Quick Pickled Red Onions

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

Jar of quick pickled onions resting on a cutting board.

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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?

Vegetarian sloppy joes arranged on a cutting board. — vegetarian sloppy joes

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.

Ingredients whisked together in a sauce pan.

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

Sliced red onion resting in pickling liquid.

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

pickled red onions in a jar with wooden spoon in background.

👩🏼‍🍳 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!

Fork lifting up pickled onions from a jar.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

Are pickled onions good for you?

Absolutely! They are high in nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and calcium, and the pickling process creates probiotics, which are great for gut health.

How long do pickled onions last?

Stored in the refrigerator, quick-pickled onions can last up to 2 weeks. If you want them to last longer, store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Why do you boil vinegar when pickling?

Boiling the vinegar helps to dissolve the salt and sugar in our brine, and helps to meld the flavors together.

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