That will take down the acidity of the dish.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pickled Red Onions

Try these onions with:

• Homemade Roast Beef Sandwich
• Turkey Breakfast Sausage
• Easy Homemade Beefaroni
• Simple Pear Salad With Pomegranate And Walnuts
• One Pan Sauteed Kale With Prosciutto
• Or tacos, burritos, nachos, salads and burgers!