The BEST Pickled Onions Recipe (So Quick & Easy!)

Quick Pickled Onions are so easy to make at home. With just 5-minutes you can have your red onions pickling. Let them cool to room temperature before using and then you can store them in the fridge for up to two weeks!

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I’ve been making these quick pickled red onions for years now, but I’m finally just getting around to sharing this amazing recipe with you.

I love having a batch of these easy pickled onions on hand for adding to dishes throughout the week. They offer the most delicious punch and tang to dishes that might need a little brightening up.

I’ll add them to tacos and fish tacos, but I’ve been known to top my Instant Pot Dal, hot dogs, gryos and chicken quinoa gyro bowls with them too.

They’re also amazing on savory breakfast dishes like Mexican Breakfast Tostadas, Migas, corned beef hash, avocado toast and everything bagels with cream cheese. Or, add them to this Smoked Salmon Platter.

Ingredients for pickled onions labeled on counter.

Ingredients needed

  • Red Onion – You’ll want one small red onion that’s halved and thinly sliced. You can slice it using a sharp knife or a mandoline.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – In a pinch, you can also use white vinegar or rice vinegar. The white vinegar will be less sweet (so you may need more sugar). The rice vinegar will be more sweet, so adjust your sugar accordingly.
  • Lime Juice
  • Sugar – You can also use honey or maple syrup as a sweetener.
  • Kosher Salt
  • Red Pepper Flakes – I like to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to add a little bit of extra heat. If you don’t like spicy, feel free to leave the pepper flakes out. You could also add a bit of a regional flair to these pickled onions with my add-in suggestions below.

How to make pickled onions

  • Add the sliced onions to a medium bowl and pour enough boiling water over them to fully cover and count to 10. This 10-second shock in boiling water softens the onions, making them ready to absorb all that delicious pickling liquid. It also tames down the “heat” of the onions, making them a bit less potent.
  • Drain the onions and place in a mason jar or a bow.
  • Heat vinegar, lime juice, 1/8 cup sugar, chili flakes and salt in small saucepan over medium heat until sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes.
  • Pour the vinegar mixture over onions.
  • Allow to stand at room temperature, until fully cooled (about 30 minutes).
  • To store, cover and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

Recipe variations

  • Italian – Add in some garlic cloves, oregano and fennel seeds.
  • Mexican – Throw in some cumin, coriander seeds and cilantro.
  • Indian – Mustard seeds, fennel seeds and cilantro will add delicious flavor.

Note: Be sure not to throw out that magical pickling liquid when your onions are gone!

Use it anywhere you would typically add a splash of vinegar or citrus. It’s amazing in meat marinades and used in salad dressings, but it’s also super yummy in savory cocktails.

Make a dirty martini with it, or add a spoonful to your bloody mary or michelada.

Fork taking pickled onions out of jar.

How long until they’re ready?

The cook time for these quick pickled onions is under 5-minutes, but you’ll also want to account for the time it takes for them to cool down as well (about 1 hour).

I love to begin these quick pickled onions at the beginning of my meal prep, then, once the rest of dinner is ready, these onions are ready to go too!

How long do they last?

These pickled onions will keep in your refrigerator for up to two weeks. You may even want to make a double batch to have on hand.

Uses for pickled onions

Jar of pickled onions with fork on black background.

More fun ways to preserve vegetables 

Did you try this quick pickled red onions recipe?

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PS – If you loved this recipe, you may also enjoy these Caramelized Onions and these Crispy Air Fryer Onions!

Side shot of jar of pickled onions with pink background.

Pickled Red Onions

Quick Pickled Onions are so easy to make at home. With just 5-minutes you can have your red onions pickling. Let them cool to room temperature before using and then you can store them in the fridge for up to two weeks! 
5 from 18 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Cooling time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add sliced onions to a medium bowl. Pour enough boiling water over them to fully cover and count to 10. Drain onions and place in jar or bowl.
  • Heat vinegar, lime juice, 1/8 cup sugar, chili flakes and salt in small saucepan over medium heat until sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes.
  • Taste for sweetness and add more sugar as needed.
  • Pour vinegar mixture over onions.
  • Allow to stand at room temperature, until fully cooled. Cover and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Storage: These pickled onions will keep in your refrigerator for up to two weeks. 
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 750mg | Potassium: 318mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin C: 26.3mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 0.5mg

This post was originally published in 2018. It was updated in 2019 to add a video and update the content, and again in 2023 to update the content. The original pickled onion recipe remains the same. Enjoy! 

29 thoughts on “The BEST Pickled Onions Recipe (So Quick & Easy!)”

  1. I am legit obsessed with picked vegetables. When I make a batch I’m lucky if they last a day or two. You have some great suggestions for mixing up the spice combos to match them to different cuisines—I’ll try that next!

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    I LOVE pickled onions! I recently did some and brought them to a brunch potluck with my girlfriends. We had an avocado toast bar (haha, I know, I know) and this was a perfect topping! Can’t wait to incorporate some of your ideas into my next batch!

    Reply
  3. I just made this for the first time, and am so excited to try them! I do have a question about the amount of liquid the vinegar, lime juice combo should make. Mine does not appear to have completely covered the onions once I placed them in a bowl. Its close to covering them entirely, but not quite. Will they still pickle well, or should I have made more? Thanks in advance!

    Reply
    • I put mine in a pint jar and press them down a little to cover and rotate jar upside down to get it all pickled. I also keep in fridge several months, or until they are gone. Just like other pickles.

      Reply
  4. 5 stars
    Yummy! Was looking for something acidic to go with an easy kale salad, this fit the bill. Hubby loves onions and this was exceptional according to him. This can be used with many things- sandwiches, salads, and more. Thanks!

    Reply
  5. 5 stars
    Thanks for the recipe Erin! They are also delicious on top of honey and a little olive oil drizzled over goat cheese on top of spring mix, pecans and thinly sliced apples. The pickled onions give the salad a little ” kick”.

    Reply
5 from 18 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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