Bright & Bold Pickled Red Onions (Quick & Easy!)

Need a quick pickled red onions recipe? This is it! Adds a brilliant zing to tacos, salads, cheese boards & more. My secret for extra crispness inside!

May 29, 2025
By Chloe Patel.

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Right, let's dive into these bright & bold pickled red onions ! honestly, are you even living if you haven't tried these? this pickled red onions recipe is a game-changer.

It’s a cinch to make and adds such a flavour bomb to, well, everything . we're talking tangy, sweet, and a teeny bit spicy.

It all amounts to pure joy.

Quick Question: Are You Ready to Pucker Up?

This pickled vegetables recipe has become my go-to for jazzing up pretty much anything. these quick pickled wonders trace their roots back to various culinary traditions.

Pickling has long been used to preserve foods and add a delightful tang. it's dead easy, needs hardly any of your time, and makes about a jar and a half – enough to keep you going.

Bright & Bold Pickled Red Onions (Quick & Easy!) Recipe Card

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Preparation time:15 Mins

Cooking time:5 Mins

Servings:1.5 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 large red onion, thinly sliced (about 8 oz / 225g)
• 1 cup (240ml) water
• 1 cup (240ml) white vinegar
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt (or 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt)
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, whole
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of kick)

Instructions:

• Thinly slice the red onion into half-moons.
• In a saucepan, combine water, white vinegar, sugar, salt, peppercorns, and red pepper flakes (if using).
• Bring the brine to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar and salt are dissolved.
• Place the sliced red onions in a jar or heat-proof bowl. Pour the hot brine over the onions, making sure they are completely submerged.
• Let the mixture cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks. The onions will get better the longer they sit, so ideally let them pickle for at least 2 hours. For best results, sterilise your jar before pickling.

Why You Need These In Your Life

One of the best things about this red onion recipes is that they actually offer some health benefits. red onions are packed with antioxidants and this quick pickled red onions recipe retains some of those good bits! plus, serving these at a bbq or a summer get-together? instant star status.

Trust me, this recipe is special because it's so versatile and just so damn tasty.

In A Pickle? The Ingredients Sorted

To whip up a batch of these quick pickled beauties, you'll need a large red onion. think about 8 oz (225g) give or take.

One cup (240ml) each of water and white vinegar. half a cup (100g) of sugar, and a tablespoon of kosher salt.

A teaspoon of peppercorns will do the trick. i like to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for an extra kick.

Midwest Living: Not Just Cornfields!

We can even find pickled foods here. my grandma, bless her heart, made the best pickled veggies around. this reminds me of her pickled vegetables recipe, but with a modern, quicker twist.

Seriously, give this a try and see for yourself!

Alright, let's dive into what you'll need to whip up this pickled red onions recipe ! it’s easier than putting the kettle on, honestly.

These little gems will seriously brighten up your dishes. think tacos, salads, or even just chucking them on a cheese board.

Lush.

Ingredients & Equipment

Right, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. First, ingredients. I still recall when I began I was really 'in a pickle' to find the best vinegar for the job, so I tried different ones, it ended up quite the pickled vegetables recipe journey!

Main Ingredients

• 1 large red onion, thinly sliced. That's around 8 oz / 225g .
• 1 cup (240ml) water. Simple as that.
• 1 cup (240ml) white vinegar. This gives it that zing!
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar. Balances the tang.
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Or 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt.
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, whole. Adds a subtle warmth.
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Optional, but for those who like a bit of a kick.

Now, when it comes to the red onion, you want a firm one. not squishy! that's key for that lovely crunch.

Think "fresh from the farmer's market" kinda vibe. you might think of it in a midwest living style recipe.

Seasoning Notes

Okay, so the spice combo here is proper simple but works wonders. Black peppercorns add a gentle warmth. Red pepper flakes? Well, that’s just to wake things up a bit.

Honestly, you can mess about with this a bit. throw in some mustard seeds if you're feeling fancy! or even a bay leaf for a more complex flavour.

Flavour enhancers? a tiny splash of balsamic vinegar can work. quick swaps? apple cider vinegar works instead of white vinegar.

Equipment Needed

Listen, you don't need a load of fancy kit for this. Here’s what you’ll actually need:

• Cutting board. Obvious.
• Sharp knife. Or a mandoline if you’re feeling pro. Thin slices are key!
• Medium saucepan. To heat up that brine.
• Measuring cups and spoons. Gotta be precise!
• Sterilized Jar. Or any airtight container.

Don’t have a fancy jar? don't sweat it. a clean tupperware will do the trick. just make sure it's got a lid.

Remember to sterilise your jar or container, it is not fully canning but the pickled foods tend to last longer this way

And that's it! nothing too scary, eh? time to get slicing and pickling! this quick pickled red onions recipe is about to become your new best mate in the kitchen.

Enjoy this quick pickled delight! also, i'm telling you that red onion recipes are going to be the best, you heard it here first!

Right, let's dive into this pickled red onions recipe ! seriously, these things are addictive. i stumbled upon pickling veggies years ago when i was trying to impress a date, and it's been a game-changer ever since.

It's also a real nod to the kind of midwest living my grandma adored. let's get you in a pickle , but the good kind!

Prep Like a Pro

First, the essential mise en place . grab your red onion (a big one), water, white vinegar, sugar, salt, peppercorns, and red pepper flakes if you’re feeling brave.

Honestly, the red pepper flakes are optional but do add a kick. you know? i sometimes add a dried chilli if i'm feeling extra daring.

For time-saving, slice your onion now. This will save you time when things get moving.

Step-by-Step to Pickled Perfection

1. Slice it Thin: Thinly slice your red onion. I'm talking really thin.
2. Brine Time: Add 1 cup water, 1 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon salt, peppercorns and red pepper flakes to a pan.
3. Simmer Away: Heat until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Stir it, stir it good.
4. Submerge: Plonk your onions into a jar and pour the hot brine over them. Make sure they are fully submerged.
5. Cool Down: Let it cool. Then, pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes . Longer is better!

Pro Tips for Pickled Red Onions Recipe Glory

Wanna take your quick pickled red onions to the next level?

First, sterilise the jar, it's a great way to keep your product.

Here's a trick: massage your sliced onions with a bit of salt before pickling. This helps soften them up. It's honestly amazing. You should try this Pickled Vegetables Recipe .

Another tip: Don't overcook the brine. You're not trying to make a reduction, just dissolve the sugar and salt.

Don't Be That Bloke!

Common mistakes? Not slicing the onions thin enough. Honestly, the thinner, the better. Also, don't skip the cooling step.

These will last for a good few weeks in the fridge. They also make great gifts with cheese. Sorted.

Right then, let's chat about what to do after you've made your absolutely cracking pickled red onions recipe . honestly, these little gems are so versatile.

It's like, where can't you use them?

Recipe Rundown: Extra Bits and Bobs

Plating Perfection and Drink Pairings

Right, presentation matters, yeah? don't just chuck your quick pickled red onions on a plate! think about it. a few artfully arranged slivers on top of some smashed avo on toast? bangin'.

Or how about nestled next to a dollop of greek yogurt and some grilled chicken? the midwest living vibe is strong!

As for drinks, I reckon something crisp and refreshing works best. A nice cold lager, or even a sparkling elderflower presse. Ooh, and if you're feeling fancy, a dry rosé. Lovely!

Storing Your Pickled Goodness

So, you've made a batch of these pickled veggies , what next? Easy peasy.

• Fridge Time: These will happily keep in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks. Just make sure they're submerged in the brine.
• Freezing? Nah, wouldn't recommend it. Pickled foods and freezing don't really mix. You will end up with a strange texture.
• Reheating? You don't reheat pickled red onions. They're a cold condiment, innit?

Variations on a Theme – Getting In a Pickle

Fancy mixing things up a bit? I get it. I personally love adding a thinly sliced chilli for a bit of a kick! Here are a couple more ideas:

• Honey Sweetness: Ditch the regular sugar and use honey. It gives them a lovely floral flavour.
• Vinegar Variety: Swap half the white vinegar for balsamic for a richer, deeper taste. Adding chilli to the red onion recipes gives a whole new dimension.

Little Look at Nutrition

Right, let's be real. these aren't exactly a health food. but they do have some benefits! red onions are packed with antioxidants.

Plus, a little bit of vinegar is good for digestion. so, go on, treat yourself.

Here’s a simplified breakdown: each serving (around 2 tablespoons) is about 30 calories. it has little protein and fat, with approximately 7g of carbs and 6g of sugar.

There is also about 250mg of sodium. this is, of course, an estimate.

Go On, Have a Go!

So there you have it! a foolproof pickled red onions recipe and all the info you need to make them a success.

Seriously, give it a go. you won't regret it! now you know the secret to great quick pickled flavour. and don't forget, you can absolutely use this recipe to create other pickled vegetables recipe .

Good luck!