Pickled red onions are one of the easiest ways to add bright, tangy flavor and a pop of color to everyday meals. Thinly sliced red onions are soaked in a simple vinegar brine with a little sugar and salt, creating a crisp, slightly sweet pickle that’s ready to enjoy after a short chilling time.
They’re delicious on tacos, sandwiches, burgers, salads, grain bowls, grilled meats, and so much more. This quick recipe is perfect when you want homemade pickled onions without complicated canning equipment.
Why This Recipe Works
The vinegar gives the onions their signature tang while sugar balances the sharpness and salt enhances the flavor. A short soak softens the onions slightly while keeping plenty of their natural crunch.
Because the onions are sliced thinly, they absorb the brine quickly, making this a convenient refrigerator pickle you can prepare in advance.
Ingredients
Makes about 2 cups
For the pickled onions
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Equipment
- A clean pint-size glass jar with a lid
- Small saucepan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife or mandoline
Instructions
Step 1: Slice the onions
Peel the red onion and slice it into thin, even pieces. Thin slices allow the vinegar mixture to penetrate quickly and give the onions a pleasant balance of tenderness and crunch.
Step 2: Pack the jar
Place the sliced onions into a clean glass jar. Add the garlic, black peppercorns, and red pepper flakes if using.
Don’t pack the onions too tightly; leave enough room for the brine to circulate between the slices.
Step 3: Make the brine
Add the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt to a small saucepan.
Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar and salt dissolve. The mixture doesn’t need to boil.
Step 4: Pour over the onions
Carefully pour the warm vinegar mixture over the onions, making sure they are fully covered by the brine.
Let the jar sit uncovered for about 15–20 minutes so it can cool slightly.
Step 5: Refrigerate
Once the jar has cooled, close it tightly with the lid and place it in the refrigerator.
The onions can be enjoyed after about 30 minutes, but letting them pickle for several hours gives them a deeper flavor and brighter color.
Step 6: Serve
Use a clean fork to remove the onions from the jar and add them to tacos, sandwiches, burgers, salads, rice bowls, grilled meats, or avocado toast.
Tips for the Best Pickled Red Onions
- Slice the onions thinly and evenly so they pickle at the same rate.
- Use a mandoline if you want consistently thin slices.
- Make sure the onions are submerged in the vinegar brine for even pickling.
- Adjust the sugar depending on how sweet or tangy you prefer your onions.
- Add spices for extra flavor such as coriander seeds, mustard seeds, jalapeño, or a bay leaf.
- Let them sit overnight for a stronger, more developed flavor.
- Use a clean jar and utensils when preparing and serving refrigerator pickles.
Storage
Keep the pickled red onions refrigerated in a tightly sealed container and use them within about 2 weeks for best quality. Always use clean utensils when removing onions from the jar.
These are refrigerator pickles, not shelf-stable canned onions, so they should remain refrigerated.
Ways to Use Pickled Red Onions
Pickled red onions can add flavor to almost any savory meal. Try them on:
- Tacos and burritos
- Burgers and sandwiches
- Grilled chicken or steak
- Salads
- Grain and rice bowls
- Avocado toast
- Pulled pork
- Nachos
- Eggs and breakfast sandwiches
- Mediterranean-style wraps
Final Thoughts
Pickled red onions are a simple homemade condiment that can transform an ordinary meal with very little effort. Their combination of tangy vinegar, mild sweetness, and crisp onion flavor works beautifully with everything from tacos and burgers to salads and grain bowls.
Once you have a jar in the refrigerator, you’ll find plenty of ways to add these colorful, flavorful onions to your favorite meals.
