In just 30 minutes, you can whip up these tangy, crunchy Quick Pickled Red Onions with six simple ingredients. They add a burst of flavor to any dish, making everything from tacos to salads even better!
If you’re looking for more delicious recipes featuring onions, try Healthy French Onion Soup for a lighter take on the classic. Craving a creamy dip? Caramelized Onion Dip is a must-try.
In This Post You'll Find:
I know I use the word magical quite a lot here on ASPC. I've said it about my Cauliflower Rice, my Cassava Flour Tortillas, and my Healthy No-Bake Cheesecake, to name a few. Whenever something is impressive, easy to make, and delicious, it’s magical. And I’ll use it again today to describe pickled onions.
Because pickled onions change everything for the better: sandwiches, salads, wraps, burgers, tacos. EVERYTHING!
If you're looking for more delicious toppings, try Pico de Gallo for a fresh, zesty kick. If you want more of a tangy crunch, Homemade Dill Pickles are a great addition to sandwiches and burgers.
This recipe is so easy to make, and I love how pickling transforms the crunchy and pungent red onions into crispy, tangy, and sweet pickled onions. So. Dang. Good.
Watch Me Make Quick Pickled Red Onions
The best part? Pickling onions at home is actually a quick process! And I'll show you how to do it in less than 30 minutes. This flavorful topping with magical abilities will make your dishes more interesting, flavorful, and so yummy.
Reasons You'll Love It
- Ready in just 30 minutes with minimal effort.
- Adds a tangy, slightly sweet crunch to any dish.
- Made with simple, wholesome ingredients.
- Stays fresh in the fridge for weeks.
Ingredients For Quick Pickled Red Onions
Red Onion: The star of this recipe, red onions turn a vibrant pink and develop a mild, slightly sweet bite when pickled. For more information on different types of onions and their flavors, check out the Cooking 101: What's the Difference Between Onions?
White Vinegar: Provides the classic tangy pickled flavor and acts as a natural preservative.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a subtle sweetness and extra depth to the brine.
Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that balances the acidity without refined sugar. For alternative natural sweeteners, check out 7 Healthy Sugar Substitutes + One I NEVER Use.
Pro Tips
Making pickled onions is easy-peasy, but I have some tips for how to make the process even easier. Plus, it will make your pickled onions better. 🙂
- While the shape of pickled onion is entirely up to you, for onions, I feel that slicing them thinly into rings will give you the best results. They'll hold up better to the acid from the vinegar better this way.
- Use fresh onions – slightly bruised onions are better for soups (like this French Onion Soup) or other dishes, but for pickling, you want your onions to be in their best shape.
- Choose red onions for optimal flavor. There's just something so amazingly sweet and tangy as a red onion when it's pickled. You can add in different types of onions, like white or yellow, but red onions will have the best flavor.
How To Slice Onions For Pickled Onions
You have 2 options here – you can use a mandoline or you can slice onions without one, using a sharp knife.
If you are using a spiralizer instead, the Spiralizer Beginner's Guide offers guidance on spiralizing onions for various recipes.
Either way, we want to be slicing onions lengthwise (from root to stem) or as onion rings, is best because they will hold their shape better once pickled.
How To Slice Onions For Pickled Onions With A Mandoline
- peel the onion and cut off the stem and root;
- place the mandoline on a cutting board;
- choose a slicing blade for thin slices;
- if your onion is too bulky, cut it in half;
- place the onion on the blade then place the hand guard on the onion;
- run the onion up and down on the slicing blade – make sure you have a good grip on the hand guard!
How To Slice Onions For Pickled Onions Without A Mandoline
- start by cutting off the stem and roots but make sure you keep the root end intact (this will help to keep the onion together while you slice it);
- then peel the onion;
- place the onion with the stem side down and cut it in half, then place the onion halves cut side down on the cutting board and start cutting thin slices – cut along the natural lines of the onion or don't cut it in half and cut as you would do for onion rings;
- cut until you’re close to the root but not all the way to the root;
- cut the root end that keeps the onion slices together.
- break apart the onion slices.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1: Thinly slice the red onion into rings for even pickling.
- Step 2: Place the onion slices into a mason jar, pressing them down.
- Step 3: Heat vinegar, water, salt, and maple syrup, then pour over the onions.
- Step 4: Allow the onions to soak, then refrigerate before serving.
Quick Pickled Onions Go Well With:
- Tacos – The texture and acidity add something special to your favorite taco recipes. Try these on my Slow Cooker Green Chile Pork Tacos.
- Pulled pork sandwiches – pickled red onions + pulled pork = PERFECTION (BTW, I have an awesome Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe that you should try).
- Burgers – burgers + pickled onions is another delicious combo. Try this Pesto And Gat Cheese Burger.
- Salads – adding pickled onions to salads like my Fig, Pistachio, and Goat Cheese Salad is a great way to add flavor and texture.
More Easy Topping Recipes
If you're like me and love all the toppings, try out these other great recipes.
Recipe FAQs
Pickling is basically a process that helps you to preserve veggies or to extend their lifespan.
For my quick pickled onions, I used a combination of distilled white vinegar and apple cider vinegar.
For this pickled onions recipe, I used a 1-pint (473 ml) mason jar, but you can use bigger ones if you want to double or triple the recipe.
I like using mason jars because they are durable, reusable, and eco-friendly. They also have a great airtight seal with the lid which is super important for pickled onions and any quick pickle in general. Plus they can be refrigerated. Check out my Ultimate Guide To Meal Prep Containers for my favorite jars.
One of the best things about pickled onions is they last for up to 2 weeks in the fridge so you can grab them any time for those two weeks and add them to your meals for a tasty, vinegary topping. Using an airtight container will help keep them as fresh as possible, so make sure to use a sealable air-tight container.
Quick Pickled Red Onions
*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (115g) red onion (1 medium, very thinly sliced
- ½ cup (118 ml) water
- ¼ cup (59 ml) distilled white vinegar
- ¼ cup (59 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ tbsp. (22 ml) pure maple syrup
- 1 ½ tsp. sea salt
Instructions
- To make the quick pickled onions, press the sliced onions into a 1-pint (473 ml mason jar) or similar heat-safe container. Place the jar in the sink, as this will help to catch any splashes of hot vinegar later.
- In a small saucepan, combine the water, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, and sea salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then carefully pour the heated mixture into the jar over the onions.
- Use a spoon to press the onions down into the vinegar and remove any air bubbles in the jar.
- Let the pickled onions cool to room temperature, about 25-30 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Use a sharp knife or a mandoline to ensure thin, uniform slices. This helps the onions absorb the pickling liquid evenly, leading to better flavor and texture.
- While you can eat them after 30 minutes, they taste even better after a few hours or overnight. The longer they sit, the deeper the flavor develops.
- The balance of vinegar and sweetener can be adjusted to taste. If you prefer a tangier result, use less sweetener; for a milder taste, add a little more.
- Keep your pickled onions in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks. Always use a clean fork to remove onions to prevent contamination.
Lacey Baier
I'm so glad you're here to try these Quick Pickled Red Onions! This recipe is one of my favorites because it's so easy and adds the perfect tangy crunch to everything from tacos to salads. It only takes 30 minutes, but the flavor payoff is huge! Let me know how you use them—I’d love to hear your favorite ways to enjoy these!