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Quick pickled red onions in a pint jar with a white serving fork.
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5 from 2 votes

Quick Pickled Red Onions

Whether you use Quick Pickled Red Onions as a condiment, a topping for sandwiches, burgers, or tacos, or toss them into a salad, they have many delicious uses. These onions can be made in under 30 minutes and are a crunchy and tangy side that adds tons of flavor to any dish.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 2 Pint Jars
Calories: 104kcal
Author: Aimee Mars

Equipment

  • Pot or Kettled (for boiling water)
  • Chefs Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • 2 Pint Jars with Lids

Ingredients

  • 2 medium Red Onions peeled and sliced
  • 2 teaspoons Sugar divided
  • 1 teaspoon Salt divided
  • cups Vinegar

Optional Flavorings

  • 2 Garlic Cloves halved
  • 10 Black Peppercorns divided
  • 10 Allspice Berries divided
  • 6 sprigs Fresh Thyme

Instructions

  • Determine whether you want lengthwise or crosswise cut onions and slice and peel them along with the garlic cloves.
  • Make the vinegar base by adding the sugar, salt, vinegar, and any flavorings you like to the jars you plan on using. Stir the contents to dissolve the sugar into the vinegar.
  • Bring about 5 cups of water to a boil in a pot (you can also use a kettle). Add the sliced onions to a mesh sieve and set it over a large bowl. Pour the boiling water over the onions. Let the onions drain as you lift the sieve from the water.
  • Use some tongs to place the onions into the prepared jars. Carefully stir to mix them in with the vinegar and flavorings.

Notes

  • Soaking the onions in hot water and a little salt softens the flavor as well as the onions, making them more susceptible to soak up the vinegar and flavorings.
  • Use wide-mouth jars to make it easier to transfer the sliced onions as well as get them out easily when you need them.
  • Make sure to store these onions in a glass or ceramic jar because the plastic can absorb the flavors and metal will react with the vinegar.
  • You don't have to use granulated sugar for this recipe and can swap it out for a natural sweetener such as maple syrup or honey.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pint | Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1172mg | Potassium: 207mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1mg