Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (2024)

Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (1)

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Quick pickled red onions are all kinds of easy and all kinds of delicious. Marinated onions can be used in all sorts of dishes, from breakfast to appetizers and main dishes.

If you are looking for a condiment to give your tacos, nachos, salads and burgers a tangy kick, look no further than these Quick Pickled Red Onions.

Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (2)

Pickling red onions takes a lot of the raw onion bite out of them but still keeps some of the fabulous oniony flavor. This recipe also gets some heat from sliced jalapeño peppers.

What ingredients do you need:

Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (3)

RED ONION: You want to thinly slice them. Thick sliced onions won’t work as well in this recipe

GARLIC: Minced small.

JALAPEÑO: This is totally optional. It does make the onions a bit spicier. If you don’t want them to be too spicy, you can absolutely leave it out.

CUMIN: Adds a touch of smokiness that makes these the perfect topping for tacos.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: Gives these pickled red onions the tanginess that you associate with pickles.

SALT: No special salt needed, kosher works fine.

SUGAR: Sugar helps cut the acidity of the vinegar.

Step by Step Instructions:

A couple great things about his recipe, unlike traditional pickles, you don’t need any special equipment. No canning equipment. Not even any cooking!

Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (4)

All you need to do is whisk together the vinegar, water, sugar, salt and cumin in a large bowl. Next, add the red onions, jalapeños and garlic. Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours.

DES’ TIP:Make sure that the onions and jalapeños are submerged in the vinegar mixture so that they all pickle.

Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (5)

How long do quick pickled red onions last?

Because these red onions are not canned, they need to be kept in the refrigerator. As far as leftovers, I prefer my onions to still have a bit of a crunch to them so I say they are best eaten within a week. They start to get soft after a while.

Looking for something to put these pickled red onions on? Try these adding them to these recipes:

Crispy Fish Tacos

Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sauce

Bourbon BBQ Cheeseburgers

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

Onion fan? Check out these recipes where onions are the star!

Fried Onion Rings

French Onion Dip

Sautéed Mushrooms and Onions

Note: This recipe was originally posted in 2014. It was updated in 2021 with new photos and nutrition facts.

Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (6)

Quick Pickled Red Onions

Quick pickled red onions make the perfect topping for nachos, tacos, salads and more. Learn how to marinate onions and get the pickling recipe here.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 hrs

Total Time 2 hrs

Course Side Dishes

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 2 Servings

Calories 32 kcal

Ingredients

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3/4 cup warm water
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 medium red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 - 2 jalapenos sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

  • Whisk together vinegar, water, sugar, salt and cumin. Continue whisking until sugar is dissolved.

  • Place red onion, jalapenos and garlic in a bowl. Pour vinegar mixture over the top. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Cover and chill for an additional 1 - 2 hours. Serve.

  • Store onions covered in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Will keep refrigerated for about a week.

Notes

Nutrition facts for estimation purposes only.

Nutrition

Calories: 32kcalCarbohydrates: 5.8gProtein: 0.5gFat: 0.1gSodium: 587mgFiber: 0.8gSugar: 3.5g

Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!

Keywords: pickled onions, red onions

Leave a Comment

  • Reply

    Kathi

    March 18, 2022 at 12:58 am

    Can you use Stevia instead of real sugar?

    • Reply

      Deseree

      March 18, 2022 at 4:16 pm

      Hi Kathi, I am not sure since I don’t use Stevia. However, since it’s just used to balance out the acidity of the vinegar, I think it would be ok!

  • Reply

    Adria

    December 12, 2018 at 5:55 pm

    Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (7)
    Wow, I’ve been making pickled onions for a long time, but the jalapeños & cumin added something extra. Thank you!!!

    • Reply

      Deseree

      December 13, 2018 at 7:58 am

      You are so welcome!

  • Reply

    Regan @ Healthy Aperture

    July 17, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    I love pickled onions and have been wondering the best way to make them. Now I know :)

  • Reply

    Beth B

    July 17, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    Is it weird that I want to drink the juice? It’s so pretty, hehe :)

  • Reply

    Janalyn K Salhaney

    July 17, 2015 at 11:31 am

    This makes me want a refrigerator filled with little jars of beautifully colored condiments :) Bet they taste great, too!

  • Reply

    Dee Dee Eberle

    July 17, 2015 at 10:24 am

    Aside from just being so pretty, these look delicious too! In fact, I just posted about bacon-stuffed waffles this morning, and I suggested changing up toppings to include caramelized onions. Well, why not spicy pickled onions?! That would be a flavor BOMB together! :o)

    • Reply

      Des @ Life's Ambrosia

      July 18, 2015 at 12:49 am

      Well I am kind of in love with that idea!

  • Reply

    MomOnTimeout

    July 17, 2015 at 9:59 am

    Oh man do these look good! Definitely a condiment that should be in every fridge!

  • Reply

    Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits

    July 17, 2015 at 7:45 am

    I LOVE pickled onions. They’re great for tacos, and I love throwing it on a salad, too!

  • Reply

    Manila Spoon

    July 17, 2015 at 7:04 am

    These pickled onions will surely perk-up tacos or nachos as you mentioned! Love the idea! Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply

    Kaitie Lawlor

    July 17, 2015 at 5:30 am

    They look amazing and so easy to make! Perfect when you have a BBQ with friends or family!!

  • Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe | Life's Ambrosia (2024)

    FAQs

    Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe | Life's Ambrosia? ›

    Fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut or pickled red onions contain high amounts of good probiotics and digestive enzymes. Maintaining a healthy gut flora can aid your digestion and overall energy levels.

    Are quick pickled onions good for you? ›

    Fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut or pickled red onions contain high amounts of good probiotics and digestive enzymes. Maintaining a healthy gut flora can aid your digestion and overall energy levels.

    Do quick pickled onions go bad? ›

    How Long Do Quick Pickled Onions Last in the Refrigerator? Pickled onions can last in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. I like them best during the first week because they are the most crisp, but they're still yummy later on.

    Why do you soak onions in salt water before pickling? ›

    I always like to salt and soak the onions before pickling. This gets rid of the harsh 'bite' that often makes raw-onions unappetizing. Soaking them for a short time in hot water softens the onions slightly, priming them for quicker, more thorough absorption of the vinegar brine.

    Can I use leftover pickle juice to pickle red onions? ›

    To Pickle Other Things

    If you have vegetables that would be good pickled, like onions, garlic, carrots or green beans, toss them in the jar of leftover pickle juice, and see what happens.

    Is it OK to eat pickled onions everyday? ›

    Pickled onions are high in sodium, which can cause health problems if consumed in excess. Sodium is a mineral that is essential for the proper functioning of the body, but consuming too much of it can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and other health issues.

    Do pickled onions burn belly fat? ›

    Weight loss is about burning more calories than you eat, so simply eating pickles won't melt away the pounds. But pickles are low in calories — so they can fit into a weight loss, calorie-controlled diet — and have some properties that might help with fat loss.

    Can you reuse quick pickled onion brine? ›

    Pro tip, if you eat the onions quickly, you can reuse the brine. Add more sliced red onions to the mixture and start again. You can also try pickling other sturdy vegetables like sliced radishes, carrots, or small cauliflower florets. If the brine is cloudy or has a bad odor, discard and start with a fresh batch.

    How to tell if pickled red onions are bad? ›

    If they give off an off-putting or sour smell, it's best to discard them. Additionally, if you spot any signs of mold, it's time to say goodbye. Changes in color from vibrant pink to brown or a slime-like texture are also indicators of spoilage.

    How does Bobby Flay pickled onions? ›

    Place the vinegar, 1/4 cup of olive oil, sugar, peppercorns and thyme in a large noncorrosive saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the onions to the hot liquid and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and allow the onions to steep for at least 2 hours or overnight.

    Why boil vinegar before pickling? ›

    This is typically done by drenching the jars in boiling water to kill all micro-organisms that may be lingering on the glass. You would not typically put the veggies in hot water. This would have the effect of partially cooking the veggies. Making your pickle less pickle and more weak soup.

    Why do you boil before pickling? ›

    You take all of your ingredients, apart from the product that is being pickled, and bring them to a boil. The heating process helps activate the flavors in the brine and marry them together.

    Why should you not pour pickle juice down the drain? ›

    Pickle juice is full of vinegar, and vinegar is great for the stomach. Acid reflux is often caused by not having enough normal acid in the stomach, and the vinegar helps by introducing more acetic acid into the digestive tract. Acetic acid is also effective against some bacteria and microbes.

    How long do quick pickled red onions last in the fridge? ›

    Set aside to cool to room temperature, then store the onions in the fridge. Your pickled onions will be ready to eat once they're bright pink and tender - about 1 hour for very thinly sliced onions, or overnight for thicker sliced onions. They will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

    Can I reuse quick pickling liquid? ›

    How many times can I reuse pickle juice? To be on the safe side, we wouldn't recommend reusing it more than once, although some say you can safely reuse it 2 or 3 times. Again, watch for changes in the clarity of the brine. BONUS!

    Is Quick pickling good for you? ›

    While quick pickles do have some of the blood sugar and healthy gut benefits of regular pickles, they don't undergo the full fermentation process to form lactic acid, and so they have fewer of the probiotics.

    Are pickled onions a healthy food? ›

    By incorporating pickled onions into your diet, you may help reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall cardiovascular function. Pickled onions are not only a tasty condiment but also a nutritional powerhouse packed with antioxidants, probiotics, and anti-inflammatory compounds.

    Do pickled onions have health benefits? ›

    Helps digestion – It may put you off hearing that fermented foods have live bacteria in them but don't worry, it's good bacteria! Known as probiotics, it's thought to help digestive health. Controlling blood sugar – The vinegar-based brine in pickles is thought to help stabilize blood glucose levels.

    Are quick pickled vegetables good for you? ›

    Did you know that pickled and fermented foods are actually really good for you? Not only are they delicious but they're packed full of minerals, vitamins and good bacteria.

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