5 from 54 votes
Easy Pickled Onions
Easy Pickled Onions are thinly sliced red onions quickly pickled in a heated mixture of apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and garlic cloves. After a brief resting period, the onions develop a bright pink color and tender texture. They can be stored refrigerated for weeks and make a versatile condiment with a balance of tartness and mild sweetness.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
2 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
37 mins
Servings:
2
cups
Calories:
80 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 red onion sliced 1/4 inch thin, approximately 2 cups
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic fresh
Instructions
- Create Pickling Liquid: Add the vinegar, salt, and sugar to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat and stir until the sugar and the salt have fully dissolved. This will take approximately 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prep Onions: Slice the onions 1/4 inch thick with a sharp knife or mandoline.
- Fill Jar: Add garlic cloves to the bottom of your jar and then fill the jar with sliced onions. Pour cooled vinegar into the jar, ensuring all of the onions are covered.
- Rest: Let the onions rest on the counter for about 10 minutes to ensure the liquid has cooled and then store in the fridge. After about 30-60 minutes, once your onions are bright pink and tender, they're ready to enjoy. Store them in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Red onions are preferred, but other onion varieties can be used for pickling.
- Apple cider vinegar imparts a milder flavor; white vinegar can be substituted.
- For sweetness, substitute sugar with honey or maple syrup if preferred.
- Add garlic, herbs, peppercorns, or red pepper flakes to customize flavor.
- Slicing onions evenly helps achieve consistent tenderness and pickling time.
- Onions are ready when tender and bright pink, which varies with slice thickness.
Nutrition Information
Calories
80kcal
(4%)
Carbohydrates
12g
(4%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
0.1g
(0%)
Saturated Fat
0.03g
(0%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.01g
(0%)
Monounsaturated Fat
0.01g
(0%)
Sodium
1174mg
(49%)
Potassium
223mg
(5%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
1IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
5mg
(6%)
Calcium
31mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2 cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 80
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 80kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 0.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.03g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.01g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.01g | 0% |
| Sodium | 1174mg | 49% |
| Potassium | 223mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 31mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.