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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Quick Pickled Red Onions

    Published: May 23, 2023 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 11 Comments

    21 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Gluten Free / Low Fat / Vegan
    Quick pickled red onions with a text title overlay.

    These Quick Pickled Red Onions are so quick and easy to make and they are so versatile. Add them to sandwiches, burgers, salads or tacos for an easy way to add lots of colour and flavour. They are a tangy addition to any dish!

    A jar of sliced pickled onions next to an onion and a small dish of salt.

    Pickled red onions are a delicious and versatile condiment that can add a pop of flavour and colour to any dish. I first had them on tacos and was instantly hooked by their tangy and slightly sweet taste. We now love these red pickled onions in a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches to grilled meats.

    These pickled onions are so easy to make at home. All you need is some red onions, water, vinegar, sugar, and salt, and you can have a jar of pickled onions that only take 15 minutes to marinate in the fridge.

    They keep well in the fridge, so you can always have them on hand to add to your favourite dishes.

    Looking for more condiment recipes? Why not try our spicy Harissa Paste, tangy Mango Chutney, cooling Tzatziki or healthy BBQ Sauce?

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • How to make pickled red onions - Step by step
    • What are pickled red onions?
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Extra tips
    • More onion recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Ingredients and substitutions

    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.
    • Red onion - You can pickle any onions using this recipe, but red gives the best flavour. We like using shallots too.
    • Vinegar - We used white vinegar, which will ensure the brightest clearest colour, as well as the longest shelf life in the fridge. White vinegar is more concentrated than apple cider or red wine vinegar, but they will work.
    • Water - This is mixed with the the vinegar.
    • Sugar - We used white cane sugar, which gives the clearest colour. You could use honey or maple syrup, but this would change the colour.
    • Salt - Generously season.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    How to make pickled red onions - Step by step

    One: Place the vinegar, water, salt and sugar in a small saucepan on the hob and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 30-60 seconds, stirring. Turn off the heat and let this cool completely.

    A saucepan with water, vinegar and sugar in it.

    Two: Put the onions in a jar and pour over the liquid. Put in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.

    A glass jar containing sliced red onions and pickling liquid.

    What are pickled red onions?

    Pickled red onions are a popular condiment that can add a tangy, sweet, and slightly sour flavour to any dish, like sandwiches and tacos. They are made by soaking thinly sliced red onions in vinegar, water, sugar, and salt.

    You can add other spices and flavourings like garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns. You then leave them in the fridge for just 15 minutes to soften, although you can leave them for longer.

    Pickling is a process of preserving food by immersing it in a solution of vinegar or another acidic liquid. The acid in the vinegar helps to break down the cell walls of the onions, which allows them to absorb the flavours of the other ingredients in the pickling solution. This process also helps to preserve the onions, so they can be stored for longer periods of time.

    A jar of sliced red onions as viewed from above.

    Serving suggestions

    Pickled red onions are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. They are a popular topping for tacos, sandwiches, and burgers, and can also be added to salads, soups, and stews. Their bright colour and tangy taste can add a pop of colour and flavour to any dish. Here are some of our favourite recipes to add them to:

    • Air Fryer Burgers
    • Fish Tacos
    • Loaded Tuna Sandwich
    • Baked Chicken Burgers
    • Indian Burger
    • Crispy Prawn Tacos
    • The BEST Fish Finger Sandwiches
    • Steak Salad

    We love them on our Vegetarian Charcuterie Board too.

    Storage

    Store: The best thing about these is that they store well. If they are kept in an air tight jar, then they will keep for up to 3 weeks, but we usually use them up before that.

    A fork lifting some slices of red onion out of a glass jar.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Are red onions good for you?

    Yes, they are high antioxidant and have natural anti-inflammatory properties, and support healthy bones. They’re also high in Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and Manganese. Because these onions are preserved, they retain their health benefits.

    Are pickled red onions gluten free?

    Yes, as long as you have used white vinegar and make sure there is no cross contamination, these are gluten free.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • We haven't added anything extra into ours in terms of flavour, but you could add peppercorns, pickles jalapeños, cumin seeds, fennel seeds garlic cloves or a bay leaf.
    • You can either use a really sharp knife, or a mandolin to slice the red onions. Try to get them as thin as possible.
    • These can be ready in as little as 15 minutes, but for the best pickled red onions, let them marinate for 24 hours.

    More onion recipes

    • Cheese and onion rolls on a serving board.
      Cheese and Onion Rolls
    • A pan of onion gravy with a wooden spoon in it.
      Easy Onion Gravy
    • Sage and onion stuffing balls on a pink plate.
      Sage and Onion Stuffing
    • Savoury pancakes filled with caramelised onions on a blue plate.
      Savoury Pancakes with Caramelised Onion

    If you’ve tried this pink pickled onion recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    A jar of pickled red onions with a fork in it.

    Quick Pickled Red Onions

    By: Dannii
    These Quick Pickled Red Onions are so quick and easy to make and they are so versatile. They are a tangy addition to any dish!
    A circular logo saying GF.
    Gluten Free
    the words low fat in a white circle.
    Low Fat
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant in a pot.
    Vegan
    5 from 14 votes
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: British
    Prep: 2 minutes mins
    Cook: 4 minutes mins
    Refrigerating time: 15 minutes mins
    Total: 21 minutes mins
    Servings: 15 servings
    Calories: 21kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 3 Red onion - finely sliced
    • 500 ml Water
    • 250 ml Vinegar - white
    • 3 tablespoon Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Sea salt

    Instructions

    • Place the vinegar, water, salt and sugar in a small saucepan on the hob and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 30-60 seconds, stirring. Turn off the heat and let this cool completely.
    • Put the onions in a jar and pour over the liquid. Put in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.

    Notes

    • We haven't added anything extra into ours in terms of flavour, but you could add peppercorns, pickles jalapeños, cumin seeds, fennel seeds garlic cloves or a bay leaf.
    • You can either use a really sharp knife, or a mandolin to slice the red onions. Try to get them as thin as possible.
    • These can be ready in as little as 15 minutes, but for the best pickled red onions, let them marinate for 24 hours.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 21kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.03g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.004g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 160mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 0.4IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ieva

      May 24, 2023 at 3:59 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy! We've just had a quick weekday bbq in the garden as the weather is so beautiful. Had these pickled onions with lamb and chicken skewers and they were amazing! It's amazing how they gain so much beautiful tangy flavour in such a short amount of time!

      Reply
    2. Elizabeth

      May 24, 2023 at 3:42 pm

      5 stars
      I think this might be my new favorite sandwich and salad topper! I love red onions, but I've never tried pickling them before. Tangy and delicious. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    3. Andrea

      May 24, 2023 at 3:34 pm

      5 stars
      These easy pickled red onions are a perfect summertime condiment.

      Reply
    4. Hayley Dhanecha

      May 24, 2023 at 3:17 pm

      5 stars
      I love this onions, great with indian food and burgers and tacos!

      Reply
    5. gunjan

      May 24, 2023 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      pickled onions are my favorite and I made a big batch of these. Totally perfect and so delicious.

      Reply
    6. dina and bruce miller

      May 24, 2023 at 2:30 pm

      5 stars
      Lovely. Served on burgers last night!

      Reply
    7. Jen Vinuya

      May 24, 2023 at 12:52 pm

      5 stars
      I love this!! Thanks so much for the recipe!

      Reply
    8. Katherine

      May 24, 2023 at 12:48 pm

      5 stars
      I love quick pickled onions. Such a tasty way to jazz up a meal!

      Reply
    9. Ali

      May 24, 2023 at 12:38 pm

      5 stars
      These pickled red onions are great to always have on hand to add to burgers, salads and sandwiches. And they are so easy to make!

      Reply
    10. Seema Sriram

      May 24, 2023 at 9:44 am

      5 stars
      The colour of this pickled Onions is so beautiful. I would love this spooned on my burgers, so yum.

      Reply
    11. Kate

      May 23, 2023 at 8:20 pm

      5 stars
      I'm so glad I came across this recipe! They were so quick and easy to make. We added them to our sandwiches for lunch. And now I have plenty on hand to add to all sorts of dishes!

      Reply

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