The Ultimate Guide to Pickled Red Onions: Sweet, Tangy & Crisp in Just 10 Minutes!
These quick pickled red onions are sweet, tangy, and perfectly crisp—ready in just minutes! With only 5 base ingredients, they’re an easy way to add a flavor boost to tacos, burgers, salads, sandwiches, and more. Customize them with optional spices for extra depth!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
▢ 2 medium red onions (or 3 small ones)
▢ 1 ¼ cup (300 ml) water
▢ 1 ¼ cup (300 ml) white vinegar
▢ 3 tbsp sugar (cane, coconut, or sugar-free substitute like erythritol)
▢ 1 tbsp sea salt
▢ ¼–½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Prepare the onions: Thinly slice the onions into rings or half-moons using a knife or mandoline. Pack them into a large mason jar (750 ml) or 2-3 smaller jars.
- Heat the water:Â Warm the water in a saucepan until just before simmering. Remove from heat.
- Make the brine: Add the salt, sugar, vinegar, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the warm water. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve.
- Pour & marinate:Â Pour the brine over the onions, pressing them down gently with a spoon. Seal the jar and refrigerate.
- For best flavor: Let them sit for at least 30 minutes, but ideally overnight for maximum tanginess.
Notes
- Sweetener options: Use coconut sugar, cane sugar, or erythritol for a sugar-free version.
- Extra flavor: Add peppercorns, garlic cloves, mustard seeds, or fresh herbs like thyme.
- Storage: Keeps for 2–3 weeks in the fridge.
Nutrition
- Calories: 18 kcal per serving
- Sugar: 3g
- Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g