We are obsessed with these quick pickled red onions that you can literally put on anything! So delicious! We are currently making a batch every week. Try pickled onions on burgers, Mexican dishes (like our Mushroom & Tofu Taco ‘Meat’), salads, sandwiches, pizza or Greek-inspired meals. The possibilities are endless!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s Steph here! Behold the humble yet mighty Quick Pickled Red Onions—our kitchen’s not-so-secret weapon for elevating every dish from drab to fab! Have you ever been cooking and wondered if every bite could be just a tad more tangy or a smidge more vibrant? Enter these zesty crimson gems, bursting with flavor and ready to jazz up anything they touch. With just a handful of ingredients and a lightning-fast prep time, they’re like the superheroes of the condiment world, swooping in to save the day with their pickled perfection.

Why do we make them every week, you ask? Well, besides the fact that they’re quick, easy, and require minimal ingredients (hello, kitchen MVP!), there’s something downright magical about the way they transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Whether you’re topping tacos, perking up salads or bowls (like our Mediterranean Bowl with Quinoa & Marinated Chickpeas), or adding a punch to your charcuterie board, these pickled onions are the ultimate flavor bomb that’ll have your taste buds doing a happy dance. So, say goodbye to boring appetizers and hello to culinary wizardry—just one bite of these easy pickled onions, and you’ll be wowing guests like a seasoned pro in no time!

Key Ingredients

Let’s take a closer look at each ingredient in our recipe for quick pickled red onions and explore why they’re essential:

• Red onions steal the show with their vibrant hue and bold flavor profile. Beyond their visual appeal, these colorful gems are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, adding both flair and health benefits to the dish. In the fridge over time, the onions take on a lovely pink hue.
• Apple cider vinegar steps up to the plate, bringing a tangy twist and a burst of acidity to the mix. But that’s not all—this versatile ingredient boasts a myriad of health benefits, from aiding digestion to promoting a healthy gut microbiome, ensuring each bite is packed with goodness.
• Maple syrup rounds out the lineup, offering a touch of sweetness and balance to the pickled onions. Beyond its delightful flavor, maple syrup serves as a natural source of antioxidants and nutrients, providing a healthy balance to the tanginess of the apple cider vinegar while enhancing the overall taste experience.

Instructions

Let’s dive into the process of creating these flavorful pickled onions:

To begin, gather all the ingredients except for the red onion and combine them in a saucepan. Set the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the liquid to a low boil. This step allows the flavors to meld together, creating a harmonious pickling liquid. Be sure to whisk the mixture a few times to ensure all the ingredients are well combined.

While the pickling liquid is heating, prepare the red onions. Use a mandolin or a sharp knife to slice the onions very thinly. This ensures that they absorb the pickling liquid evenly and develop a deliciously tangy flavor.

Once the onions are sliced, place them in a pint-sized mason jar. Press down gently to pack the onions into the jar, ensuring that they all fit snugly.

Now, it’s time to pour the hot pickling liquid over the onions in the jar. If needed, use a funnel to transfer the liquid, ensuring no spills. Be sure to push any onions that are not covered with liquid down until they are fully submerged.

With the pickling liquid poured, allow the onions to cool down with the lid off the jar. This step prevents condensation from forming inside the jar, ensuring that the pickled onions retain their crispness.

Once the onions have cooled to room temperature, secure the lid tightly on the jar and give it a gentle shake. This helps to coat all the onions with the pickling liquid, ensuring maximum flavor absorption.

Finally, transfer the jar of pickled onions to the refrigerator and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to develop and intensify, resulting in deliciously tangy pickled onions that are perfect for adding a burst of flavor to any dish.

Storage Instructions

We recommend letting the onions cool before putting on the lid and placing them in the fridge. The pickled onions will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. Ours never stick around that long.

Frequently Asked Questions

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