Quick Pickled Red Onions

Crunchy and tangy pickled onions in no time at all! Use them on salads, sandwiches, pizza, or your favorite entrée!

I discovered quick-pickled red onions several years ago, and now they are one of my favorite condiments.

They add a delectable sweet and tangy crunch that takes food to the next level. All you need are a few basic ingredients (4 to be exact), and after letting your sliced onion rest in the pickling liquid for about an hour, you've got a zippy homemade condiment that can be used to elevate so many dishes.

Pickling onions couldn't be easier, and it transforms raw, spicy onions into a tangy and slightly crunchy topping for so many dishes.

When it comes to how to use pickled onions, the possibilities are endless: add them to sandwiches, soups, salads, pasta, pizza, and your favorite Mexican food!

Because these are "refrigerator pickles", no water bath or canning is necessary. They will last up to 2 weeks stored in the refrigerator and are essentially fail-proof. So let's make a batch!

Jump to:

• 💬 What Do You Do With Pickled Onions?
• 🍽 Ingredient Notes
• 🔪 How to Make Quick Pickled Red Onions
• 👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips
• 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
• Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe

💬 What Do You Do With Pickled Onions?

Adding pickled onions to your food is a quick and easy way to add zippy flavor with a crunch. Whenever you think your meal is missing something, try adding pickled onions and you won't be disappointed! Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy them:

• Mexican cuisine: Adds bright flavor to tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and countless other dishes. They are delicious on refried bean tacos, fajita tacos, and chipotle enchiladas.
• Sandwiches: Adds a sweet, spicy, and tangy crunch to your sandwiches. Try them on chicken focaccia sandwich, vegetarian sloppy joes, garlic grilled cheese, and portobello burgers with smoky ranch coleslaw.
• Salads: Is your salad missing that certain something? Add a few pickled onions! Try them on roasted squash salad, gluten free tabbouleh salad, and roasted cauliflower salad.
• Soups: Add a tangy crunch to soups like vegetarian white bean chili, creamy roasted cauliflower soup, and avocado gazpacho.
• Bowls: Add another level of flavor to your grain bowls, like my tofu quinoa bowl.
• Eggs: Add bright acidity to a rich egg dish, like my spinach and mushroom quiche or goat cheese frittata.
• Pasta: Elevate any pasta dish with a vinegary bite, like broccoli pasta bake, summer tortellini salad, and wonton wrapper ravioli.
• Indian cuisine: Try them on roasted tandoori cauliflower or chickpea spinach curry.

🍽 Ingredient Notes

• Apple cider vinegar - I love the slightly sweet and tangy flavor of apple cider vinegar, but you could use your favorite type of vinegar for this recipe.
• Granulated sugar - Adds a very subtle sweetness; you can substitute maple syrup or honey if you want a natural sweetener.
• Red onion - Creates a vibrant pink color, but you can also use a yellow or white onion here.

🔪 How to Make Quick Pickled Red Onions

Making pickled onions couldn't be easier! It's just three simple steps:

Whisk together hot water, vinegar, sugar and salt, until sugar is completely dissolved.

Place sliced onion in a medium-to-large bowl and pour pickling mixture over onion. Let sit for 1 hour at room temperature.

Store in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Slice onions thinly. I recommend cutting your onion about ⅛" thick, which will help them absorb the liquid faster. You can cut your onion thicker but will need to let it pickle for at least an hour to get a similar flavor.
• How to store: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• How to freeze: Place in a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Substitute white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or distilled vinegar for a slightly different flavor. Or use a variety of vinegar for a more interesting flavor.
• Naturally sweetened: Use maple syrup or honey for a naturally sweetened batch.
• Make spicy: Add one sliced jalapeño pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes for more heat.
• Garlic: Add one clove of garlic for a garlicky taste.
• Use yellow or white onions for a different flavor. It won't be as pretty, but it will still be delicious!

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

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