Quick pickled red onions
Discover the secret weapon in the kitchen: Quick Pickled Red Onions! These tangy, sweet, and crunchy onions add depth of flavor and a pop of color to any dish, making them a perfect addition to sandwiches, tacos, salads, and more. With just a few simple ingredients and a quick 30-minute pickling process, you'll have a jar of these flavorful onions ready to elevate your meals.
Equipment
- 1 small sauce pan
- 1 Jar or other heat safe container with a lid.
Ingredients
- 1 medium red onion, sliced thin, rounds or half rounds
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup vinegar, any type will work, or a mixture. I prefer apple cider.
- 1 tablespoon sweetener of choice, maple syrup, honey, sugar, etc.
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flake, optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except the onions in a small saucepan on medium heat.½ cup water, ½ cup vinegar,, 1 tablespoon sweetener of choice,, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flake,
- Meanwhile, add sliced onions to a jar, place in the sink or inside a bowl to catch any spills.1 medium red onion,
- Once the mixture has simmered for just a few minutes, remove from heat and pour over onions in the jar. Smoosh down the onions with a spoon to make sure they're all submerged in the vinegar mixture.
- Let cool to room temperature before using or refrigerating. Add to anything you like! Use within a few days, will keep for a week or 2 if sealed in the refrigerator.
Notes
Feel free to experiment with the brine, using a different vinegar or mixture of vinegars will change the flavor.
Additional add-ins like whole peppercorns, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, caraway seeds or other whole spices (don't use powdered/dried.)
You can also add in smashed garlic cloves, sliced jalapeños, bay leaves, or a sprig of a fresh herb.