Skip to content

Get 5 Secrets to Make Homemade Taste Food Better + New Recipes Weekly!

    Published August 10, 2022. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    This simple-to-prepare pickled red onions recipe is a great way to enhance the flavor of your favorite sandwich, salad, or tacos.

    pickled red onions in a jar

    Pickled red onions consist of onions that are submerged in a sweet and salty brine solution to help preserve their shelf life and add flavor. Utilizing this pickling technique is one of the easiest things you can do to take your food to the next level. The combination of flavors in them provides a perfect balance, especially when being served alongside or on top of your favorite foods. My recipe also does not require any heating or canning procedures.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    • Onions – Red onions are the best option; However, you can use white, sweet, or yellow onions.
    • Vinegar – I believe red wine vinegar provides the best flavor when making these pickled red onions.
    • Water – This will help to cut the intense flavor of the vinegar as well as provide more liquid volume to fill up the jars.
    • Sugar – Any granulated sugar will work for this.
    • Salt – I always use sea salt in my recipes.
    ingredients to make pickled red onions

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    Start by slicing the onions in whichever manner you’d like. I prefer thin rings but occasionally will thinly julienne them as well.

    sliced red onions

    Add the prepared onions to a clean and sterilized 16-ounce glass mason jar.

    adding onions to a jar

    In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the water, vinegar, salt, and sugar, until everything is mixed and dissolved.

    whisking together a brine

    Pour the brine solution over the onions in the jar, submerging them.

    pouring a brine over onions

    Screw on the clean and sterilized seal and lid and place them in the refrigerator for 1 hour before they are ready to serve.

    pickling red onions in a jar

    Make-Ahead and Storage

    Make-Ahead – You can make this recipe up to 1 day ahead of time.

    How to Store – Seal the lid on the jar of the pickled red onions and keep them in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 weeks. These will not freeze.

    Chef Billy Parisi

    Chef Notes + Tips

    • For best flavor results, wait at least 24 hours before eating the pickled onions. The longer you wait, the more intense in flavor they will get.
    • Make sure your jars are completely clean and sterilized before using them.
    • Depending on the size of your onions, you may need more or less to fill the jars.

    More Vegetable Recipes

    Be sure to follow me on FacebookYouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest, and if you’ve had a chance to make this, then definitely drop me a comment and a rating below.

    Let's Cook - Chef Billy Parisi

    Video

    Pickled Red Onions Recipe

    5 from 12 votes
    This simple-to-prepare pickled red onions recipe are a great way to enhance the flavor of your favorite sandwich, salad, or tacos.
    Servings: 16
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes

    Ingredients 

    • 1 large peeled and thinly sliced red onion
    • 1 ½ cups water
    • 1 ½ cups red wine vinegar
    • 1/3 cup sugar
    • 1 tablespoon sea salt

    Instructions

    • Start by slicing the onions in whichever manner that you’d like. I prefer thin rings, but occasionally will thinly julienne them as well.
    • Add the prepared onions to two clean and sterilized 16-ounce glass mason jars.
    • In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the water, vinegar, salt, and sugar, until everything is mixed and dissolved.
    • Pour the brine solution over the onions in the jar making sure they are submerged.
    • Screw on the clean and sterilized seal and lid and place them in the refrigerator for 1 hour before they are ready to serve.

    Notes

    Make-Ahead – You can make this recipe up to 1 day ahead of time.
    How to Store – Seal the lid on the jar of the pickled red onions and keep them in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 weeks. These will not freeze.
    For best flavor results, wait at least 24 hours before eating the pickled onions. The longer you wait, the more intense in flavor they will get.
    Make sure your jars are completely clean and sterilized before using them.
    Depending on the size of your onions, you may need more or less to fill the jars.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 14kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 0.02gFat: 0.01gSaturated Fat: 0.001gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.001gSodium: 219mgPotassium: 6mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 0.04IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.04mg
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American

    Share this Post

    free email series

    Elevate Your

    Thanksgiving Menu

    5 days of tips & recipes for a perfect feast

    Chef Billy Parisi