Do you need to soak onions before pickling?

When making pickled onions stored in the refrigerator, there is no need to soak the onions first.

What onions are best for pickling?

Red onions and shallots are best for pickling because of their beautiful, vibrant color, but any onion can be pickled.

What is the best vinegar to use for pickled onions?

White vinegar or white wine vinegar is best when pickling onions because they both amplify their color, producing bright and vibrant results with a clear pickling liquid, whereas apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar can "muddy" and mute their color.

Quick Pickled Onions

Name: Pickled Red Onion
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 1 cup red onion, very thinly sliced; ½ cup white vinegar or white wine vinegar; see notes.; ½ cup water; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons cane sugar (or sub honey , agave, or another substitute); 1 tablespoon of whole spices (any combination of black peppercorns, fennel seed, cumin seed, coriander seeds, mustard seed) I like: 1 teaspoon of each: fennel seeds, cumin seeds, and coriander seeds.; 1-2 garlic cloves, sliced; 1-2 bay leaves; Fresh or dried herbs (oregano, cilantro, scallions, curry leaves, dill); Jalapeno slices

Description

My chef’s perfected pickled onion recipe takes only 10 minutes to make and adds a burst of flavor to tacos, burgers, salads, and more! Video.

Ingredients

Units

1 cup red onion, very thinly sliced
1/2 cup white vinegar or white wine vinegar; see notes.
1/2 cup water
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cane sugar (or sub honey , agave, or another substitute)

Optional additions:

1 tablespoon of whole spices (any combination of black peppercorns, fennel seed, cumin seed, coriander seeds, mustard seed) I like: 1 teaspoon of each: fennel seeds, cumin seeds, and coriander seeds.
1–2 garlic cloves, sliced

1–2 bay leaves
Fresh or dried herbs (oregano, cilantro, scallions, curry leaves, dill)
Jalapeno slices

Instructions

Thinly slice red onion (you’ll need one cup)using a sharp knife or mandolin.
Place the vinegar, water, salt, sugar and optional whole spices in a small pot on the stove and bring to a boil.
Add the sliced red onions and simmer for 30-60 seconds, stirring.
Turn off the heat and let this cool completely.
Place in a clean mason jar and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

Vinegar: White vinegar is more concentrated than other kinds of vinegar. If subbing other vinegar like rice wine viniegar, apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, and you plan on keeping this for 3 weeks in the fridge, I would lower the water by 2 tablespoons. White vinegar will also ensure the clearest-looking pickling liquid and amplify the red onion’s color.

Pickled Onion Variations:

Mexican pickled red onions: add sliced jalapeno and whole cumin seeds and coriander seeds, 1-2 whole clove seeds, garlic, plus Mexican oregano to the pickling liquid.
Scandinavian pickled red onions: add fresh dill, caraway and peppercorns.
Indian pickled red onions: add fennel seeds, coriander seeds and either fenugreek, cilantro or curry leaves.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 20
Sugar: 3.2 g
Sodium: 219.1 mg
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 4.2 g
Fiber: 0.3 g
Protein: 0.2 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg