These Quick Pickled Red Onions are made with just 5 ingredients and in just 5 minutes! They’re a simple and tasty way to elevate any dish, from burgers, tacos, nachos, salads and more.
Follow my step-by-step instructions to learn how to make these delicious No Cook pickled onions in a jiffy.
About my homemade Quick picked red onions recipe
As always my recipes are super easy and takes only 5 minutes to make! You just need red onions, vinegar, salt, sugar, and hot water from the kettle.
Once you mix everything together, the onions rest in the jar for an hour or more, soaking up all the delicious flavours. I recommend giving them at least an hour before serving to get the best taste. And the good news is that you can store them in mason jars or any airtight container in the fridge for up to a month!
I love serving these pickled onions with my vegan chickpea tikka masala and homemade naan – they make such a terrific combo! But, they’re also amazing on my vegan Buddha bowls. Trust me, you’ll love them!
Ingredients for pickling Red Onion
If you’re looking for an easy and flavourful way to add some zing to your dishes, pickled red onions are a great option. And the best part is, all the ingredients needed are likely already in your pantry!
- Onions: I prefer Red onions, but you can also use white onions or a combination of both.
- Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a subtle sweetness. Alternatively you can also use white vinegar or distilled vinegar. The acidity helps to preserve the onions.
- Salt: Essential in pickling as it draws out moisture and intensifies flavor.
- Maple syrup or sugar: Balances the acidity and adds sweetness. Adjust the amount based on preference.
- Hot water: Preferred over warm water to speed up the pickling process and help dissolve the salt and sugar. Just use boiling hot water from the kettle.
How to thinly sliced red onions?
To thinly slice red onions for pickling, a mandolin slicer is highly recommended. Set the slicer to 1/16th inch thickness and slice the onions uniformly. If you don’t have a mandolin slicer, use a sharp knife and steady hand. Investing in a mandolin slicer can save time and energy in the kitchen.
How to make Quick Pickled red onions?
- Prepare the Brine/Pickling Mixture: Mix apple cider vinegar, salt, and sugar in a small bowl. Pour hot water and stir until combined.
- Stuff Onion in Jar: Put the sliced red onions crosswise into a Mason Jar.
- Pour the Brine/Pickling Mixture: Pour the prepared brine into the mason jar, ensuring that the onions are completely submerged.
- Rest the Pickled Onions: Let the pickled onions sit for at least one hour or more to allow the flavours to deepen.
- Serve: Your pink pickled onions are now ready to be served.
Serving Suggestions
Quick pickled red onions are a versatile and delicious condiment that pairs well with a variety of dishes. Some serving suggestions for using pickled onions:
- Top off your burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches with a generous helping of pickled onions for an extra zing of flavour.
- Add a few slices of pickled onions to your tacos, quesadillas, buddha bowl and burritos to give them an extra crunch and tangy taste.
- Serve pickled onions alongside your favourite Indian meal – Saag Chana, Tarka dal and roti.
With its tangy and crisp taste, quick pickled onions are an easy and versatile condiment that can elevate any dish.
Storing Quick Pickled Red Onions
Store the leftover pickled red onions in the mason jar, sealed tightly, in the fridge for up to a month. The pickled onions will taste tangy, crisp, and mildly sweet-tart, making them a perfect addition to any dish.
FAQ’s
What type of vinegar should I use for this recipe?
You should use apple cider vinegar for this recipe, as it adds a subtle sweetness to the recipe and is great for pickling any vegetable. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can use white vinegar or distilled vinegar instead.
Apple cider vinegar is made with fermented apple juice, and it has a fruity flavour that blends well with spices. It also darkens the vegetables and intensifies the flavours in the brine.
Should I use Hot Water or Warm Water for the Pickled Onion recipe?
Boiling Hot water is absolutely essential for this quick recipe for Pickled Onions because it’s a no-cook recipe, and hot water plays an essential role in the recipe.
Can I pickle other types Of onions?
Certainly! You can pickle white onions, shallots, red onions, or even a combination of onions. However, red onions lend that vibrant “pink pickled onion” color!
What is Brine?
The pickling mixture is made with apple cider vinegar, salt, sugar, and water, and it is known as brine.
How to create a special occasion Pickled onion jar?
If you want to create a special occasion pickled onions, you can add bay leaf, peppercorn, or chilli to the jar to add a decorative touch and allow the flavours to mature.
How to make Quick Pickled Red Onions recipe?
Ingredients
- 1 medium red onion sliced thin
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup hot water from the kettle
Instructions
- Start by thinly slicing a red onion. A mandolin slicer set to 1/16th thickness works well for this.1 medium red onion
- Next, add the sliced onions crosswise to a sterilised jar.1 medium red onion
- In a small bowl, combine vinegar, salt, maple syrup, and boiling hot water.½ cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp salt, 1 cup hot water
- Mix the pickling mixture well and pour it over the onions in the jar.
- Allow the onions to soak in the pickling mixture for at least an hour, or longer if desired.
- Once the onions have reached room temperature, transfer the jar to the refrigerator to store for up to a month.
Julia says
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I have’t tried pickling onions myself, but this recipe seems pretty easy!
Erika says
I love how simple these are to make! Plus, they are perfect for my onion and tomato salad I like to make!
Jessica Formicola says
I can’t wait to make a batch of these! I love putting them on burgers and hot dogs!
Kushigalu says
Pickled onions are my favorite. Love to use them on salads. Your method looks perfect