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    Home » Vegan » Easy Refrigerator Pickled Red Onions

    Easy Refrigerator Pickled Red Onions

    Published: Aug 11, 2021 by Elaine · This post may contain Amazon affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog generates income via ads · 8 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Image with text overlay for quick pickled red onions
    Image with text overlay for Refrigerator Pickled Red Onioins
    image with text for refrigerator pickled red onions recipe.
    Image and text for quick refrigerator pickled red onions

    Liven up your leftovers or add interest to tacos, burgers, sandwiches, nachos and more with these crisp and tangy quick refrigerator pickled red onions! This pickled red onion recipe is so easy to make. Your pickles can be ready to eat in less than 30 minutes!

    Overhead view of a jar of refrigerator pickled red onions

    My friends and family agree: this easy recipe makes the best pickled red onions. They're crisp and crunchy with a satisfying tanginess, they last in the fridge for a month, and you can eat them right away!

    Jump to:
    • ❤️Why this recipe works
    • 🛒Ingredients
    • 🔪Easy instructions for pickling red onions
    • Possible Variations
    • Readers' Questions about easy pickled red onions
    • 🗒 Serving Suggestions
    • 📖 Recipe

    ❤️Why this recipe works

    • You can make them year-round! We often think of making pickles in the late summer when gardens and farmers' markets are overflowing with fresh produce. But pickling red onions in a small batch can be done at any time of the year.
    • Convenient! Having a jar of pickled red onions in the fridge for tacos, burgers, sandwiches or pizza means you always have the opportunity to jazz up a meal. They add a bright colour, satisfying crunch and a tangy flavour to any dish!
    • Easy to make! Once I realized how easy it was to make Quick Refrigerator Pickled Beans, I experimented with making Quick Pickled Shallots with Apple Cider Vinegar and Refrigerator Pickled Jalapeños. Now I always have a jar of each in the fridge, ready to spice up a recipe.
    • Quick! These pickled onions can be ready to eat in under an hour! You won't need a long brining time. No pressure canning is needed either!

    🛒Ingredients

    Ingredients for Pickled Red Onions

    Here's a short list of ingredients for this easy pickled red onion recipe!

    • red onion
    • vinegar
    • sea salt
    • sugar or another sweetener
    • garlic
    • black peppercorns

    🔪Easy instructions for pickling red onions

    1. Wash.  Wash and sterilize jars and lids by filling them with boiling water or running them through a cycle of the dishwasher. You'll need two 8 oz jars or one 16 oz. jar.
    2. Combine. Combine the ingredients for the pickling liquid and simmer until the sugar and salt have dissolved and the brine has begun to boil. You can heat the pickling brine in a saucepan on the stovetop or in a glass container in the microwave.
    3. Slice. Slice the onion. You can use either a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer to make slices about ¼ inch thick.
    4. Fill. Fill the jars with the onion slices. Add the garlic cloves and peppercorns.
    5. Pour. Cool the brine slightly, then pour it over the onion slices to fill the jars, leaving about ½ inch of headroom.
    6. Store. Add a lid and store it in the refrigerator.
    Pickling brine
    1. Simmer the brine ingredients on the stovetop or in the microwave.
    a mandolin slicer for slicing red onions
    2. Slice the onions.
    A jar filled with red onion slices.
    3. Fill the jar with onions, garlic and peppercorns.
    Pouring pickling brine into a jar of sliced red onions.
    4. Fill the jar with brine.
    Overhead view of a jar of refrigerator pickled red onions.

    Possible Variations

    Use a different vinegar. You can substitute apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar or even rice vinegar. Apple cider vinegar will result in a darker brine.

    Add some heat! Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, or even a slice or two of jalapeño or habanero pepper.

    Pickle white or yellow onions for a different flavour.

    Readers' Questions about easy pickled red onions

    ❓How soon can I eat these pickles?

    You can add them to your burger, sandwiches and more as soon as they cool. Their flavour will intensify after a day or two.

    ❓Do I need a special jar to store pickled red onions?

    You can use any jar with a tight-fitting lid. I like Weck jars, but I also use Mason jars, especially a wide-mouth variety.

    How long will these pickles last?

    PIckled red onions will last for up to a month or more if you keep them in a tightly sealed jar in your fridge.

    🗒 Serving Suggestions

    • Add pickled red onions to quesadillas, burgers, or sandwiches.
    • They make a beautiful addition to an antipasto platter or charcuterie board.
    • They also add flavour and interest to this Italian Potato Salad, Summer Veggie Pasta Salad, or Tomato Avocado Black Bean Salad.

    When you make these quick pickles, please leave a comment and a star rating below. Thanks in advance! Subscribe to my newsletter and have new recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

    📖 Recipe

    Overhead view of a Mason jar of quick refrigerator pickled red onions

    Refrigerator Pickled Red Onions

    Liven up your leftovers or add interest to tacos, burgers, sandwiches, nachos and more with these crisp and tangy quick refrigerator pickled red onions! These quick pickles are so easy to make and can be ready to eat in less than 30 minutes!
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Vegetable Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 1 16 oz jar
    Calories: 309kcal
    Author: Elaine
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    saucepan
    16 oz. jar

    Ingredients

    • 1 large red onion
    • 2 cloves garlic, peeled
    • 1 cup distilled white vinegar
    • 1 cup water
    • ¼ cup sugar or Monkfruit sweetener
    • 2 tablespoons sea salt
    • 1 ½ teaspoons black peppercorns

    Instructions

    • Wash.  Wash and sterilize jars and lids by filling them with boiling water or running them through a cycle of the dishwasher. You'll need two 8 oz jars or one 16 oz. jar.
    • Combine. Combine the ingredients for the pickling liquid and simmer until the sugar and salt have dissolved and the brine has begun to boil. You can heat the pickling brine in a saucepan on the stovetop or in a glass container in the microwave.
    • Slice. Slice the onion. You can use either a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer to make slices about ¼ inch thick.
    • Fill. Fill the jars with the onion slices, garlic cloves and black peppercorns.
    • Pour. Cool the brine slightly, then pour it over the onion slices to fill the jars, leaving about ½ inch of headroom.
    • Store. Add a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to a month.

    Notes

    Pickled red onions will last for up to a month or more if you keep them in a tightly sealed jar in your fridge.
    Nutrition information is for the whole 16 oz. jar.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13977mg | Potassium: 281mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 39IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @enessman or tag #flavourandsavour!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Doris

      September 02, 2022 at 1:35 pm

      5 stars
      I made with white vinegar splenda and cilantro l used from a 1/2 brine from my sis in law and added white onions and a little water and let it boil then cool a bit and put in fridge l am crazy about pickled onions and now will pickle a bunch of items tomato and cucumbers thank you

      Reply
      • Elaine

        September 02, 2022 at 7:10 pm

        Hi Doris, Thanks for sharing how you adapted this recipe with the rest of us. Appreciated! I'm crazy about pickled red onions, too and always have a jar in the fridge. Happy pickling!

        Reply
    2. Mae

      May 06, 2022 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      I made these and your pickled green beans today! Both are so easy and they turned out perfectly. Thanks so much! I've never made pickles before.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        May 07, 2022 at 6:38 pm

        Thanks Mae! I'm so glad to hear that you found this recipe easy! Thanks for taking the time to comment!

        Reply
    3. Laura Nessman

      January 15, 2022 at 10:33 am

      5 stars
      A new fridge staple! These are so easy and SO tasty! I've been putting them on top of fried eggs for breakfast. Delicious!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        January 15, 2022 at 12:50 pm

        Good idea! I like them on pretty much anything! Great on avocado toast, too.

        Reply
    4. Anna

      September 01, 2021 at 8:23 pm

      5 stars
      So good!! We’ve added these to tacos and burgers this week. They’re so easy to make.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        September 02, 2021 at 4:31 pm

        Thanks for letting me know! And thanks for the 5 stars, too.

        Reply

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    Elaine from Flavour and Savour

    Welcome! I'm Elaine

    I create delicious gluten-free recipes that everyone can make. I’m here to show you that gluten-free eating doesn’t have to be complicated! I’ll help you make healthy meals that you’ll want to share with family and friends. About Me!

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