Quick Pickled Red Onions

This Quick Pickled Red Onions recipe transforms regular red onions into a sweet, tangy, and zesty side and topping all in one jar. Prep a batch and pull them out for burgers, sandwiches, salads, and so much more. They're absolutely delicious!

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Tangy, sweet red onions

They’re sweet, they’re tangy, and they elevate any dish with flavor and vibrancy! These Quick Pickled Red Onions are just waiting to be incorporated into your next meal. 😊

I’ve had people tell me that they’ve never cooked with so much red onion before trying my recipes. It’s true, I use them a ton! That's because they add so much flavor and have a nice crunch. And they have so much more dimension when pickled! What I love most about these pickled red onions is their zippy bite. You get an explosion of sweetness and tang in your mouth that will keep you going back for more and more.

I use both white vinegar and apple cider vinegar in this pickled onion recipe. I think it creates a nice, zesty taste. Of course, you don't have to use both, but I encourage you to give this a try!

Think pickled onions can only be eaten raw? Think again. When they’re sautéed or caramelized, OH they’re DELISH.

Ingredients and seasonings for pickling red onions quickly

White Vinegar: Ideal for pickling veggies like onions! It has a clean and zingy taste.

Apple Cider Vinegar: This type of vinegar is also great for pickling. It'll help give a hint of sweetness.

Stevia: I like to add just a little bit more sweetness to balance out the strong, bitter flavors.

Dill: Gives our pickled onions a little bit of an earthy and citrusy undertone. Trust me, the flavor is great!

Salt + Pepper: Just a pinch! You can add more to taste if you'd like.

Red Onion: To pickle, of course. The vinegars really bring out the strong flavor this vegetable already has.

Jalapeno: For a little spice!

Optional ingredients:

Red Pepper Flakes: Optional if you'd like to turn up the heat even more. Not that these are terribly spicy on their own, but the jalapeno does add some heat.

Garlic: You could use a clove for a little more dimension.

Peppercorn Flakes: Again, for more flavor dimension.

Pickled Onions {Easy in a Mason Jar}

To make Quick Pickled Red Onions, you'll need a spoon, cutting board, small bowl or jar, measuring cups and spoons, and a knife.

How to make homemade quick pickled red onions

1. Thinly slice your red onion, roughly ⅛” thick. Slice jalapeno in similar fashion.
2. Pour white vinegar and apple cider vinegar in a mason jar. Sprinkle in stevia. Then, tighten the lid and shake until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Place red onions, jalapenos, dill, salt, and pepper in the jar. Ensure that the vegetables are completely submerged. 
4. Mix in additional seasonings if you have any.
5. Refrigerate for 24-48 hours. 
6. Once the onions are bright pink and tender, they'll be perfectly pickled! Enjoy!

Best ways to use quick pickled red onions

While I could eat these pickled onions by themselves as a snack (I swear, it's not weird!), they taste great in a variety of meals, making them a great meal prep option. Make a big batch, keep them in the fridge, and bring them out for...

• Burgers: The tart and tangy taste pairs so well with a delicious, juicy burger. These pickled onions taste great no matter what kind of protein you use and with a wide range of cheeses. Juicy burger + juicy onions = *chef's kiss*
• Tacos: Pickled onions taste great wrapped between a warm tortilla, lettuce, tomato, and taco seasoning. They'll still add great texture despite being a little softer than raw onion and amazing flavor dimension.
• Nachos: Top a steamy plate of nachos with these sweet and tangy onions for a mouth-watering combination of flavor. Plus, they're pretty! Just like tacos, nachos have similar flavors that these onions work so well with
• Sandwiches or wraps: Pickled onions with deli meat and condiments are absolute magic. Their bright flavor and texture is a great addition to your lunch!
• Salads: Substitute these in place of regular raw onion and get ready to really taste the difference. While raw red onion is bitter, these will bring the best sweetness.

Suggestions and recommendations

What's the best way to store pickled red onions?
Store the pickled onions in the mason jar that you make them in! The less dishes, the better!

Any tips for success?
Let the onions marinate for at least 24 hours so they soak up all the flavors. Also, slice the onions thin! I usually aim for about ⅛” thickness. You can use a vegetable slicer if you want to be exact.

Do I need to use both white and apple cider vinegar?
You don't have to, but I think using both gives the onions an incredible zesty flavor. Use what you have on hand! Pickled onions in white vinegar will be a little tangier and pickled onions in apple cider vinegar will be a little sweeter.

Are these pickled onions spicy?
This recipe is very mild. The jalapenos add flavor, but overall, the onions are pretty zesty and sweet. If you’re worried about spice, I’d recommend scaling back on the red pepper flakes (if you choose to add them) as opposed to the jalapeno.

Are these pickled onions suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! In my opinion, the longer they marinate, the better they are.

Can I freeze the pickled onions?
No. I don't recommend freezing these onions,

Do I have to add sugar to these pickled onions?
They’ll be very fragrant and pungent thanks to the vinegar if you omit the sugar. I don't recommend it. You can use a natural sweetener like honey if you’d like, instead. Get really fancy and use Mike’s Spicy Honey.

How can you pickle something quickly?
I don't recommend you rush the pickling process. It takes at least 24 hours for your ingredients to marinate and really absorb flavor through pickling. Trying to go any faster will result in poor quality.

Are pickled onions healthy?
I'd say they are relatively healthy. None of the ingredients are bad for you, but this recipe does include added sugar. As I mentioned, you can omit that if you'd like.

Craving more pickles?? Try these recipes

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers

Buffalo Chicken Wrap

The Best Mediterranean Salad

Skinny Turkey Enchiladas

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved, something that you think it might need, or just say hi!

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