how to pickle red onions

To pickle red onions quickly and easily, follow these general steps based on multiple reliable recipes:

Ingredients Needed

• Red onions (thinly sliced)
• Vinegar (white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or a mix)
• Water
• Sugar (granulated, cane sugar, or alternatives like maple syrup or honey)
• Salt (sea salt or kosher salt)
• Optional: garlic cloves, peppercorns, or other spices for extra flavor

Basic Method

1. Slice the onions thinly: Use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to get uniform thin slices for better pickling and texture

2. Prepare the pickling brine: In a saucepan or microwave-safe container, combine vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Heat the mixture until the sugar and salt dissolve completely. Typical ratios are about 1 part vinegar to 1 part water, with sugar and salt to taste (e.g., 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 teaspoon salt per cup of liquid)

3. Combine onions and brine: Place the sliced onions in a jar or bowl. Pour the warm brine over the onions, ensuring they are fully submerged. You can add garlic cloves or peppercorns at this stage if desired

4. Let them sit: Allow the onions to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate. They can be ready to eat in as little as 30 minutes to 1 hour for quick pickling, though flavor improves if left overnight or up to several days. Pickled onions keep well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or more depending on the recipe

Additional Tips

• Using a mandoline helps achieve thin, uniform slices that pickle evenly and look attractive

• You can vary the vinegar type for different flavor profiles, such as white wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or apple cider vinegar

• Adjust sugar for sweeter or more tangy pickles according to your taste

• Some recipes skip heating the brine and simply mix vinegar, water, salt, and sugar cold, then refrigerate for a lighter texture

This quick pickled red onion method is versatile and adds a bright, tangy, slightly sweet crunch to salads, sandwiches, tacos, and more. Example quick pickled red onion recipe:

• 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup vinegar (apple cider or white)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Heat vinegar, water, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Pour over onions in a jar. Let cool, then refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving

. This method is simple and yields vibrant, flavorful pickled onions in under an hour.