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    Home » Recipes » Techniques

    Published: January 25, 2021 | Last Modified: March 4, 2021 by Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju | This post may contain affiliate links. 💬 - 1 Comment

    Sweet and Spicy Pickled Onions

    Dairy Free RecipesGluten Free RecipesNut Free RecipesVegan Recipes
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    Easy quick pickled onion recipe that comes together in 15 minutes. Goes great on tacos, and keeps in the fridge for 2-3 weeks!
    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

    There's nothing quite like the taste of sweet pickled onions - crunchy but not pungent, and great as a taco topper. I love pickling onions and adding them to everything!

    Jar of pickled onions with fork holding some of it

    This post contains helpful tips and tricks! If you're in a rush, please use the "Jump to Recipe" link!

    This post might contain affiliate links. If you click on those and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to:
    • 💭 Why you'll love this recipe
    • 📋 Ingredients and notes
    • 📖 Step-by-step instructions
    • 👩🏽‍🍳Top tips and FAQs
    • 🍴 Serving and storage suggestions
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    💭 Why you'll love this recipe

    • Sweet and spicy: Onions when pickled, take on a really sweet taste and when pickled in a liquid with some red pepper flakes, provide the perfect complement of flavors!
    • Super easy to make: This recipe comes together in literally 15 minutes, and needs basic ingredients you probably have at home.
    • SO versatile: I love adding sweet pickled onions to everything - Tacos? Check. Grain bowls? Check. Sandwiches? Check. Eat them raw? You bet.

    📋 Ingredients and notes

    You'll need a red onion, a cup of distilled white vinegar, salt, sugar, garlic cloves and some red pepper flakes (if you choose to make it spicy!)

    Labeled ingredient list for pickled onions - details in recipe card!

    Notes and Variations

    • Adjust seasoning: This is a simple pickled onion recipe, but you can also adjust the seasoning if you want to make it more spicy, more sweet (e.g. by adding cinnamon sticks) or use other warm spices in the pickling liquid!
    • Works with other onions: I've used red onions here because it provides the sweetest flavors for pickling, but this recipe works great with whatever onions you have on hand. And if you're interested in other types of pickled onions - check out my Mexican pickled onions (with just four ingredients!), my pickled white onions, or pickled shallots!

    📖 Step-by-step instructions

    Slice the onions thinly and place in a jar

    You'll want your onions sliced quite thinly, so I suggest using a sharp Chef's knife or a Mandoline slicer for this step. You can either slice it in whole circles, or chop the onion into halves, and then slice those pieces.

    Close of up onion slices

    Place these onions along with two to three cloves of garlic, and some red pepper flakes in a large enough jar (you'll want enough space so the liquid can cover all the onions)

    Prepare the pickling liquid and pour into jar

    In a small sauce pan, add vinegar, equal parts water, salt, and sugar and heat until the sugar and salt fully dissolve in the liquid. Then, pour this liquid into the jar with onions. Let it sit uncovered until the brine cools down.

    Pouring pickling liquid into jar with onions

    Give it all a quick stir and toss it in the fridge

    Ideally, I recommend placing this in the fridge for about an hour or two, but make sure to chill at least 30 minutes before serving. Your quick pickled sweet onions are ready!

    Side view of jar of pickled onions

    👩🏽‍🍳Top tips and FAQs

    How long do pickled onions last?

    The pickled onions will last in refrigerator, in an airtight container, somewhere between two to three weeks. The longer you leave them in the fridge, the stronger the pickling effect!

    What is the best vinegar for pickled onions?

    I typically use simple white distilled vinegar to keep the recipe easy. However, any type of acid should work - so you can substitute with apple cider vinegar, or even lime juice (check out my Mexican quick pickled onions recipe!) Other types of vinegar (say, red or white wine vinegar) also work - but the flavor profile is different!

    What can you eat with pickled onions?

    Oh, my word, everything! The most obvious answer is to use them as a taco topper (say, for my gochujang cauliflower tacos or fried avocado tacos) - but you can also use them in salads (for instance, my summer spinach and avocado salad). But my favorite? Add them to avocado toast. You simply won't go wrong!

    🍴 Serving and storage suggestions

    This recipe takes about an hour to make, assuming 45 minutes of chill time, and will last in your fridge for 2-3 weeks. Note that this has to be stored in an airtight jar or container in the fridge, and the recipe as written, is not meant for canning.

    If you like this recipe, don't forget to try out my avocado pickle or jalapeno pickle recipe!

    Did you make this recipe?! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Please leave a comment and a star rating and let me know how it went! We love hearing from you, thank you so much

    📖 Recipe

    Close up of pickled onions on a fork
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Easy, Sweet Quick Pickled Onions

    Easy quick pickled onion recipe that comes together in 15 minutes. Goes great on tacos, and keeps in the fridge for 2-3 weeks!
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Chill Time30 mins
    Total Time1 hr
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings: 16 servings
    Calories: 15kcal
    Author: Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju

    Ingredients

    • 1 red onion, medium sized, sliced thinly
    • 1 cup distilled white vinegar, can substitute with apple cider vinegar
    • 1 cup water
    • 3 tablespoons sugar
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 cloves of garlic, can be minced or whole
    • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

    Instructions

    • Slice the onions as thinly as possible - I typically use sharp cuts on my knife or a mandoline slicer. Place garlic, red pepper flakes, and sliced onions in a jar with a tight fitting lid
    • Add the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan over low to medium heat and heat - keep stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve completely (this takes about 1-2 minutes depending on your stove).
    • Pour this liquid into the jar with the onions, and let it cool down to room temperature (about 10 minutes) and then chill in the fridge, at least 30 minutes. Your pickled onions are ready to go!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 15kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 149mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 37IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag @urbanfarmie or #urbanfarmie to let me know – I would LOVE to see your creations!
    « Pickled Avocado (aka How to Preserve Avocados!)
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    Comments

    1. AJ

      February 06, 2022 at 2:05 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe was so easy, but yet so delicious. I have put the pickled onions on my street tacos and deli sandwiches. Will definitely be making this again.

      Reply

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    Shruthi Baskaran - Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, and Blogger at Urban Farmie

    I am Shruthi, the recipe developer, photographer and blogger behind Urban Farmie. I have two graduate degrees from Stanford, one focused on food systems. And I hope to bring you everything you need for healthy-ish, comforting, nourishing vegetarian cooking.

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