Need something to perk up your next Taco Tuesday? These Easy Pickled Onions are ready faster than it takes to warm up tortillas and will give your next dish the chef’s stamp of approval. These pickled onions are so simple and so irresistible, and they take an everyday dish from good to “damn delicious”!
These pickled onions go great with:
- Tacos
- Burgers
- Grilled meat
- Smoked salmon
- Curries
- Hearty salads
The brine is only 3 ingredients. That’s it.
The brine for these Easy Pickled Onions requires only 3 ingredients and is ready in only 30 minutes! It is by far one of the easiest recipes I’ve made that delivers maximum flavor and tang to your favorite meal like tacos, burgers, grilled chicken, and even salads.
This recipe can also be easily adjusted to make more or less. If you only want to pickle half an onion, simply use 1 cup of vinegar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of sugar!
Not only are these pickled onions super affordable to make, but they also keep for a long time in the fridge so you can add them to anything, anytime! Oh, and did I mention that they are the most gorgeous shade of pink? If you want to up the ante and make your meals visually stunning, look no further.
Are your meals lacking dimension? You could be missing an “acid component”.
If you’ve ever ordered a sandwich, a burger, or a taco at a restaurant, then you know that there is always one thing that comes with the meal: pickles. Love them or hate them, they are a KEY ingredient when rounding out a dish. Serious cooks know that if you really want to take a dish to the next level, then an acid component is essential.
But why? It’s all about balance. Acidic ingredients like lemon, vinegar, tomatoes, and even yogurt are added to dishes normally for one of the following reasons:
- Cut through fatty flavors and balance them, like in salmon and grilled meat
- Tenderize meat and seafood
- Brighten existing flavors in a dish, like salsa and salads
- Prevent browning of foods like avocadoes and apples
- Give characteristic tanginess to a dish (like borscht or hot and sour soup)
Choosing the Right Onion
When it comes to choosing the perfect onion for your pickles, I recommend using an onion with the following qualities:
- No visible blemishes, browning, or mold on the exterior
- A variety that is best raw, like red or white onions. Pearl and Vidalia onions are also a great alternative. (See my guide for more info on everything onions!)
- A young onion (one that is not slimy or mushy when cut)
Red wine vinegar is the secret ingredient to getting the perfect sweet-sour ratio
When it comes to choosing the right vinegar for the job, I highly recommend using red wine vinegar! Why? Red wine vinegar is made from red wine (duh) and therefore is one of the fruitier kinds of vinegar out there. It is also one of the few kinds that can tolerate warmth well due to its natural sugar content from the grapes.
If you can’t find red wine vinegar, here are some substitutes that will also work well in this recipe:
- White distilled vinegar + apple cider vinegar (this will be frutier but will still taste great)
- White distilled vinegar + white wine vinegar
- Plain ol’ white distilled vinegar (If you’d rather not have your pickles that sweet!)
If you want your Quick Pickled Onions to be extra sweet, use a Sweet Vidalia onion instead of adding more sugar
Vidalia onions are a special kind of onion only grown in Georgia and are insanely popular for their super sweet taste. Fortunately, most grocery stores carry this variety and they are a great alternative if you like your pickles to be extra sweet without adding more sugar.
The Vidalia onion has an interesting history and based on my own experience eating them, they are fantastic and will definitely give you that bump of sweetness if you prefer a milder onion.
The key to getting pickled onions in 30 minutes is to slice the onion paper-thin
Personally, I like my onions sliced paper-thin. So thin you can see through them! This is my secret trick to getting super flavorful pickles in 30 minutes or less. The thinner the onion slices are, the faster the brine will be able to soak into them and maximize flavor.
If you like a thicker onion slice (for more crunch factor, I get it!) then 30-45 minutes will still be enough time to get your onions sufficiently marinated. Thick or thin though, the longer they sit, the better they will taste!
To recap, here are my 3 best tips to get the most out of your pickled onions
- Make sure the vinegar mixture is a little warm before marinating the onions. This helps the brine really soak into the onion slices.
- Use an onion that is best raw, like red, white, Vidalia, and pearl onions.
- I highly recommend using red wine vinegar as it has good amount of tang and fruitiness to balance out the bite of the onion.
EQUIPMENT
- 1 Large Mason Jar
INGREDIENTS
- 1 red onion peeled, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 cups of red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 2 tablespoons of cane sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large mason jar, add the sliced onions.
- Pour in the vinegar, salt and sugar.
- Screw on the lid and shake the jar for 20 seconds.
- Refrigerate and let the onions marinate in the brine for 30 minutes or more until ready to serve.
- Keep refrigerated in a sealed mason jar for up to 3 weeks.
The Easiest Pickled Onions (30 Minutes Only!)
Equipment
- 1 Large Mason Jar
Ingredients
- 1 red onion peeled, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 cups of red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 2 tablespoons of cane sugar
Instructions
- In a large mason jar, add the sliced onions.
- Pour in the vinegar, salt and sugar.
- Screw on the lid and shake the jar for 20 seconds.
- Refrigerate and let the onions marinate in the brine for 30 minutes or more until ready to serve.
- Keep refrigerated in a sealed mason jar for up to 3 weeks.
