Learn how to make quick pickled red onions in just 30 minutes with 5 easy ingredients!
All you need are 5 basic ingredients, about 5 minutes of prep time, plus another 30 minutes to let the marinade work it’s quick-pickling magic. Then a delicious batch of pickled red onions can be yours to enjoy immediately! (No long brining times or canning required!)
We’re big fans here in our house of serving pickled red onions with all sorts of Mexican dishes, from tacos to burritos, enchiladas, soups, salads, nachos, chilaquiles and more. But pickled red onions can also liven up everything from burgers to curries, pizza to falafel, eggs to potato salad and beyond. Basically anytime you need an extra pop of tangy, colorful, zippy flavor to balance out your dish, these quick pickled red onions are here for you.
Before we get to the full recipe below, here are a few notes about the ingredients you will need to make this quick pickled onions recipe…
Detailed instructions are included in the full recipe below, but here’s a brief overview of the process for pickling onions:
There are so many ways to customize your own quick pickled red onion recipe. For example, you can…
There are so many delicious ways to use pickled red onions! Some of my favorites include…
This quick pickled red onions recipe is easy to make in just 30 minutes with just 5 ingredients. See notes above for extra seasonings that you are welcome to add in too.
Slicing the onions: If you happen to own a mandoline, it is a great way to slice the onions very thinly. Otherwise, you can just use a chef’s knife. The thinner that you slice the onions, the faster they will pickle.
Microwave option: Alternately, you can heat the vinegar mixture in the microwave until it reaches a simmer and then add it to the onions, as directed.
Recipe edit: Per reader feedback, an extra 1/4 cup of water was added to this recipe in 2021, as well as an option for par-blanching the onions to mellow out their flavor if desired. Thank you for your reviews and suggestions that help make our recipes better!
Pickled Red Onions
Pickled red onions add a sweet & tangy pop of flavor to salads, sandwiches, burgers, and more! Once you make them, they’ll keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Prep: 5min
Total: 10min
Ingredients:
- 2 small red onions
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 1/3 cup cane sugar
- 2 tablespoons sea salt
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon mixed peppercorns
Instruction:
- Thinly slice the onions (it’s helpful to use a mandoline), and divide the onions between 2 (16-ounce) jars or 3 (10-ounce) jars. Place the garlic and peppercorns in each jar, if using
- Heat the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve, about 1 minute. Let cool and pour over the onions. Set aside to cool to room temperature, then store the onions in the fridge.
- Your pickled onions will be ready to eat once they’re bright pink and tender – about 1 hour for very thinly sliced onions, or overnight for thicker sliced onions. They will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Quick Pickled Red Onions
This quick pickled red onions recipe is easy to make in just 30 minutes with just 5 ingredients. See notes above for extra seasonings that you are welcome to add in too.
Prep: 5min
Total: 35min
Yield: 2
Ingredients:
- 1 large red onion, peeled and very thinly sliced*
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1-2 tablespoons sweetener (such as maple syrup, honey, sugar, etc.)
Instruction:
- In a small saucepan, stir together the vinegar, water, salt and your desired amount of sweetener. Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture reaches a simmer. (Or alternately, you can heat the mixture in the microwave.)
- Place the thinly-sliced onions in a mason jar. Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the onions, screw on the lid, and shake the onions briefly until they are evenly coated with the vinegar mixture.
- Let the onions marinate for 30 minutes. (You may need to press the onions down with a spoon so that they are all submerged under the vinegar mixture.)
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate the onions in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.
Quick-Pickled Red Onions
Make a batch of these easy, fast pickled red onions, and use them on everything you’re eating. They’re the ideal condiment for tacos, grain bowls, and more.
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: Makes about ½ cup
Ingredients:
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. sugar
- 1½ tsp. kosher salt
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
Instruction:
- Whisk first 3 ingredients and 1 cup water in a small bowl until sugar and salt dissolve. Place onion in a jar; pour vinegar mixture over. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Do Ahead: Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover and chill. Drain onions before using. Editor’s note: This recipe was originally published in our June 2012 issue and first appeared online in May 2012. Head this way for more of our favorite red onion recipes →
Pickled Red Onions
Everyone should have a jar of this pickled red onion recipe in their refrigerator at all times. I put them on everything and they keep for weeks, if they last that long. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
Prep: 10min
Total: 10min
Yield: 8 servings.
Nutrition Facts: calories 8 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 121mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges: Free food.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup water
- 2/3 cup white wine or cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- Optional: fresh rosemary, thyme or dill sprigs, whole black peppercorns, small dried chili or garlic clove
Instruction:
In a bowl, whisk together the first four ingredients until sugar and salt dissolve. Place onions and optional ingredients, if desired, into large glass jar; pour vinegar mixture over onions. Seal and let stand at least 2 hours at room temperature. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Easy Pickled Red Onions Recipe
FAQ
How long do pickled red onions last?
How to pickle red onions fast bobby flay?
Are pickled red onions good for gut?
Fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut or pickled red onions contain high amounts of good probiotics and digestive enzymes. Maintaining a healthy gut flora can aid your digestion and overall energy levels.
Can you pickle red onions without white vinegar?
