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Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe
4.6 from 1,338 votes

Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe

Quick Pickled Red Onions are thinly sliced red onions soaked in a tangy mix of apple cider and red wine vinegars, sweetened with sugar and spiced with allspice and red pepper flakes. The onions develop a crisp yet tender texture and a balanced pickled flavor after resting in this vinegar blend. This recipe offers a straightforward way to add a bright, piquant condiment to sandwiches, salads, or tacos, with minimal preparation and an easy overnight chill to deepen the taste.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Calories: 24 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 red onion large
  • 1 c. apple cider vinegar
  • ½ c. red wine vinegar
  • ¼ c. sugar
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • ⅛ tsp. ground allspice
  • pinch red pepper flakes

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Slice the top and bottom off the onion and then slice onion in half, from top to bottom. Remove the outer peel. Lay the cut surfaces of the onion onto the cutting board, and then slice into half moons about 1/8" thick using a very sharp knife. I also recommend using a mandoline for slicing the onions, especially if you like super thin or very even slices.
  2. In a medium saucepan, whisk together apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, sugar, and salt. Place over medium-high heat and bring mixture to a boil. Whisk until sugar and salt dissolve, then remove pan from heat and whisk in allspice and red pepper flakes.
  3. Carefully add sliced onion to the pan and gently stir to combine. Let mixture cool completely at room temperature, stirring occasionally.
  4. Pour into a glass container (I like to use a large canning jar), cover tightly with a lid, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. The pickled flavor will intensify over time, but it's good to go after resting overnight in the refrigerator. This recipe is for refrigerator pickling only and needs to be stored in a refrigerator. Enjoy for up to one month.

Notes

  • Use a very sharp knife or mandoline to achieve thin, even onion slices for optimal pickling.
  • Let the pickled onions chill overnight in the refrigerator to deepen the flavor.
  • Store pickled onions in a sealed glass container and consume within a couple of weeks for best freshness.
  • Red pepper flakes provide a mild heat; adjust quantity to taste.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 24kcal (1%) Carbohydrates 6g (2%) Sodium 147mg (6%) Sugar 5g (10%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 24

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 24kcal 1%
Carbohydrates 6g 2%
Sodium 147mg 6%
Sugar 5g 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.