Pickled Red Onions (2024)

Pickled red onions are one of the most versatile pickles. Its uses are endless: put them in a sandwich or a burger; use as a condiment/garnish on a taco, potato salad, or a grain bowl. It’s an excellent way to introduce acidity and textureas well as a counterbalance against anything rich or heavy. Plus, its vivid pink color is always visually stunning!

This recipe is a simplestarting point for any type of pickle. While we use it for red onions in this recipe,it can be used topickle many otheringredients including cauliflower, fennel, carrots, etc.

And don't be afraid toexperiment and tweak to your liking! Want a bit more complexity? Mix different types of vinegar (champagne vinegar, rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, etc). Like it a little sweeter? Add more sugar or other sweetener. How about a little kick? Add some red pepper flakes or fresh chiles. A bit more color? Add some dried hibiscus flowers for a deeper reddish color. The possibilities are endless!

Pickled Red Onions (1)

INGREDIENTS*

1 large red onion, 400 grams (sliced)

Pickling liquid
300g vinegar (we prefer champagne vinegar but you can use any vinegar. Pro-tip: combine 2 different types of vinegar for more complexity in flavor)
160g water
50g sugar
10g salt (or to taste)

Optional ingredients to add different flavor profiles and complexity:
Herbs/spices (fresh or dry: oregano, dill, parsley, oregano, etc)
Black peppercorn
Red pepper flakes
Mustard seeds
Bay Leaf

Garlic
Hibiscus

DIRECTIONS

  1. Slice red onions. Remove both ends from onion and halve from root to stem. Thinly slice either in half moons (along the equator) or from root to stem (pole to pole) approximately ⅛” to ¼” inch thick.
  2. Blanch red onions. Bring a medium pot of water to boil to blanch the red onions. This step will help cut the raw onion flavor for those who prefer a milder tasting pickle. If you don’t mind the raw flavor of onions, feel free to skip this step. Once the water is at a boil,submerge onions for about 10-15 seconds. Strain and transfer into a large jar or divide into two smaller jars.
  3. Boil pickling mixture. Whisk all the ingredients for pickling liquid in a pot and bring to a boil making sure salt and sugar dissolve.
  4. Pour hot pickling liquid over onions making sure to cover the onions. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes for the temperature to slightly cool before covering and storing in the refrigerator. They can be usedafter 30 minutes but taste best after it sits for a few days. This will give it the time to pickle the onions all the way through and for all the flavors to meld together as the onions also release their liquid into the brine. They will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator but will be best within the first week.

Tip: When youfinishyour pickles, save the picklingliquid tomake salad dressings or use for any recipes that call for vinegar!

* We recommend using weights as a measurement for more consistent and precise results when following recipes.

Pickled Red Onions (2024)

FAQs

How long will pickled red onions last? ›

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.

Is pickled red onions good for you? ›

What makes pickled red onions so healthy? Red onions are rich in folate, or vitamin B9, which can improve cardiovascular health and reduce your risk of a stroke. Our pickled red onions contain many other vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C.

How do you pickle red onions fast Bobby Flay? ›

Preparation. Bring the vinegar, ¼ cup water, the sugar and the salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Put the onion in a medium bowl, pour the vinegar over, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 2 days before serving.

Can you eat too many pickled onions? ›

Eating a whole jar of pickled onions is not necessarily bad, but it is not recommended. Pickled onions are high in sodium, so eating too many of them can lead to high blood pressure and other health problems. Additionally, pickled onions can be acidic, which can irritate the stomach.

Can you reuse vinegar from pickled red onions? ›

So it is not a good idea to re-use the vinegar as you may bring about fermentation in the ensuing batch. Once you've eaten all the pickles, you could use the remaining vinegar to start a mayonnaise, brine a chicken, flavour a potato salad or liven up a dip.

Why are pickled onions so addictive? ›

Because it is high in salt, this plays a major factor in pickled products' addictive nature . It could also indicate a sign of low blood pressure. 'Pickle juice is also popular with those following a ketogenic diet as they may need more sodium to manage electrolyte balance,' says Shona Wilkinson, aka DR VEGAN.

Are pickled onions good for gut bacteria? ›

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.

Do pickled onions raise blood sugar? ›

These pickled red onions are easy to make, add a delicious zing to just about any dish, and are blood sugar friendly.

Why do people eat pickled onions? ›

Not only are these onions a gorgeous color, but they taste delicious and spice up tacos, salads, or grain bowls! They also compliment so many other foods such as lettuce, eggs, and quinoa plus they have incredible health benefits.

Can you eat pickled onions by themselves? ›

These Quick Pickled Onions are vegan-friendly and perfect to add to any recipe. Eat them on their own, and on top of your favorite salad. I can't wait to teach you how to pickle onions in this 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.

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 do chefs pickle so quickly? ›

Quick pickles are also known as refrigerator pickles. They are simply vegetables that are pickled in a vinegar, water, and salt (sometimes sugar, too) solution and stored in the refrigerator.

Why do pickled onions have a long shelf life? ›

Red wine vinegar: The main ingredient in the vinegar brine which adds acidity, which is crucial for the pickling process. It also helps to preserve the onions and enhance tanginess. To create the ideal environment for a long fridge life, the vinegar used for pickling needs to have at least a 5 percent acidity level.

How long do fermented red onions last in the fridge? ›

Since this is a fermentation with added cultures from the sauerkraut brine, you only need to ferment the onions for a short time. Keep refrigerated and consume within 6 months for full probiotic benefits!

How long does it take for pickled food to go bad? ›

Like all perishable foods, they should be stored in the refrigerator once opened. Assuming nothing has gotten into the jar to cause your pickles to go bad, they should last up to three months in the coldest part of your fridge (i.e. towards the back).

How long after pickling onions can you eat them? ›

Pack the onions into clean, sterilized jars. Pour over the hot vinegar mixture to fill the jars, and check there are no air pockets. Seal the jars and leave to cool. The onions will be ready to eat after about 1 month or better if kept for 2.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 6076

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.