This Quick Pickled Onions recipe is perfect for adding crunch with a sweet yet tangy pop of flavor. Making my pickled onions is super quick, easy and will take any dish to the next level.
If you love to elevate dishes and want an easy way to do it, try my: Easy Caramelized Onions and my Pressure Cooker Caramelized Onions. They are flavorful and delicious.
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Why this Pickled Red Onion Recipe is a Keeper
My pickled onions recipe is pure vinegary goodness. It’s incredibly quick and easy to make and ends up with a lovely bright pink color that’s sure to brighten any meal.
- Fast: Ready in about 10 minutes of prep and perfect after a short rest in the brine.
- Pantry Ingredients: Made with everyday staples like vinegar, sugar, and salt.
- Versatile: Great on tacos, burgers, salads, grain bowls, and BBQ dinners.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Keep a jar in the fridge so you always have a flavor boost ready.
How Long Do Quick Pickled Onions Need to Sit Before Eating?
These quick and easy pickled onions need to sit for about half an hour before enjoying. They will keep in the fridge for two or three weeks.
Pro Tip for this Condiment
Slice the onions very thin for the best results. Thin slices soften quickly in the brine and absorb the tangy flavor faster.
Ingredient Notes for Quick Pickled Red Onions
You only need a few pantry staples to make this recipe. Once you learn how to make this recipe, you won’t be able to stop.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Red Onion: One medium to large sized red onion will be enough.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar brings a sweetness to the recipe. You could also try it with cane sugar, maple syrup or honey.
- Red Wine Vinegar: You will need red wine vinegar, but you can also use white vinegar, white wine vinegar or rice vinegar.
Variations and Substitutions for Quick-Pickled Onions
Pickling recipes are super customizable. Take this one to the next level by changing up the spice level or flavors. No need for pickling spices for these onions.
- Garlic: Toss in a smashed garlic clove or bay leaf for extra flavor profile.
- Heat: Include a sliced jalapeño or red pepper flakes. You could even add in some black peppercorns. Add sweet with a little honey or maple syrup.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Swap the vinegar for a slightly sweeter, mellow flavor. Rice wine vinegar works great too.
- Vegetables: You can use radish or cucumber for this recipe too.
- Add Citrus: A teaspoon of lime juice makes these a great condiment for tacos or nachos. It adds a little zing to the onions.
Special Equipment for Simple Pickled Onions Recipe
While most of this easy recipe uses everyday kitchen tools, one special item will make it even easier.
- Mandoline Slicer: Helps create ultra-thin onion slices quickly and evenly. Thin slices absorb the brine faster and give the best texture.
- Glass Mason Jar: A jar with a lid makes it easy to store the vibrant pink onions in the pickling liquid in the refrigerator and keep them fresh. The longer they sit, the better they get.
How to Make Quick Pickled Red Onions
This is one of the easiest recipes ever just a little vinegar, salt and sugar. It comes together in just 2 steps, and is perfect for add a bright pop of flavor and color to your sandwiches.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Boil the Brine: In a microwave safe bowl, add the red wine vinegar, brown sugar, all spice and salt. Mix well then microwave for about 4 minutes, or until it boils.
- Add the Onions and Let Sit: Add in the thinly sliced onions into the hot liquid, and toss or stir well to coat. Let the mixture cool to room temperature and sit for 30 minutes before enjoying.
Meal Prep Ahead Suggestions
Since this recipe for pickled red onions is already super easy, there are only a couple things you can do ahead of time.
- Slice the Onions Early: Cut the onions earlier in the day and store them in the fridge until ready to pickle.
- Make a Batch for the Week: Prepare a jar at the start of the week so you have a ready-made topping for many dishes. Store onions in the fridge.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Quick Pickled Onions
This recipe calls for it to be made in the microwave, but you can also make it on the stove or in the fridge.
- Stovetop Quick‑Pickle: Great when you want that vivid pink color fast. Color develops in 10–15 minutes and are fully pickled in 30. Follow the same steps but just in a small saucepan in a gentle simmer.
- Cold‑Brine Refrigerator Pickle: Best for crisp texture and a gentler flavor. Just whisk the brine until dissolved. Pour over onions and refrigerate. Timing: 2–4 hours for color; overnight for full flavor.
Storing and Use Leftovers Pickled Onions Recipe
- Storing: Store pickled onions in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For food safety, toss if the you see cloudy brine, sliminess, mold, off smells, or dull/brownish color.
- Using Leftovers Quick Pickled Onions: Pickled red onions add a sweet & tangy pop of flavor to dishes. Add them as a garnish to breakfast tacos, pulled pork sandwiches,tomatillo, salads with a little feta, grain bowls, burgers, or avocado toast.
Common Questions About This Quick Pickled Onion Recipe
Red onions are best for tangy and crisp pink pickled onions. They are the only onions that will give you that natural pink color.
They are especially good on dishes like pulled pork or shredded chicken tacos.
Expert Tips for Making Easy Pickled Red Onions
- Slice Thin: Thin slices soften faster and absorb the brine better.
- Taste the Brine: Adjust sugar slightly if you prefer a sweeter pickle.
- Use Fresh Onions: Fresh onions stay crisp and give the best texture.
- Serve With: Serve with a Mexican Burger or Grilled Turkey Burgers with Pickled Onions.
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Quick Pickled Onions
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Ingredients
- 1 cup Red wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon All spice
- 1 small Red onion, halved and very thinly sliced
Instructions
- Combine vinegar, brown sugar, salt and all spice in a medium microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes or until the mixture boils. You can also bring the mixture to a boil in a saucepan on the stove.
- Add onions and toss to coat.
- Let stand for at least 30 minutes
Christina’s Notes
- Spicy Pickled Onions: Make this recipe spicy by adding 1-2 tablespoons of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Sweet Pickled Onions: To make a sweet pickled onions recipe, add 1-2 extra tablespoons of sugar depending on how sweet you would like them to be.
- Add to Tacos: Pickled pink onions are one of the best tacos condiments. Try adding these to Fish Baja Tacos, Steak Street Tacos, or Carnitas Pulled Pork Tacos.
- Variations: If you want to play around with the flavor, you can try adding other herbs and seasoning such as a bay leaf, coriander seeds, cumin, or oregano.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.