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    Home » Basics

    Quick Pickled Red Onions

    Published: Aug 11, 2023 · Modified: Aug 29, 2023 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    54 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Learn how to make quick pickled red onions in 15 minutes using only 3 ingredients. Add them to sandwiches, salads, bowls and more!

    overhead shot of pickled red onions.

    Pickles are always an addition to our meals. Whether it's pink pickled turnips on beef shawarma or quick pickled cabbage on kumpir, pickles add some good tanginess and flavor to our dishes. This pickled red onions recipe is one I make often because it goes with almost everything! Follow along to see how easy it is to make this recipe!

    Table Of Contents:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Pickled Red Onions
    • Variations
    • What Are Pickled Red Onions Good For?
    • Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Condiment Recipes
    • Step-by-Step Recipe

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Easy: This is a simple pickled red onions recipe that require no special skills. It's perfect for beginners and it'll transform your meals!
    • Quick: Similar to my sumac onion, you only need 15 minutes from start to finish! Use a mandoline and you'll be done within 10 minutes!
    • Goes with everything: You can add these to almost any dish, from wraps and sandwiches to rice bowls and salads, these pickled onions always elevate the dish!

    Ingredients

    • Red onions: Make sure the red onions are crisp and not soft on the outside. You need to peel them and remove the outer layer.
    • Salt: Kosher salt works best for this recipe.
    • Vinegar: The best thing about these pickled onions is that you can use different types of vinegar. I have tried this recipe with apple cider vinegar as well as white vinegar and both work for this recipe.

    How To Make Pickled Red Onions

    Slice the red onion, place in a colander and pour water over. Place in a container and top with vinegar.
    1. Thinly slice the onion using a sharp knife or a mandoline.
    2. Place the sliced red onion in a colander over a large bowl. Pour some hot water over the onions. This will make them a bit softer and milder.
    3. Place the onions in a container or a mason jar, add in the salt and mix to combine.
    4. Add in the apple cider vinegar enough to cover the onions. Seal the lid and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

    Variations

    There are a few ways to jazz up these pickled red onions. Here are a few suggestions:

    • Use different types of vinegar including rice vinegar, white vinegar and red wine vinegar.
    • Add spices such as peppercorn, coriander and cumin seeds.
    • Add a couple of bay leaves for more flavor.
    • Add a couple cloves of garlic for a nice subtle kick.
    Front shot of pickled onions

    What Are Pickled Red Onions Good For?

    You can add these to many dishes, here are a few of our favorites:

    • Use in salads: You can add these pickled red onions to salads such as chicken shawarma salad, kisir or Mediterranean tuna salad.
    • Serve with grilled dishes: Serve with our famous spatchcock chicken, chenjeh kabob, grilled salmon or grilled branzino.
    • Sandwiches and wraps: Add pickled red onions to sandwiches and wraps such as avocado caprese sandwich, steak sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, arayes or roast beef sliders.
    • And many more dishes: Pickled red onions go well with rice dishes such as Middle Eastern chicken and rice, one pot tomato rice and even mujadara.

    Storage

    Keep the pickled red onions in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. I don't recommend freezing these pickles since they will lose their flavor and texture.

    You can keep pickled red onions for 3 weeks.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long do pickled red onions last?

    They last up to 3 weeks in the fridge. It's best to keep them in an airtight glass container.

    Can you pickle red onions without white vinegar?

    Yes, you can use rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar.

    Do you have to boil vinegar for pickling?

    You don't need to boil vinegar for this particular recipe.

    Do you need to add sugar to pickling vinegar?

    I like my pickled red onions tangy so I don't add sugar. However, if you like the pickles with some sweetness, add 1 teaspoon granulated sugar.

    More Condiment Recipes

    • Turkish Ezme Recipe
    • Preserved Lemons Recipe
    • Persian Pickles with Tomatoes - Torshi Mashhadi
    • Middle Eastern pickled turnips in a bowl.
      Middle Eastern Pickled Turnips

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    Pickled red onions.

    Pickled Red Onions

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    Lean how to make quick pickled red onions in 15 minutes using only 3 ingredients. Add them to sandwiches, salads, bowls and more!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Basic, condiments, Side Dish
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 8
    Calories 15 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 red onion
    • 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
    • 1 ½ cup apple cider vinegar

    Instructions
     

    • Peel the onion and thinly slice it. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline.
    • Place the sliced red onions in a colander over a bowl. Pour some hot water over the onions. This will make the onions softer and milder.
    • Place the sliced onions in a container or a mason jar. Mix in the kosher salt.
    • Fill the container with apple cider vinegar so it covers the red onions. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

    Video

    Notes

    • You can keep these quick pickled red onions refrigerated for up to 3 weeks. 
    • It's possible to use other types of vinegar including white vinegar, rice vinegar or red wine vinegar. 
    • Serve these pickled red onions in sandwiches, wraps, salads, bowls and more. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 15kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.01gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.003gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.001gSodium: 439mgPotassium: 53mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 0.3IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 0.1mg
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Crystal

      August 23, 2023 at 11:23 am

      Do you drain the hot water off of the onions?

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        August 23, 2023 at 1:01 pm

        Yes

        Reply
    2. Beth

      August 14, 2023 at 8:06 am

      5 stars
      I love pickled red onions. This recipe is one of the best I've made because it's so fast.

      Reply
    3. Chenee

      August 14, 2023 at 7:20 am

      5 stars
      I had a turkey wrap the other day and it just seemed so....thin. I am making these specifically today just so I can have another turkey wrap lol. Thank you!

      Reply
    4. Casey

      August 14, 2023 at 7:19 am

      5 stars
      I could eat these all by themselves, but they are so good on top of a salad! I can't wait to try them on other things, too.

      Reply
    5. Sisley

      August 14, 2023 at 6:37 am

      5 stars
      Since making this recipe I have been adding pickled red onions to everything I can!

      Reply

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