This quick pickled red onions recipe is perfect for adding big flavor to anything from sandwiches, tacos, grilled meats and more. They're so easy to make!
Quick Pickled Red Onions
We're making Quick Pickled Red Onions in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen today, my friends, and you're going to LOVE them.
Pickled red onions are huge flavor builders, highly popular for serving on sandwiches, livening up grilled meats, spooning over the tops of sausages, burgers and hot dogs, and adding pop and zing to your favorite Mexican dishes and other cuisines.
Why limit them to any single food? I love them on just about anything.
Plus, these are incredibly easy to make. You can make a big batch and keep them in the refrigerator for a month or so so you'll always have them on hand. I love just them so.
Usually you'll find me pickling peppers in the kitchen, but the process of pickling can be applied to many different vegetables, especially onions. It's not only a great way to preserve them, but they're an essential ingredient for many dishes.
Let's talk about how to make pickled red onions, shall we? Grab a red onion, my friends!
Pickled Red Onions Ingredients
- Red Onion. Also, you can use other onions if you'd like. This recipe will work with sweet onions, yellow onions, white onions, shallots or others for a quick pickled onions recipe. Slice them thin with a sharp knife or mandolin.
- Vinegar. I prefer good quality white wine vinegar, but red wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar will work for this recipe.
- Water. 1-2 cups water, depending on the size of your batch.
- Honey. Optional for sweeter pickled red onions. You can also use sugar if you'd like, or something sweet like maple syrup or agave syrup, or just omit.
- Salt. Pickling salt is idea, but Kosher salt will work, as long as there are no anti-caking elements.
- Optional Seasonings. See the Recipe Notes below, or see my pickling spice recipe.
How to Make Pickled Red Onions - the Recipe Method
Add the vinegar, water, honey (if using), salt and seasonings to a pot or wide pan. Bring the vinegar mixture to a quick boil and remove from heat. The sugar and salt dissolve in the liquid rather quickly, though other seasonings will float in the mix, which is completely fine.
Let cool slightly. The longer you let it cool to room temperature, the crisper your pickled red onions will be.
Add the thin sliced onions and press to submerge beneath the pickling brine.
Transfer to a container and seal. A large mason jar is great for these. Use as desired. I like to wait at least 30 minutes before using, but they're better the next day.
Boom! Done! Super easy and delicious to make, aren't they? I love this recipe. You just gotta love pickled onions. So good on so many different things for a bit of crispy crunch when used right away, and a nice pop of tangy flavor.
You can also easily double the recipe and make large batches. This particular recipe makes a quart of pickled red onions.
Recipe Tips & Notes
Storing Pickled Red Onions
Store the pickled onions in the fridge. They will last for many months easily, though you can process them in a water bath for pantry keeping until opened.
Optional Seasonings
You can add whatever other pickling seasonings you prefer to up the flavor factor of your onions. Mix and match and use your favorites, like bay leaf, peppercorns, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and more. I like to add 1-2 tablespoons to really bring this to life, though they're great on their own. Below are some ideas.
Mexican-Style Pickled Red Onions
Add 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon cumin.
Cajun Pickled Red Onions
Use 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon oregano and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, or use 1 tablespoon of your favorite Cajun seasoning blend.
Crisp Pickled Red Onions
The heat from the pickling brine will soften the onions more, so if you are seeking pickled red onions that are more crispy, cool the brine longer. If you prefer softer onions, add the red onions immediately to the hot pickling brine.
Spicy Version
If you prefer hot and spicy pickled onions like I do, toss a sliced hot pepper into the mix. The hot pepper will infuse the brine and will spice up the whole batch.
Serving Pickled Red Onions
Pickled red onions add a pop of crunch and zippy tang to just about any meal. I personally prefer to serve them on sandwiches, tacos, burgers and brats. They're great on a deli sandwich or a good grilled brat or Italian sausage.
I have a wonderful recipe for cochinita pibil, which is a delicious Mexican recipe of flavorful pulled pork. Scoop the pork over warmed tortillas, top it with pickled red onions, and you've found yourself a slice of heaven right there.
Use them as a garnish for sure, but try them out in your next salad or as a pizza topping, on avocado toast, or with shrimp ceviche.
How Long Do Pickled Red Onions Last?
Pickled red onions will last a month or longer in the refrigerator in a sealed airtight container.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy my quick pickled red onions recipe. Easy recipe, right? Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you. Keep it spicy!
Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes
- How to Pickle Peppers - a Guide
- Pickled Jalapenos
- Refrigerator Pickled Peppers
- Refrigerator Pickles (Hot Pickles)
- Pickled Banana Peppers
- Pickled Jalapenos and Carrots - Taqueria Style
- Pickled Carrot Sticks
- Pickled Okra
- Pickled Mustard Seeds
- See all of my pickling recipes here
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium sized red onion sliced (about 1 cup of sliced red onion)
- 1/2 cup vinegar use good quality white vinegar, champagne vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon honey optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Optional Seasonings: See the Recipe Notes
Instructions
- Add the vinegar, water, honey (if using), salt and seasonings to a pot or wide pan. Bring to a quick boil and remove from heat. Let cool slightly. The longer you let it cool, the crisper your pickled red onions will be.
- Add the red onions and press to submerge beneath the pickling brine.
- Transfer to a container and seal. Use as desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 7/15/22 to include new information and video. It was originally published on 4/22/20.
Larry says
Quick easy and delicious!
Mike Hultquist says
Yes! Thanks, Larry!
Norman Johnston says
I have been making Red onion pickle for years from a recipe by Judy Rodgers of The Zuni Cafe in San Francisco. They are always a big hit, but I will be trying your recipe to compare.
Mike Hultquist says
I hope you enjoy them, Norman. Very easy to adjust the seasonings to your preference.
Jim says
Long ago Jim's BBQ existed in Bee Cave, TX.
Best breakfast tacos I've ever had.
There were always pickled red onions with chopped habaneros on the condiment table.
So good! I'm going to make these as soon as I finish this note...with habaneros, of course.
Thanks for all the great recipes!
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome! Enjoy, Jim! Glad you are enjoying the recipes.
Greg Young says
Hi,
Plan the make this however keen to make a larger batch. How long should these stay good in the fridge?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Greg, these will last months in the refrigerator, properly sealed. Enjoy!
Charles Pascual says
Made a batch yesterday with yellow onion and your suggested Mexican seasoning. Let 'em sit in fridge overnight and used some this morning in a chilaquiles-style omelet (along with some pickled jalapeños - your recipe, natch) - terrific flavor and I expect them to get even better in next few days. Thanks, Mike.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Wonderful. Thanks for sharing, Charles.
Paul W says
Excellent recipe. How long can this be stored?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Paul, store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Enjoy!
Faron Greenough says
Awesome Michael. thank you!
Faron Greenough says
Would you happen to be interested in sharing your recipe for cochinita pibil? Making the picked red onions this evening. Thanks!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Faron, yes, here is the link for my Cochinita Pibil Recipe. I hope you enjoy it! https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/cochinita-pibil/
Suzmom says
Can I can these in a water bath or pressure canned? I need them to give to people requesting as I don’t eat them. Yes I do this and barely eat 1/2 of what I’m requested to can.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Suzmom, yes, you can process these in a water bath. Check the acidity with a good pH meter. It is best to shoot for 3.5 for home canning. These have plenty of vinegar so should be fine.
Cam says
Been making these for years. My grand daughter and husband love when I use a quart size jar and layer the red onions with sliced cucumbers (peeled/unpeeled). I fill the jar with water to cover contents. I pour that water into a measuring cup and dump half of it out, mix a tablespoon of seasoning salt or a mixture of other herbs and spices into the remainder of the water and pour over the onions. Finish filling it with vinegar. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours before using. Mom made this with fresh picked/pulled items all during gardening season. You can add peppers to them if you wish. Hubby will sometimes take one of his purchased, pickled peppers and add to them. It's a great recipe year round.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Sounds wonderful, Cam. I appreciate the comments. Great memories.
Claudine says
Oh, how we love these! There used to be a favorite Tex-Mex restaurant we went to regularly, but alas now it has closed, that served these with their carnitas. We would always buy some extra pickled onions to take home with us. Now thanks to you, I can make these at home!
One time, our server told us what they used when making their pickled onions, she didn't have measurements, because they made such large quantities, but she said they always put a few jalapenos and bay leaves in their big containers.
I have a question, could I cover the pickling brine and put it in the refrigerator overnight, then put the onions in the next day? We really like crisp onions and they were always crisp when we got them at our favorite restaurant.
Thank you Mike for all the great recipes you share with us and all the work you put into the newsletter. I look forward to reading it.
Claudine in Fort Worth, TX
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Claudine! I do appreciate it. I like to toss in a spicy pepper or two as well to spice thing up. Yes, you can add the sliced onions to the cooled pickle brine and enjoy them that way. They will be crisper for sure, though not as much pickled flavor, depending on how long they are in the brine. Let me know how it turns out for you. Enjoy!
Cathy says
Do we store in the fridge? How long can I store them? I am looking forward to making pickled onions! Thank you for posting this recipe.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Cathy, yes, store them in the refrigerator. Great stuff! I hope you enjoy them! So good.