Easy Pickled Red Onions

Pink pickled onions in a clear jar with a red onion in the background.

Making pickled red onions is super simple! You will love the tangy sweetness with a hint of spice that will elevate your meals to a whole new level! Top grilled meats, sandwiches, burgers, brats, hot dogs, Mexican dishes, and more!

5 from 1 vote

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Author Kori Butler

Prep Time 1 10

Total Time 1 10

Course Condiment

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 25 kcal

Ingredients

▢ 2 medium red onions (very thinly sliced)
▢ 1 cup apple cider vinegar
▢ 1 tablespoon sugar (or sugar substitute)
▢ 1 teaspoons kosher salt
▢ 1 cup hot water
▢ ¼ teaspoon (optional) red pepper flakes

Instructions

Fill a mason jar with the very thinly sliced red onion.
In a small saucepan stir together vinegar, sugar, salt, and water. Bring to a simmer and turn off. (Alternatively, you can heat in a microwave)
Pour the hot pickling liquid into the jar over the onions, making sure the onions are completely submerged. Let sit for one hour (with no lid).
Cover and store in the fridge.

Kori's Tips

Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
VARIATIONS: Add in sprigs of fresh herbs like rosemary, oregano, or dill; Add whole peeled garlic cloves into the bottom of the jar; Use regular sugar or honey in place of the maple syrup; Make them spicy by adding red pepper flakes to the pickling liquid.
TIPS:
- If you prefer sweeter pickled onions, add more sugar - up to 3 tablespoons.
- I used just a quarter of a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to give them a mild kick to balance the tang and slight sweetness. You don't have to use any.
- Use a mandolin to slice the onions very thinly and uniformly.
- This recipe uses approximately 4 cups of onions for every 2 cups of liquid. I used a 36-ounce (1.1 liter) hinged lid mason jar. Any lidded airtight container will work.
- The onions will shrink as they sit in the liquid. This is normal.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve on burgers or hot dogs. Great on sandwiches, salads, roasted and grilled meats, and even you favorite Mexican or Italian dishes!

Nutrition

Calories: 25kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.02gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.004gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.003gSodium: 700mgPotassium: 59mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 0.4IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.1mg

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