Quick Pickled Red Onions

Quick Pickled Red Onions are a simple, zangy (that’s a made up word from my husband) addition to perk up just about any dish.

Recently, I asked some of my friends what annoys them about recipe websites. A few of them said, “That thing where bloggers write about random things like their pets or Game of Thrones before getting to the actual recipe.”

I try to keep my recipe posts less on the “Dear Diary” side (ha!) and more on the informative side, but did you know there’s a practical reason why bloggers don’t just post the recipe itself?

It has to do with search engines, boring enough as it may sound. Basically, search engines like Google penalize what they deem poor quality content and reward “better quality” posts through a complex algorithm.

It’s one of those games of “guess what we want you to do.” Not actually very fun.

Generally that means that posts with fewer than 300 words are dead meat. If you dig far enough back in the archives (please don’t!) you’ll see I still have lots of 2011-era posts with less than 300 words. If I only knew then what I know now.

So that’s the reason for all the small talk 😉 I promise it’s not to annoy you or keep you scrolling.

Anyhow, let’s discuss this Quick Pickled Red Onion situation. I’ve loved sour, tangy, and pickled food ever since I can remember.

Normally I get my daily fix from fermented veggies – probiotics and gut health, for the win! – but every once in a while I throw together something pickled.

(For fermented goodness, check out my Beet Ginger Sauerkraut or Fermented Ginger Carrots.)

What to Put Your Pickled Red Onions On

These Quick Pickled Red Onions add a punch of bright flavor to pretty much anything: eggs, tacos, pulled pork, salads, and wraps. I love red onion, but when they’re raw, they totally overwhelm my taste buds.

Pickling them makes their sharpness mellow out quite a bit. And by quick pickling, they’re ready to eat in about 30 minutes…if you can wait that long.

What Kind of Vinegar to Use for Pickling the Onions

I like to use apple cider, red wine, or white wine vinegars for these pickled red onions. Also, I toss in some spices like whole peppercorns, whole coriander seed, bay leaves, and whole cloves.

If you’re in a rush or you don’t have one or more of those ingredients, don’t sweat it. You can easily make this recipe with just the onions, vinegar, water, and salt.

How to Slice Your Onions

For best results, make sure your onions are thinly sliced. I use a mandolin (see the one I have) to make quick work of it, but a sharp knife will do the job, too.

Your Quick Pickled Red Onions will keep for a couple weeks in the fridge. I toss them in a Mason jar, throw a lid on, and they’re good to go.

Pin this Quick Pickled Red Onions recipe for later!

Pickled Red Onions

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 6 kcal

Author: Steph Gaudreau

Pickled Red Onions add a zing of flavor to just about any dish. This quick pickle recipe is sugar-free, paleo, Whole30, and gluten-free and is ready in under 45 minutes.

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Ingredients

• 1 red onion medium-large, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 tsp whole coriander seeds
• 1/4 tsp whole black peppercorns
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions

1. In a small pot over high heat, combine the vinegar, water, coriander seeds, peppercorns, salt, cloves, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil then remove from the heat.
2. Put the sliced onions in a medium bowl. Pour the hot liquid (carefully) over the onions. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes. 
3. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. 

Recipe Notes

I use this to slice the onions very thinly.

Nutrition Facts

Pickled Red Onions

Amount Per Serving

Calories 6

% Daily Value*

Sodium 50mg 2%

Potassium 20mg 1%

Total Carbohydrates 1g 0%

Vitamin C 0.8%

Calcium 0.2%

Iron 0.2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

What’s your favorite pickled veggie? Let me know in the comments below!