Easy Quick-Pickled Onions

Quick-Pickled Onions are sure to become a staple condiment in your house after you realize just how quick they are to throw together and how tasty they are.

What Type Of Onions Can You Pickle?

You really can use any onions. Sweet onions like Vidalia add a sweetness to the pickle making it taste a little less vinegary. The classic pickled onions you’re probably used to seeing are the red onions which add a gorgeous color to your dish.

How To Cut The Onions

Thin sliced onions are key to truly quick-pickling the onions. If you need them in an hour, the thinner the better. If they are going to sit for awhile before serving, you can cut them a little thicker.

An easy way to cut them really thinly is to use a mandoline to shave the whole rounds of onions. If you don’t have a mandoline, you’ll want to make sure to use a very sharp knife to get the thin slices.

Add Flavor

You can add just about anything. Ingredients like whole garlic cloves or whole peppercorns are a simple addition that can really change the flavoring of the pickling liquid. You can also add in some fresh herbs if you’d like. If you really want a punch of flavor, add heat with jalapeños or red pepper flakes.

I use a mixture of apple cider vinegar and white vinegar for the brine for my pickled onions. Other options include red wine vinegar or rice vinegar.

How Long To Quick Pickle Onions?

If you’re making these at room temperature, be sure to let the mixture sit for at least an hour to let the pickling take place. The longer the better, though! If you can let the mixture sit for 24 hours before serving, they will have an even better flavor.

An even quicker way to make pickled onions is to actually heat up the liquid mixture until it simmers and use that to pour over the onions. They should pickle in the time it takes the mixture to cool.

How To Store

You’ll want to store them in the refrigerator. If you heat the pickling liquid, be sure to let that cool before putting them in the fridge.

They can be refrigerated for up to 2-3 weeks, but you’ll most likely go through them faster than that.

Using a non-reactive container with a lid is ideal for storing pickled red onions. Something like a mason jar is perfect while something like aluminum or cast iron is reactive and shouldn’t be used.

Uses For Quick-Pickled Onions

Quick-pickled red onions are the perfect topping for just about any savory dish you can think of. It’s a flavorful and beautiful garnish. 

Adding them to tacos, hot dogs or burgers, salads, or sandwiches are all amazing. You could even use them to add some tang to breakfast on top of avocado toast or scrambled eggs.

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