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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Quick Pickled Red Onions

    February 16, 2022 by LaKita 22 Comments

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Quick Pickled Red Onions are the perfect blend of sweet, tart, and crunchy. Add them to literally anything for a burst of flavor and make them in minutes with four simple ingredients.

    This recipe is loaded with flavor and simple to make. Use it to top a perfectly prepared Ribeye Steak or add some to a Toasted Steak Sandwich to enjoy any time.

    overhead view of finished quick pickled red onions in jar on marble surface

    Months ago I decided to try quick pickling red onions. I found a popular recipe and gave it a try, but it wasn't my favorite. Then while looking in my mother's refrigerator I saw that she had a jar of homemade sweet and sour pickles and pickled red onions.

    Of course, I had to give her version of pickled red onions a try and they were the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and delicious flavor that I had been looking for. I quickly asked her for the recipe and was surprised at how simple it is to make. Since then, they have become a staple in my refrigerator. They are so easy to make and I use them to complement many meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

    I especially love using them in recipes that require red onion instead of sliced raw onion. Talk about a flavor explosion! You have to give this recipe a try.

    Jump to:
    • Which vinegar is best for pickling?
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Additional Ingredient Ideas
    • Instructions
    • When are they ready?
    • And by the way...
    • Recipe
    • Recipes to Pair with Easy Pickled Onions

    Which vinegar is best for pickling?

    For this recipe, you will use white wine vinegar. However, you may substitute the white wine vinegar for white vinegar, rice vinegar, champagne vinegar, or even apple cider vinegar.

    Ingredient Notes

    overhead view of ingredients needed to make quick pickled red onions in separate containers on marble surface
    1. Red onion - One medium size red onion will work for this recipe. Slice it vertically as thinly as possible using a chef's knife. If you have a mandoline available, that will make the process a bit easier.
    2. White wine vinegar - This is the most important ingredient when it comes to making pickled onions. For this recipe, we are using white wine vinegar for a mild flavor, but you may also use white vinegar instead.
    3. Sugar - Use granulated sugar or cane sugar to balance the acidic flavor of the onions. You may also substitute maple syrup or honey in the same unit of measure.
    4. Salt - A coarse salt works best, but feel free to use any salt that you have available.

    Additional Ingredient Ideas

    In addition to the above ingredients, you can also add jalapeno pepper slices, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, a sliced clove of garlic, and a teaspoon of black peppercorns. You may also use yellow onion for this recipe instead of red onion.

    Don't be afraid to get creative with this recipe and add your favorite flavor combinations that you enjoy. This recipe is truly hard to mess up.

    Instructions

    Using a knife, remove the top and bottom of the onion and peel any excess off to reveal the skin of the onion. Thinly slice the red onion into round strips. If you have a mandoline, you can use it instead.

    thinly sliced red onion on blue cutting board with knife

    Place the red onion slices in a medium-sized wide-mouth jar with a lid.

    In a small glass pitcher, stir together the white wine vinegar, sugar, and salt until combined. The mixture will be cloudy and the sugar will dissolve. It will still be grainy from the coarse salt.

    vinegar, salt, and sugar in separate containers on marble surface
    close up side view of Pyrex and spoon with vinegar, salt, and sugar combined

    Pour the vinegar mixture over the red onions in the jar. Stir together and the red onion will begin to reduce in size and be able to fully submerge in the vinegar mixture.

    prepared pickled red onion in small open jar

    Place the lid on the jar and allow it to sit undisturbed for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. Give them a stir and store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy!

    When are they ready?

    The pickled red onions in this recipe are ready to use and eat 30 minutes after they have been prepared. They will last in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. The longer these pickled onions sit the better they get. The onions will become softer and absorb more of the vinegar marinade.

    close up side view quick pickles onions in jar

    And by the way...

    I’m excited to share that I am one of Google’s paid early testers for their Thank with Google pilot program. Thank with Google is an experimental feature that allows you the reader to purchase a fun virtual sticker as a direct way to show support and appreciation for the recipe content on this food blog.


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    Recipe

    close up side view of quick pickled red onions in wide mouth jar

    Quick Pickled Red Onions

    LaKita Anderson
    Quick Pickled Red Onions are the perfect blend of sweet, tart, and crunchy. Add them to literally anything for a burst of flavor and make them in minutes with four simple ingredients.
    5 from 11 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Resting Time 30 mins
    Course Sauce
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 14 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
    • ½ cup white wine vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon coarse salt

    Instructions
     

    • Using a knife, remove the top and bottom of the onion and peel any excess off to reveal the skin of the onion.
    • Thinly slice the 1 medium red onion into round strips. If you have a mandoline, you can use it instead. Place the red onion slices in a medium-sized wide-mouth jar with a lid.
    • In a small glass pitcher, stir together the ½ cup white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt until combined. The mixture will be cloudy and the sugar will dissolve. It will still be grainy from the coarse salt.
    • Pour the vinegar mixture over the red onions in the jar. Stir together and the red onion will begin to reduce in size and be able to fully submerge in the vinegar mixture.
    • Place the lid on the jar and allow it to sit undisturbed for at least 30 minutes at room temperature.
    • Give them a stir and store covered in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 14kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 292mgPotassium: 26mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg

    *All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

    Keyword quick pickled red onions
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SimplyLaKita or tag #SimplyLakita

    Original post date 02/03/2020. Updated 02/16/2022.

    overhead view of prepared quick pickled red onions in wide mouth weck jar beside the lid

    Recipes to Pair with Easy Pickled Onions

    • Instant Pot Chicken Potatoes and Green Beans 
    • Roasted Chicken Thighs
    • Ribeye Steak
    • Easy Pizza Bowls

    Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas for these Quick Pickled Red Onions? Please share them in the comments below!


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sharon

      February 22, 2022 at 12:43 pm

      5 stars
      These pickled red onions are just like the name says, 'quick'. Whip some up for topping sandwiches, burgers, or hot dogs.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 24, 2022 at 12:49 pm

        Thank you Sharon! So perfect for all of those!!

        Reply
    2. Megan

      February 22, 2022 at 7:28 pm

      5 stars
      I make these all the time. So simple but they add so much to each dish. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 24, 2022 at 12:50 pm

        Thank you so much Megan!!

        Reply
    3. Allyssa

      February 23, 2022 at 7:10 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for sharing this amazing pickled red onions recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 24, 2022 at 12:51 pm

        Thank you Allyssa!!!

        Reply
    4. Marta

      February 24, 2022 at 12:08 am

      5 stars
      I made this quick pickled onions to go with salami, mofongo, fried cheese, and eggs for breakfast this morning and the entire family raved about how good they were.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 24, 2022 at 12:51 pm

        Thank you Marta! That sounds like one incredible breakfast!!

        Reply
    5. Marie

      February 25, 2022 at 1:38 pm

      This is such a punchy, pretty, and flavorful condiment! I've been adding a pinch on pretty much everything, from omelets to salads to pan-seared salmon. It's really easy to make and super versatile, I've sworn to myself I'd always keep a jar in the fridge!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        March 01, 2022 at 11:31 am

        Thank you so much Marie! I love storing them in the fridge also to add to all the things.

        Reply
    6. Ann

      February 25, 2022 at 4:02 pm

      5 stars
      These are so eaesy and so good! Perfect as a salad topping. Thanks!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        March 01, 2022 at 11:32 am

        Thank you Ann, I agree!!

        Reply
    7. Leslie

      February 26, 2022 at 10:34 am

      5 stars
      Well this is super easy! I love that this pickled onion recipe can be ready in just 30 minutes!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        March 01, 2022 at 11:32 am

        Thank you so much Leslie!

        Reply
    8. silvia

      February 27, 2022 at 5:41 pm

      5 stars
      My kind of recipe, yummy, easy to make and overall, super quick. These onions are amazing on tacos, quesadillas or over eggs.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        March 01, 2022 at 11:32 am

        Thank you Silvia! Love adding them to tacos and eggs!

        Reply
    9. Katie Crenshaw

      February 27, 2022 at 7:53 pm

      5 stars
      I loved how these pickled onions turned out! I made them for a dinner salad. Everyone was raving over them!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        March 01, 2022 at 11:33 am

        Thank you Katie, so happy to hear!

        Reply
    10. Moop Brown

      February 28, 2022 at 6:13 am

      5 stars
      These onions seem super crunchy and versatile and are definitely something I could see going well with a variety of recipes.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        March 01, 2022 at 11:33 am

        Thank you Moop! Love using them in so many different recipes!

        Reply
    11. Marlene

      September 12, 2022 at 3:51 pm

      5 stars
      I would like to know if I can can these yo get a longer life out of them. I could never use them within a 3 week period. Being preserved in vinegar and sugar I would think they would last longer
      Thank you!
      Marlene

      Reply
      • LaKita

        September 19, 2022 at 5:47 pm

        Yes Marlene, you can get a little more time out of them. This was just a suggestion as not everyone uses the same container or stores it in the refrigerator.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm LaKita, a food blogger living in Northwest/Panhandle Florida. I love creating and sharing recipes that are simple to make and comforting to eat. Follow me for more delicious recipes.

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