Description
This quick and easy recipe for Pickled Red Onions provides a tangy, vibrant condiment that adds a burst of flavor to tacos, salads, sandwiches, and more. Made with simple pantry ingredients like apple cider vinegar, sugar, and spices, these pickled onions come together in just 20 minutes, making them a perfect quick pickle for enhancing any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pickling Brine
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns (optional)
- 1 small dried chili (optional)
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch thick)
- 1-2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the onions: Peel the red onion and thinly slice it into rings approximately 1/8 inch thick, which is ideal for quick pickling.
- Make the pickling brine: In a small saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Add the optional black peppercorns, garlic cloves, dried chili, and bay leaf for extra flavor.
- Heat the brine: Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir occasionally until the sugar and salt are fully dissolved, about 2-3 minutes.
- Pack onions into jar: Place the sliced onions tightly into a clean, heat-safe glass jar, such as a mason jar.
- Pour brine over onions: Carefully pour the hot vinegar mixture over the onions, making sure they are completely submerged. Press onions down with a spoon if needed to remove air pockets.
- Cool before sealing: Let the jar cool to room temperature, approximately 20-30 minutes, before sealing it to prevent condensation inside the jar.
- Seal and refrigerate: Once cooled, seal the jar tightly and refrigerate the pickled onions.
- Let flavors develop: Allow the onions to pickle for at least one hour before using, though they taste best after sitting for a full day.
Notes
- Use thinly sliced onions to ensure quick pickling and optimal flavor absorption.
- Optional spices like garlic, chili, and bay leaf add complexity but can be omitted for a cleaner vinegar flavor.
- Pickled onions will keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
- Use in tacos, salads, sandwiches, burgers, or as a tangy garnish for any savory dish.
- If you prefer a sweeter pickle, increase sugar by 1-2 teaspoons.
