Learn how to make Quick Pickled Onions! These easy onion pickles are ready fast and so delicious. Plus, they have so many uses (from salads to burgers, tacos, and more). They're the perfect way to perk up any meal!
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Ginnie's Take
You know what makes a meal special? It's the finishing touches. Whether that's a sprinkle of rich, salty cheese, a dash of fresh herbs, or a squeeze of lemon, the right garnish can enhance flavors and elevate the whole dish. I love adding these yummy finishing touches to my cooking, and these Quick Pickled Onions are one of my go-to flavor enhancers! They're an excellent addition to almost any meal, and they're ready so fast to make. No canning required!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Super Tasty - These colorful onions have a sweet, tangy flavor that's so delicious!
- Easy to Make - You can make this pickled onion recipe in one hour (or less). And there are no complicated methods or canning required!
- Versatile - They have a million uses! I love the way these pretty pink onions brighten up all sorts of dishes from sandwiches to salads to tacos. And they're great for snacking on, too!
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Ingredients
The fast recipe uses the simplest of ingredients! Here's what you'll need:
- Onions - I typically use red onions for this recipe (you'll need one). You can use other types too, but they won't turn the same pretty color.
- Vinegar - This recipe calls for white wine vinegar, but other varieties (such as red wine distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar) will also work.
- Sugar - Granulated sugar adds a touch of sweetness, serving as a flavorful counterpart to the tart vinegar.
- Salt - A little kosher salt brings out the pickle's best flavor.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, nut free, and gluten free! Perfect for serving everyone at your table.
You'll Also Need
Grab a container with a lid (big enough to hold about 2 cups). I like using mason jars, because you can use them to make and store the pickles.
How to Make Pickled Red Onions
These Quick Pickled Onions are super delicious and ready fast! You'll find a recipe card below, but here's a quick overview of the steps:
- Prep onions. Start by thinly slicing your onions. Usually, I quarter my onion before slicing it (the smaller pieces are easiest to use), but you can cut the onion into rings or longer slices, if you'd prefer.
- Make brine. Next, combine the vinegar, sugar, and salt in a mason jar, bowl, or measuring cup. Then microwave this vinegar mixture until hot. Tip: Don't have a microwave? You can warm the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat instead.
- Combine brine and onion. Add the sliced red onion to the brine, then refrigerate the pickles for an hour, or until you're ready to use them. As the onions sit in the refrigerator, they'll soften up and turn pink.
Okay, time to enjoy your scrumptious Red Onion Pickles! If you're anything like me, you're going to find yourself adding them to all sorts of delicious foods.
How to Use
Now that you know how to pickle onions, how do you use them? These tangy onions are so versatile! Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Snack - They make a great quick snack! The onions are super tasty and lack the sharp flavor of raw onions.
- Cheese Board - Add them to a cheese plate or serve them with crudité.
- Salads - I love adding these tasty onions to salads. You'll find them in my Pumpkin Quinoa Salad, easy Butter Lettuce Salad, and my hearty Arugula Quinoa Salad!
- Burgers + Sandwiches - Use these pink pickled onions to perk up any sandwich or burger. They're wonderful on this Hummus Sandwich with Pesto and Veggies, these Halloumi Mushroom Burgers, and these open face Mediterranean Hummus Pitas. And they'd be delish on this Tomato Avocado Sandwich and these Black Bean Edamame Burgers, too!
- Breakfast - Use them as a topping for bagels, or serve them with eggs and omelets.
- Mexican - Add the onions to tacos and other Mexican food. I've used them on these Halloumi Fajitas, but they'd be a great addition to these Bean and Cheese Tostadas, Roasted Veggie Fajitas, or Grilled Portabella Poblano Tacos, too.
- Bowls - They add so much flavor to a veggie grain bowl. Try them in my Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl.
- More Topping Ideas - Add a pop of flavor to simple recipes! Try them one Black Beans and Rice, as a deviled egg topping, use them to garnish for dips or Guacamole, sprinkle over a freshly baked pizza, or toss them with pasta salad (they'd be delicious in this Italian Pasta Salad).
- Raw Onion Substitute - Not a raw onion fan? Add these yummy onions instead.
Storage
You can store these Sweet Pickled Onions in the fridge for up to two weeks, and they'll get softer and pinker (eventually turning a uniform shade) the longer they sit.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, try my Pickled Carrots and Radishes next! And you'll love these other easy condiments, too:
- This mouthwatering Spicy Mayo is an easy way to level up any recipe!
- Enjoy the tasty Marinated Tomatoes on their own, or add them to pasta dishes, salads, sandwiches, and more.
- Add this Vegan Honey Mustard to sandwiches, drizzle it over salads, or use it as a dipping sauce!
- Learn how to make Roasted Garlic at home. It's easy, and there are tons of delightful ways to use it.
Quick Pickled Onions
Ingredients
- ½ cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Combine vinegar, sugar, and salt in a pint sized jar or small bowl.
- Microwave for 45 to 60 seconds, or until hot. Stir until sugar and salt are dissolved.
- Add red onions, pressing down to make sure they are covered in the brine.
- Refrigerate onions for one hour or until you're ready to eat them. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
