Making Pickled Crimson Onions At House Could not Be Simpler — And They Final For Weeks

Trying to find a burst of tangy freshness that may enliven virtually any meal? Look no additional than pickled crimson onions. Including these morsels to a salad or sandwich bestows new life onto basic dishes. Not solely are the zesty rounds a flavorful addition, however making them at residence can be simple and cheap. With their lengthy shelf life (refrigerated,they’ll last as long as three weeks), this sugar-free pickled red onion recipe will go away you tickled –– and impressed to pickle your coronary heart out. 

One or two onions (depending on dimension), garlic, water, vinegar, salt, and black peppercorns are all you’ll want to get your pickling social gathering began. Prep your onions by peeling, earlier than chopping them into rings or halves. There isn’t a proper or mistaken option to go about this. Like extra of a crunch? Thickly slice with a knife. Choose a extra delicate, sliver-like density? You will want a particular software. Attempt utilizing a we rated the five best mandoline slicers in 2025 (based on online reviews) if it helps. Chop or crush your garlic cloves, or go for a spoon stuffed with jarred, minced garlic. Toss these two components into any glass container with a lid and prepare to get your brine on. 

Warmth on medium 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup vinegar, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns. Stir regularly for five minutes and your concocting is finished. Merely pour the liquid over your onions and garlic, guaranteeing your veggies are coated, seal the container, and pop it into the fridge for no less than the hours. That is it! Wait, loosen up, and relish your work when it is achieved.

This fundamental recipe is open to interpretation and substitutions. Use white vinegar, crimson vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and even balsamic vinegar will do in a pinch –– so long as the vinegar of alternative comprises 5% acid. Substitute pink Himalayan salt or kosher salt for a tangy pop. As talked about earlier than, garlic cloves or jarred garlic are appropriate for pickling (though a  polarizing choice in accordance with aficionados on Reddit). Even the bottom of the recipe, the crimson onions themselves might be swapped out for white, candy, or yellow onions. Speak about flexibility. 

Additions might be key gamers in your pickled crimson onions’ taste. Including hibiscus flowers or tea to your brine can improve its colour and tartness. Give your pickled red onions a kick by adding jalapeños or different spicy peppers. Herbs might be combined and matched to garner recent taste compliments: Rosemary, parsley, thyme, bay leaves, cilantro, oregano, and dill can all take a dip in your brine. Peppercorns feeling lonely? Fennel seeds and mustard seeds can dance alongside to ripen robustness. Some individuals add sugar, honey, or sugar alternate options to sprinkle in sweetness to their resolution. The addition recreation is consumer pleasant, so that you’re envouraged to experiment and see what mixtures greatest please your palate. 

With capability to combine and match countless fusions, our 18 creative uses for pickled red onions will get your creativeness churning. Bear in mind, it solely takes a brief period of time to organize your stash however it should additionally final you some time as soon as it is good and prepared. Experiment away, cooks!