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Overhead view of jar of pickled red onions.
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4.48 from 1094 votes

How to Pickle Red Onions

Learning how to make pickled red onions is SO easy - it only takes five minutes and you probably have all the ingredients! You'll love having a jar of these in your fridge for tacos, avocado toast, and more!
Prep Time5 minutes
Additional Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Salad Dressings & Toppings
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Rachel Gurk

Ingredients

  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced (use a mandoline if you have one)
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 cup hot water (not boiling)

Instructions

  • Slice the red onions as thin as you can. I use a mandoline but a sharp knife works well, too.
    1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • Stuff all the red onions in the jar of your choice. A bowl works too but a jar is easier to store in the fridge.
  • In a measuring cup, combine apple cider vinegar, salt, sugar, and warm water. Stir to dissolve the sugar and salt. Pour the pickling mixture over the sliced onions, making sure they are immersed in the liquid, and let them set for an hour.
    1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 cup hot water
  • After an hour, cover and store in the fridge for up to three weeks.

Video

Notes

  • Storage: These will keep in the fridge for up to three weeks. If they look mushy or cloudy, or have a bad odor, toss them out and make a fresh batch. Be sure to wash and rinse the jar thoroughly or run it through the dishwasher.
  • Sweetener: Substitute maple syrup or honey for the granulated sugar if desired. For sweeter pickled onions, use more sweetener, for tangy pickled onions, use less.
  • Vinegar: If you prefer, substitute plain white distilled vinegar, rice vinegar, or white wine vinegar for the apple cider vinegar. A combination is fine, too.
  • Recipe is easily doubled. Make sure you have enough clean jars with lids. Sliced onions should be completely immersed in vinegar solution.

Nutrition

Calories: 14kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 437mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg

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