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You are here: Home / Recipes / Condiments / Pickled Red Onions

Pickled Red Onions

Published January 31, 2022 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

Pickled red onions with text overlay.
Pickled red onions with text overlay.
Pickled red onions with text overlay.
Two images of pickled red onions with text overlay between them.

Quick Pickled Red Onions is a great recipe to have in your repertoire. They keep well in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks and are a wonderful topper for salads, sandwiches, and more. It’s a versatile, healthy topping which adds a big punch of flavor.

Close up of pickled red onions in a canning jar with a small fork lifting a few up.

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In culinary arts school, during garde manger class (cold food preparation), we learned that pickling has long been a means of food preservation. It actually dates back to over 4000 years ago.

Many different fruits, vegetables and other types of foods can be pickled. Other than pickles themselves, one of the most common pickled foods that’s now seen pretty regularly on menus everywhere is pickled onions.

Even if you’re not a fan of red onion (as I am not), you may really enjoy pickled red onions. The flavor changes during the pickling process to a sweeter, tangier taste due to the addition of a small amount of sugar and vinegar.

Why This Recipe Works

Pickled Red Onions are a quick and easy preparation. They are ready to eat in one hour and only require 3 additional ingredients.

This recipe is healthy and low in calories, however pickled onions add a lot of flavor to any dish you decide to add them to.  

These are a very versatile topping! Use them on fish tacos, burgers, salad, pizza and flatbread, sandwiches, pitas, wraps, and kofta. 

How To Make Pickled Red Onions

Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make pickled red onions on a marble background with text overlay.

  • Red Onion
  • Distilled White Vinegar
  • Pickling Salt: pickling salt will give you the best results but kosher salt without additives can be used, as can table salt.
  • Sugar

The full recipe and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Prep!

Cut the onion into 1/4-inch thick slices.

Create!

Red onion slices in a colander.

Combine the vinegar, salt and sugar in a 16 ounce canning jar or glass jar with a lid. Stir until dissolved.

Place the onions in a colander.

Bring the water to a boil in a pot over high heat. Pour over the onions.

Pickled Red Onions in a canning jar with an onion and towel in the background.

Transfer the hot onions to the jar and stir. 

Cover and refrigerate at least an hour before using. The flavor will develop more with time. You will also see the color gradually change from a more purplish-red to a brighter pink.

Present!

Overhead of pickled red onions in a glass jar.

Serve, as desired.

Tips and Techniques

  • You can add pickling spices, other spices, garlic, and/or herbs to enhance the flavor, if desired.
  • Store tightly covered in the refrigerator up for 2-3 weeks.

FAQ’s

How Long Do Pickled Onions Last?

Pickled onions will last 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator. They are at their best quality the first week.

Are Pickled Onions Good For You?

Pickled onions are a low calorie condiment that can add a lot of flavor to your meals. They are often confused with fermented onions, but do not contain the same amounts of probiotics and enzymes as fermented onions. The nutritional benefits are similar to plain red onions but with the addition of a small amount of salt, sugar and vinegar.

Are Pickled Onions Fermented?

Pickled onions are not quite the same as fermented onions. Please reference this guide on how to make fermented onions, if interested.

Recipes To Try With Pickled Red Onions

Asian Ground Pork Tacos
This recipe for Asian Ground Pork Tacos is an incredibly flavorful, fusion-style meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Seasoned ground pork is topped with a zesty cabbage slaw and spicy mayo for a pop of delicious flavor in every bite.
Get The Recipe
Asian Ground Pork Tacos topped with cabbage slaw and spicy mayonnaise on a white plate over a wood board with cilantro, garlic, and a lime in the background
Low Carb Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Loads of spicy Buffalo chicken and a combination of melted cheeses sit on top of a cauliflower crust. This low carb Buffalo Chicken Pizza is crazy delicious and perfect for those following a keto or gluten free diet.
Get The Recipe
Baked Keto Buffalo Chicken Pizza on a Pizza Stone

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Print

Pickled Red Onions

Quick Pickled Red Onions is a great recipe to have in your repertoire. They keep well in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks and are a wonderful topper for salads, sandwiches, and more. It’s a versatile, healthy topping which adds a big punch of flavor.
Course Condiments, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Gluten Free, Low Carb
Prep Time 5 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 10 servings
Calories 13kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups distilled white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon pickling salt (see notes)
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 medium red onion
  • 6 cups water

Instructions

  • Combine the vinegar, salt and sugar in a 16 ounce mason or glass jar that has a lid. Mix until dissolved.
    1 1/2 cups distilled white vinegar, 1 teaspoon pickling salt, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • Cut the onion in 1/4-inch thick slices and place in a colander.
    1 medium red onion
  • Bring the water to a boil. Pour over the onions.
    6 cups water
  • Transfer the onions to the glass gar with the vinegar and put on the lid.
  • Place the jar into the refrigerator. Let sit for at least an hour before enjoying.

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • You can add pickling spices, other spices, garlic, and/or herbs to enhance the flavor, if desired.
  • Store tightly covered in the refrigerator up for 2-3 weeks.
 
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 13kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 241mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

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Filed Under: Condiments, Gluten Free, Recipes, Side Dishes

Comments

  1. Freya says

    May 15, 2022 at 10:11 am

    I love pickled onions, my favourite thing to put on burgers and hot dogs!

    Reply
  2. Katie Crenshaw says

    May 13, 2022 at 7:26 am

    I made these pickled onions for a backyard cookout I was hosting. They were so easy to make and everyone was piling them on their burgers. I will definitely be making more to keep on hand at all times in the fridge.

    Reply
  3. Annie says

    May 12, 2022 at 1:27 pm

    I love having these pickled onions stocked in my fridge at all times! They’re the perfect topping for sandwiches, salads, ramen, you name it!

    Reply
  4. Heather says

    May 11, 2022 at 4:14 pm

    I had no idea how easy making your own pickled red onions! These were perfect to top a burger with!

    Reply
  5. Jacqueline Debono says

    May 11, 2022 at 1:05 pm

    We eat a lot of red onions here in Italy but this was the first time I’d pickled them. Goodness how delicious. Will be making them regularly as think they’ll be delicious with summer grills!

    Reply
  6. Amanda Mason says

    May 10, 2022 at 7:47 pm

    HOw easy was this recipe to make!! I love red onions and add them to so many things so when I found out I could pickle them, I found your recipe and tried it. So good! Who knew pickling could be so easy!!

    Reply
  7. mikayla says

    May 10, 2022 at 3:16 pm

    I just had to give these a try. After only 12 hours I used a few slices on a grilled cheese sandwich, winning combination. Thank you and I can only imagine how much better it will be after a week or two soaking.

    Reply
  8. Colleen says

    May 10, 2022 at 1:08 pm

    These pickled red onions are so easy to make and we love them on burgers and tacos. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  9. Marta says

    May 9, 2022 at 9:16 pm

    We make a fried cheese, fried salami, and plantain mash that we serve with pickled onions so I added your version and they were sheer perfection.

    Reply
  10. Nancy says

    May 9, 2022 at 8:00 pm

    Such an easy recipe to follow. Loved the flavor and now there’s no excuse not to have pickled red onions in the fridge all the time.

    Reply

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Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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