Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Karen
These quick and easy pickled red onions are the perfect condiment to add a bright pop of sweet and tangy flavor to salads, sandwiches, hot dogs, grilled meats, and more.
I love opening the fridge and finding jars of homemade condiments waiting to be used. Canning is a bit tricky, but pickling is something I can totally manage. It turns out sweet pickled red onions are super quick and easy to make.
Trust me, you’ll want to keep a jar or two of these sweet pickled red onions on hand!
Add the sweet pickled onions to enhance any dish such as tacos and burgers (see more suggested uses below!) or just grab a fork and eat them directly from the jar.
Why Use Red Onions for Pickling?
Red onions are a popular choice for pickling because of their vibrant color, mild flavor, and texture—all of which make pickled red onions both visually appealing and delicious.
First, the deep purple-red skin and flesh of red onions give pickled onions a beautiful, bright pink hue once they soak in the pickling brine. This natural color transformation makes them stand out on salads, sandwiches, tacos, and charcuterie boards, adding a pop of color that’s both appetizing and eye-catching.
Second, red onions have a milder and sweeter flavor compared to yellow or white onions, especially when eaten raw or pickled. This mildness balances perfectly with the tangy vinegar and spices used in pickling, creating a deliciously crisp yet slightly sweet bite without overwhelming sharpness.
Third, red onions hold their firm texture well during the pickling process. This means that after soaking in the acidic brine, they stay crunchy enough to add a satisfying snap and contrast to softer dishes.
Finally, red onions are widely available and easy to slice thinly, making them convenient for quick pickling at home or in commercial recipes.
In short, red onions are preferred for pickling because they combine vibrant color, balanced flavor, and good texture, making pickled red onions a tasty, attractive addition to many dishes.
What Does Pickled Red Onion Taste Like?
Pickled red onions have a bright, tangy flavor that perfectly balances sweetness, acidity, and a mild onion bite. The vinegar and sometimes added sugar in the pickling brine soften the natural sharpness of raw red onions, making them less pungent and more mellow. They retain a satisfying crunch, giving a fresh texture that complements their zesty taste.
Overall, pickled red onions offer a refreshing, slightly sweet, and tangy flavor with just a hint of the onion’s natural sharpness. This makes them a perfect topping to add brightness and contrast to dishes like tacos, salads, sandwiches, and grilled meats.
What are the Health Benefits Of Pickled Onions?
Pickled onions offer several health benefits that make them a tasty and nutritious addition to your diet. Firstly, when naturally fermented, pickled onions contain probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that support a healthy gut microbiome. These probiotics help improve digestion, boost the immune system, and enhance nutrient absorption.
Even when not fermented, pickled onions still provide valuable nutrients such as antioxidants, including quercetin, which help fight inflammation and protect cells from damage. Onions are also a good source of fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and regularity.
Additionally, pickled onions are low in calories but add flavor and texture to meals, making it easier to enjoy nutrient-rich dishes without extra fat or sugar. The vinegar used in pickling may also help regulate blood sugar levels and support heart health.
Overall, incorporating pickled onions into your meals can contribute to better digestion, immune function, and overall wellness—especially when choosing naturally fermented varieties.
Are Pickled Onions Good For Gut Health?
Yes, pickled onions can be good for gut health, especially when they are naturally fermented rather than simply pickled in vinegar. Naturally fermented pickled onions contain probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that support a healthy gut microbiome. These probiotics can help improve digestion, boost your immune system, and promote better nutrient absorption.
However, many store-bought pickled onions are made with vinegar and do not undergo fermentation, so they may not have the same probiotic benefits. Still, they are low in calories and contain antioxidants and prebiotic fibers from the onions themselves, which can also support digestive health.
If you’re looking specifically for gut health benefits, try making your own pickled onions at home. It’s pretty easy to make!
Why we love this Quick and Easy Pickled Red Onions recipe:
Only takes 5 minutes of prep time: This pickled red onion recipe has just a few simple steps, and it’s as easy as slicing an onion and adding it to a brine.
Easy to make: This recipe requires very little effort, just add everything to a jar and wait.
Just 5 ingredients: These are ingredients you probably have in your pantry already!
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make these Quick and Easy Pickled Red Onions:
Red onion: You can use white onions as well. Slice it thinly with a sharp knife or a mandoline.
Apple cider vinegar: I like the sweetness of apple cider vinegar, but you can also use distilled white vinegar, red wine vinegar, or white wine vinegar.
Salt: I use coarse kosher salt. If using table salt, cut the amount in half.
Sugar: Helps balance out the tart flavor. Add more if you prefer your pickled onions to be sweeter. You can also substitute with maple syrup or honey.
How to Make Pickled Red Onions
1. Make the brine by adding the ingredients to a small saucepan, simmering on low until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Let the pickling liquid cool slightly.
2. Add thinly sliced onions to a glass jar and pour the brine over the onions. Screw on the jar lid and store in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
3. Enjoy right away or store for up to 2 weeks.
Is There a No-Cook Method to Make These Quick Pickled Red Onions?
Yes! As a shortcut method, you can also add all the brine ingredients to a heat-proof glass jar and heat it up in the microwave before adding the onions to the brine.
How Long Do Pickled Red Onions Last?
Pickled onions typically last for about 2 weeks when stored properly in the refrigerator. To ensure the best quality and safety, keep them in a sealed, airtight container and always use clean utensils when handling them. Over time, the flavor may become more intense, and the texture can soften, but they should remain safe to eat within this timeframe. If you notice any off smells, mold, or unusual colors, it’s best to discard them.
Can I Freeze These Pickled Red Onions?
No, they don’t freeze well.
Can I Make Pickled Red Onions With No Sugar?
The sugar helps balance the tartness of the brine, but if you’re on a sugar-free diet, you can opt for sugar substitute such as Stevia or Monkfruit.
Red Onion Substitute
If you don’t have red onions on hand but want to make pickled onions with a similar flavor and texture, there are several good substitutes you can try:
• White Onions — These have a sharper, more pungent flavor but will pickle nicely and develop a tangy taste. To mellow their sharpness, slice thinly and soak in cold water for 10 minutes before pickling.
• Sweet Onions (Vidalia or Walla Walla) — These are mild and naturally sweeter, making them an excellent substitute for red onions in pickling. They’ll produce a less vibrant color but still deliver great flavor.
• Shallots — With a delicate, slightly sweet flavor, shallots pickle well and add a refined taste. Use them if you want a milder alternative.
• Yellow Onions — Stronger than red onions when raw, but when pickled, they soften and sweeten nicely. Like white onions, soaking beforehand can reduce pungency.
• Pearl Onions — These small, sweet onions have a mild flavor and firm texture that hold up well to pickling. They make a great substitute when you want bite-sized pickled onions with a slightly different appearance but equally delicious taste.
Keep in mind that none of these will replicate the bright pink color that red onions give when pickled, but they all make delicious pickled onions with their own unique twist.
How Do I Make The Flavors Of The Onions Less Pungent?
If you want the flavor of the onions to be more mellow, you can pour boiling water over the sliced onions, let sit for 5 minutes, and drain out the liquid before transferring the onions to the pickling liquid.
What To Eat With Pickled Onions?
Pickled onions can liven up a variety of dishes, and the possibilities are endless! Here are some of our favorite ways to use them:
Mexican dishes – from tacos to burritos, burrito bowls, enchiladas, nachos, chilaquiles and more.
Salads – any kinds of leafy green salads, as well as potato and egg salads.
Gyro or falafel wraps
Charcuterie board or cheese plates
Sandwiches, hot dogs, and burgers – gives a nice tangy flavor and crunch to all kinds of cold and warm sandwiches, panini, as well as hot dogs and burgers.
BBQ dishes – I love to serve it with smoked or grilled brisket, ribs, and pulled pork.
Try them on avocado egg toasts!
What are some variations to this pickled red onion recipe?
– Use thicker sliced onions for more crunch (be sure to allow the onions to pickle for at least 1 hour before serving).
– Use red pearl onions to make pickled cocktail onions.
– Add thinly sliced garlic cloves.
– Add sliced fresh jalapenos or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
– Add black pepper (ground or whole peppercorns).
– Add some dried or fresh herbs, such as rosemary, dill, thyme, bay leaves.
– Use white onions and red wine vinegar for the same vibrant pink color.
What are some of your favorite ways to use pickled onions? Let me know in the comments below!
Quick and Easy Pickled Red Onions
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 large red onion peeled and thinly sliced
Instructions
- Bring vinegar, water, salt and sugar to boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer on low until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Let the pickling liquid cool to room temperature. Add thinly sliced onions to a glass jar and pour the cooled brine over the onions.
- Screw on the jar lid and let the onions marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
