Sweet Pickled Red Onions are a breeze to make, and they add so much flavor to so many dishes. I love to add them to my brats, steak, burgers, sandwiches, bowls, and omelets. Enjoy them on all your favorite Mexican dishes like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, huevos rancheros, and fajitas. In less than 10 minutes, you can have a whole batch of these tasty onions at your disposal, ready to add to all your favorite recipes.
How to pickle red onions
First, cut your onions thin by using a sharp knife or mandoline. While you are slicing the onions, add the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt to a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves. Turn off the heat and let it cool for just a couple of minutes.
Add the sliced onions to a clean, sealable jar. Then add just a few peppercorns, a clove of garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to each jar. Fill the jar with the hot pickling liquid mixture making sure to cover all the red onions. Let them cool to room temperature before putting the lids on and placing them in the fridge. They will last about 3 weeks in the fridge.
Tips for the best pickled onions
- If using 1 large jar, add 2 garlic cloves, about 1 teaspoon of peppercorns, and about 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
- These quick pickled onions need to be refrigerated. They are not shelf stable.
- Slice the onions thin but not too thin. I like mine with a little bit of substance for burgers, brats, and sandwiches, but you can slice them thinner if you like. A mandoline comes in very handy for slicing them super thin.
- Use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or champagne vinegar in the brine.
- I like my pickled onions to taste a little on the sweet side. If you are watching your sugar cut it back to a tablespoon or 2.
- For a more natural sweetener, use honey or maple syrup.
- Repurpose a used mason jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Other spices and dried and fresh herbs to experiment with include mustard seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, rosemary, oregano, thyme, cinnamon, or allspice.
- This recipe works for other onions like yellow onions or Vidalia Onions.
- Store the pickled onions in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
What to put pickled onions on
- Sandwiches – add a little sweet crunch to your favorite deli sandwich.
- Tacos – delicious on fish tacos or shrimp tacos.
- Salads – instead of adding plain onions, jazz it up a bit with quick pickled onions.
- Burgers – they add so much flavor to beef, turkey, and vegan burgers.
- Brats and Hotdogs – these plus spicy mustard equals heaven.
- Eggs – try them on scrambled eggs or omelets
- Tostadas – beef and chicken
- Enchiladas – adds flavor to beef, chicken, and cheese
- Potato Salad – takes it to the next level.
- Nachos – one of our favorites
- Quesadillas – delicious nestled in with the cheese.
- Cocktail Garnish – pickle some pearl onions and use them in a Gibson, a cocktail made with gin and garnished with pickled onions.
More onion recipes to try!
Quick Pickled Red Onion Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 small red onions cut in half and sliced thin
- 1 cup white vinegar or cider vinegar see notes
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup sugar see notes
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 small cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Add the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt to a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves. Turn off the heat and let it cool for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the sliced onions to clean resealable jars. Add a few peppercorns, a clove of garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to each jar. Fill the jar with the hot liquid making sure to cover all the red onions. Cool the jars to room temperature before putting the lids on and placing them in the fridge.
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Notes
- If using 1 large jar, add 2 garlic cloves, about 1 teaspoon of peppercorns, and about 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
- These quick pickled onions need to be refrigerated. They are not shelf stable.
- Slice the onions thin but not too thin. I like mine with a little bit of substance for burgers, brats, and sandwiches, but you can slice them thinner if you like. A mandoline comes in very handy for slicing them super thin.
- Use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or champagne vinegar in the brine.
- I like my pickled onions to taste a little on the sweet side. If you are watching your sugar cut it back to a tablespoon or 2.
- For a more natural sweetener, use honey or maple syrup.
- Repurpose a used mason jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Other spices and dried and fresh herbs to experiment with include mustard seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, rosemary, oregano, thyme, cinnamon, or allspice.
- This recipe works for other onions like yellow onions or Vidalia Onions.
- Store the pickled onions in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Nutrition
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Edgar
Wow….they turn out so good, you may not even think of them as onions! I think I will make them for my tacos and bread!
Alita Pacio
Pickled red onions have been an indispensable ingredient in my Mums kitchen for years. Not only are they a gorgeous, vibrant pink, but they’re tangy, sweet, and a little crunchy. Now, I want to make my own too. Thanks for this.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Alita! Enjoy!
Nikki Wayne
Wow! What a really delicious and easy to make recipe! These pickled onions are good on so many things. Try them in quesadillas, sandwiches, wraps, omelets.
Stephanie
This would be a great condiment to have in my home! Thanks for the suggestions on dishes to use the pickled onions with.
JoAnn
These were amazing, then decided to do some English cucumbers this way also and it was fantastic also. Thank you
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, JoAnn!
Andrea
These look delicious, can you water bath or pressure can these to preserve longer?
Beth Pierce
Not sure! My late mother-in-law canned a lot. Perhaps the readers will know.
Jacqueline Kubik
I put these on my bacon butty with some hp sauce. Absolutely delicious!
Kris
These were perfectly spiced! Can’t wait to make again! 🙂
Catalina
These were easy and delicious! Thanks for the great recipe.
Mirlene
I always make a jar of these pickled red onions. I usually use apple cider vinegar. I stuff them in sandwiches when I make them for my kids lunch.
Beth Pierce
They are so yummy!
Amanda
This is the perfect pickled red onions recipe! I love having a jar in my fridge.
Beth Pierce
Thanks! I agree!
Sandra
I love pickled red onions and this one is definitely a keeper! So flavorful!
Kelley
So easy and fast! I used these on some sandwiches and scrambled eggs!
Amy Nash
I’m obsessed with these pickled red onions! They are so good and add so much flavor!
Priya Srinivasan
Oh i love pickled onions in my salads and sandwiches! Such a quick and easy recipe to make at home!
estee
These are perfect for burger and taco night! thanks!!
Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert
These are delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Erik
Such an easy recipe. Exited to out this on burgers and sandwiches!