Add extra flavor to your meals with pickled red onions. This quick and straightforward recipe will add a pop of flavor to your favorite foods.
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With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a tangy and colorful condiment that will take your meals to the next level. Not only do they add a pop of vibrant color to your plate, but their delicious tanginess also provides a delightful contrast to rich or savory flavors.
Making pickled red onions is easier than you might think and you are going to love this recipe. They are perfect for adding zing to simple main dishes like air fryer chicken leg quarters or pan-fried pork chops.
Reasons to Love
- Flavor enhancement. The pickling process infuses the onions with a unique combination of sweet, sour, and savory flavors. They provide a burst of freshness that complements rich or heavy foods perfectly.
- Easy preparation. You only need basic ingredients and the quick pickling method allows you to enjoy homemade pickled onions within an hour or so.
- Prolonged shelf life. One of the key benefits of pickling is that it extends the shelf life of vegetables significantly compared to their raw form by preserving them in acidic solutions such as vinegar or lemon juice. Pickled onions can last weeks when stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
The key to the perfect pickled red onions is the balance of sweet, sour, and savory elements. By combining ordinary ingredients, you'll get a versatile condiment that adds a pop of zing to your dishes.
Here are the items you'll need to make pickled onions:
- red onion
- red wine vinegar
- boiled water
- light brown sugar
- black peppercorns
- salt
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, it’s time to start pickling. So, grab a measuring cup, a cutting board, and a mason jar to prepare the onions.
In a measuring cup with pour spout, combine red wine vinegar and water. Add sugar and salt. Stir until completely dissolved.
Slice the onions using a sharp knife. Remove top and end tips - tunic, basal plate, and roots. Cut in half then slice red onions thinly.
Transfer thinly sliced red onions and black peppercorns in a clean glass container, preferably a glass jar with lid.
Give the red wine vinegar mixture a good stir then pour over red onions. Press red onions, making sure that every slice is fully submerged into the liquid.
Allow the red wine vinegar mixture to completely cool. Tightly cover the glass jar. Place the jar of pickled onions in the refrigerator to chill before serving with your favorite meaty mains.
Hint: Allow the onions to sit in the pickling mixture for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance the overall flavor and make them more tangy.
Variations
Want to change up the flavor? Here are some easy ways to modify the quick pickled red onions recipe:
- Seasoning - experiment with herbs and spices like mustard seeds or red pepper flakes.
- Onions - Experiment with various types of onions like white or yellow onions to create unique pickled onion variations. White onions offer a milder flavor, while yellow onions have a slightly stronger taste.
- Vinegar - try using different vinegars such as balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar, white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar in your pickling liquid. Each type of vinegar adds its distinct tangy note to the pickled red onions. you can even try using white wine instead.
Check out my bacon-wrapped onion rings recipe, which adds an unexpected maple syrup glaze. It's another great recipe featuring onion.
Tips
Top tip: For the best texture and flavor, thinly slice the red onions. A mandoline or a sharp knife works well for achieving consistently thin slices.
- Add a pinch of salt to the sliced onions before pouring the pickling liquid over them. This not only enhances the flavor but also helps to draw out excess moisture from the onions, ensuring they maintain a crisp texture in the pickling process.
- Allow the pickling liquid to cool for a few minutes before pouring it over the sliced onions. This helps maintain the crunchiness of the onions.
Serving suggestions
There are endless options to use pickled onions. Their tangy and crisp flavor profile makes them a versatile addition to a wide range of dishes. Try topping ground pork tacos with them for an added kick of acidity and crunch. Alternatively, incorporate them into a zesty salsa or guacamole for an unexpected twist on classic dips.
For a refreshing salad option, toss the onions with mixed greens, crumbled feta cheese, and a light vinaigrette for a flavorful side dish that complements any meal. I love pickled onions on sandwiches like Hawaiian roll sliders or an air fryer tuna mels for an instant burst of flavor in every bite.
Storage
After you've made the quick pickled onions, it's important to store them properly to maintain their flavor and texture. The best way to store them is in an airtight container such as a glass jar or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Make sure the onions are completely submerged in the pickling liquid to prevent spoilage and maintain their flavor.
Store the onions in the refrigerator to prolong their shelf life. They can last for several weeks when stored properly in the fridge. It's also a good idea to label the container with the date of preparation so you can keep track of how long they've been stored.
FAQs
Can I use apple cider vinegar?
Yes, you can! Apple cider vinegar adds a slightly fruity and tangy flavor to the pickled onions. It's a popular choice among many home cooks for pickling various vegetables.
Are they healthy to eat?
Pickled red onions offer some health benefits such as being low in calories while providing fiber and essential nutrients like vitamin C. However, moderation is key due to their sodium content from the brine used during pickling.
Related Recipes
If you love this easy recipe, check out other others. Here are a few sauces and dips you may want to try:
- Brown gravy is easy to make without a mix.
- Homemade pizza sauce with fresh tomatoes is great for dipping.
- Crab rangoon dip tastes great with fried wontons.
- Chicken gravy recipe no drippings is great for adding flavory to poultry.
- Jalapeño cream cheese dip adds a little kick to your chips.
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Recipe
Easy Pickled Red Onions
Ingredients
- 2 small raw red onions
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ cup slightly cooled boiled water
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a measuring cup with pour spout, combine red wine vinegar and water. Add salt and sugar. Stir until completely dissolved.
- Cut the red onions using a sharp knife. Remove top and end tips - tunic, basal plate, and roots. Cut in half then slice red onions thinly.
- Transfer thinly sliced red onions and black peppercorns in a clean glass container, preferably a glass jar with lid.
- Give the red wine vinegar mixture a good stir then pour over red onions. Press red onions, making sure that every slice is fully submerged into the liquid.
- Allow the red wine vinegar mixture to completely cool. Tightly cover the glass jar. Refrigerate.
- Serve with your favorite meaty mains.
Donna
Love how quick these are to make, we whipped some up and popped them on top of a nourish bowl, and they added so much flavor.
Gabriella
Just made these pickled red onions and they turned out fantastic! Goes perfectly well with my tacos and the recipe was super simple to follow. Thanks for sharing such an easy recipe!