Easy Quick Pickled Onions Recipe - Tasty Yummies (2024)

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Easy Quick Pickled Onions will instantly upgrade just about any dish. We love them on salads, sandwiches and wraps, burgers, pizzas, tacos, eggs and more.

Easy Quick Pickled Onions Recipe - Tasty Yummies (1)

Easy Quick Pickled Onions Recipe - Tasty Yummies (2)

With nearly 8 years of recipes, Tasty Yummies is filled with lots of main dishes and side dishes, special occasion recipes, treats, easy weeknight meals and loads of simple how-tos, but I am always trying to check back in with the staple foods that continuously make appearances in my own kitchen, that might be beneficial for you guys, too. The foods that are on repeat and that I continue to come back to. The ones that offer the most bang for the buck, in terms of flavor vs time involved to prepare.

Quick Pickled Onions are pretty high up on top of that list. Quick Pickled Onions, more specifically quick pickled red onions, these are something I love to have on hand for a pop of flavor and crunch whenever I need it. They are great on top of salads, wraps, burgers, shredded chicken or beef, tacos, pizzas, veggie bowls, on chili or soups and so on.

The nice part of Quick Pickled Onions is that they bring the crunch that fresh, raw onions do but the flavor is far more mellow and less intense. It doesn’t hang on your tongue the way that raw onions can.

Easy Quick Pickled Onions Recipe - Tasty Yummies (3)

The Onion

When it comes to Quick Pickled Onions, the red onion is my favorite. White Vidalia onion is also really lovely. Yellow onion works but I find that it’s just a bit harsher of a flavor.

The Vinegar

I personally prefer apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, the red wine also really brings a nice vibrant color to the onions. You can also use rice vinegar or white wine vinegar, but best to avoid white distilled vinegar, it’s just far too an intense flavor. You can also use a splash of citrus like a squeeze of fresh lime juice or lemon juice, to layer the flavor.

Keep It Simple

I make my Quick Pickled Red Onions just with the vinegar, the onions and a little salt. If you want to season with a little sugar for some sweet balance to the vinegar, go for it. I personally don’t find that it’s necessary and I try to minimize unnecessary sugar in my life. You can also experiment with honey or maple syrup or other sweeteners, just start with very little and adjust from there.

If you want you can also add spices like peppercorns, allspice or cloves, bay leaves, fresh herbs or chili flakes, etc,

Easy Quick Pickled Onions Recipe - Tasty Yummies (4)

How-to Make Quick Pickled Onions

All you do is cut up your onion into slices. With a sharp knife or a mandolin slicer. You can also dice but I personally like the slices and rings better for layering on top of things. Add the onions to a glass jar or bowl. Next pour enough vinegar on them to cover the onions. That’s it. Then you give the vinegar a little time to do its job, it reduces the compounds that bring the typical intense flavor of a raw onion. While marinating in the vinegar the onions soften slightly and you are left with a pleasant burst of bright, tart flavor.

At a minimum, this takes about 15 minutes, though I like to leave for 30 minutes to an hour for THE BEST flavor.

Quick Pickling Other Vegetables

Check out my full how-to for quick pickled vegetables of any kind. These use a more traditional spiced brine, but it’s simple, easy and produces really great results, without the time of traditional pickling.

Easy Quick Pickled Onions Recipe - Tasty Yummies (5)

Easy Quick Pickled Onions Recipe - Tasty Yummies (6)

Easy Quick Pickled Onion Recipe

gluten-free, grain-free, paleo, egg-free, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, AIP,

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 red onion, vidalia onion is also really wonderful here
  • apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, enough to cover the onions, approx 1/2 cup
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt, optional (or more to taste)

options to add:

  • 1 tsp to 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar or other sweetener
  • spices like peppercorns, allspice, bay leaves, etc
  • jalapeno rings
  • garlic

Instructions

  • Thinly slice the onion with a sharp knife or a mandolin slicer.

  • Add the onions to a glass jar or bowl.

  • Pour enough vinegar on them to cover the onions.Add the sea salt and give it a stir to combine.

  • Cover and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

  • Enjoy right away or cover and chill. Drain onions before using.

  • Will keep in the fridge for up to one month.

Notes

Be sure to choose a glass or ceramic container with a lid for your quick pickled onions. Most metals will react with vinegar, and plastic containers will absorb the flavors.

Easy Quick Pickled Onions Recipe - Tasty Yummies (2024)

FAQs

Should onions be cooked before pickling? ›

Blanching also kills many common microbes and that are also eating your food. If you are making pickles that will be refrigerated and eaten soon after they are made, then you Might be OK skipping the blanching process. But if are making food you want to last safely, then it's a step you don't want to miss.

How does Bobby Flay pickled onions? ›

Place the vinegar, 1/4 cup of olive oil, sugar, peppercorns and thyme in a large noncorrosive saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the onions to the hot liquid and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and allow the onions to steep for at least 2 hours or overnight.

What's the best vinegar to pickle onions? ›

I particularly like a mix of white wine and rice vinegar, and apple cider vinegar and white vinegar are a fun tangy combination. These variations are great, but they're totally optional; your quick pickled onions will be delicious even if you stick to the basic recipe!

How long do pickled onions last in vinegar? ›

Pour over the warm vinegar and seal. Cool, then chill and leave to pickle for 2 hrs. Will keep for 6 months unopened, or 2 weeks in the fridge once opened.

What should you not do when pickling? ›

Key rules in pickling to remember:
  1. Never alter vinegar, food or water proportions in a recipe or use a vinegar with unknown acidity.
  2. Use only research tested recipes.
  3. To prevent the growth of botulinum bacteria, you must have a minimum, even level of acid throughout the prepared product.
Aug 3, 2017

Why do you soak pickling onions in salt water? ›

I always like to salt and soak the onions before pickling. This gets rid of the harsh 'bite' that often makes raw-onions unappetizing. Soaking them for a short time in hot water softens the onions slightly, priming them for quicker, more thorough absorption of the vinegar brine.

Is it healthy to eat pickled onions? ›

Pickled red onions can be part of a healthy diet. Adding fermented foods to your diet helps with a healthy gut.

Why are the bacteria killed off in a jar of pickled onions? ›

Pickling solutions are typically highly acidic, with a pH of 4.6 or lower, and high in salt, preventing enzymes from working and micro-organisms from multiplying. Pickling can preserve perishable foods for months. Antimicrobial herbs and spices, such as mustard seed, garlic, cinnamon or cloves, are often added.

What tastes good with pickled onions? ›

In Praise Of Pickled Red Onions
  • With Tacos: Easy Fish Tacos. ...
  • On Pulled Pork Sandwiches: North Carolina Pulled-Pork Barbecue. ...
  • On Burgers: Double-Stack Mushroom and Chicken Cheeseburgers. ...
  • In grilled cheese: Sheet-Pan Grilled Cheese. ...
  • On Hot Dogs and Sausages: Sonoran Hot Dogs with Bacon, Pico de Gallo, and Avocado. ...
  • In Salads:
May 1, 2014

Why are my pickled onions slimy? ›

if your pickled red onions are slimy and limp then you May be cutting them the wrong way. we have two primary ways to slice onions pole to pole or orbital.

Which is better for pickling white or apple cider vinegar? ›

Because apple cider vinegar is made from apples rather than barley, corn rice or wine, it gives pickles a mellower taste. Using a white distilled vinegar, for example, will create a harsher flavour. But as well as being gentler on your palate, using apple cider vinegar also adds health benefits to pickles.

Why boil vinegar for pickling? ›

You take all of your ingredients, apart from the product that is being pickled, and bring them to a boil. The heating process helps activate the flavors in the brine and marry them together. This hot brine is then poured over what is to be pickled and then stored in the refrigerator.

How do you reduce the vinegar taste in pickled onions? ›

If your dish tastes too sour try to add sweetness—think sugar, honey (it's healthy!), cream or even caramelized onions. You can also dilute the dish (same as you would with a dish with too much salt).

Do you have to cook onions before canning? ›

Wash and peel onions. Cover with boiling water, bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Pack onions into hot jars, leaving 1-inch headspace.

Do you cook before pickling? ›

Many folks like to roast or dry vegetables before pickling them. This can bring out new flavors. If you'd like to preserve your vegetables as long as possible, you can Brine them before you pickle them. The extra salt helps with the preservation of your pickled items, and can help with the taste and crispiness as well.

Should onions be cooked first? ›

It doesn't matter what you're cooking... it's just an onion. The idea is to get the onion to caramelize which adds up a lot of flavor to your dish. You can also caramelize the onions and garlic in a separate pan and cook your chicken in a different pan if you want. The more you cook the better you get.

Should I cook onions before blending? ›

blanch onions and then crush them using blender or mixer into puree. You can also make it from raw onions but puree made from blanched onions takes lesser time to cook (turn light brown while sautéing) and it gives better taste to the curry.

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