Ever wondered how to pickle onions? I’ve got you covered! These Quick Pickled Red Onions need only 3 ingredients and are ready in minutes. They store well in the fridge and make a great topping for everything from sandwiches and salads to tacos and nachos!
Pickled Red Onion is a condiment that can add a little “oomph” to any dish, from salads and sandwiches to tacos. These pickled onions are so easy to make and will become a staple on your condiment shelf!
Let’s first discuss the elephant in the room. Why is red onion called red?! It’s purple! Apparently it is only because they used to b tinged with red, but now days they are pretty much always purple. What a boring explanation! Now on with the recipe….
Ah, summertime. The season of picnics and cookouts and any other excuse to have friends over outside and fire up the grill, to hang out and relax and sip a cocktail while enjoying delicious food.
I love the potluck nature of these get-togethers because it means that even when I’m hosting, I don’t have to worry about preparing an entire meal. Just a main entree, using something to grill, and my friends cover the rest.
Of course, I do have a habit of preparing a few extra things for my guests and Easy Quick Pickled Red Onion is one of them.
If you’ve ever wondered how to pickle onions, the answer is that it’s super easy. 3 ingredients, a bit of time simmering on the stove, and they’re all ready to refrigerate. Or eat right away, though I do recommend letting them cool.
The reason I make pickled red onion for so many of these cookouts and picnics, whether I’m hosting or not, is that pickled onions are a welcome addition to so many things.
I love to add these to my burgers and sandwiches but they also add a punch of flavor to salads, both green and mayo-based salads. You can even add them to things like tacos, burritos and nachos! Here they are on my Italian Sausage Sandwich Sliders!
I know some people who will even eat pickled onions straight from the jar with a fork or put them on the plate as their own side dish.
When it comes to how to make pickled onions, the key is to slice the onions to the right thickness. The thinner the onion is sliced, the quicker it will absorb the vinegar but thicker slices have more of a crunch to them. I recommend cutting them between 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch thick.
Store a jar of these Quick Pickled Red Onions in your fridge and you’ll find yourself adding them to everything!
If you love pickled onions, here are some other recipes you might enjoy!
Tools For Making Quick Pickled Red Onion
Heavy Bottom Sauce Pan– this will be one of your most used kitchen tools. Having something that is heavy bottom will distribute heat better and prevent burning whether you are using an electric or gas range.
Quick Pickled Red Onion will quickly become the only pickled onions you ever make, with just 3 ingredients and limited prep time!
- 1 red onion , thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
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Fill a medium sauce pan half way with water. Bring to a boil.
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Add onions, apple cider vinegar and salt.
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Continue to simmer until onions are soft.
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Drain well.
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Use immediately or refrigerate.
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If you like this recipe, please come back to give it a rating and let us know if you made any adjustments!
Joanie
I love pickled onions and ask for extras every time I order a salad at Panera so I was thrilled to come across your recipe. They are so easy to make and I’m excited that I can always keep a jar in my fridge to use now.
Jessica at Savory Experiments
They are one of my favorite condiments, too!
Michele Hall
This came together so quickly and were a perfect topping for the brats we grilled this afternoon– so tender and flavortul! :). thanks!
Jessica at Savory Experiments
Woohoo! Sounds like a winning match!