Bitter-Sweet Pickled Red Onions

Tangy and sweet, these Pickled Red Onions are delicious as part of a charcuterie board with cheese or added as a garnish to salads or tacos. They can be placed on bread or crackers with cheese or sprinkled on top of a chili for a contrasting flavor and texture. Making pickled onions is quite easy but it does take some time.

To begin, you place sliced red onions in a bowl with the bay leaves, vinegar, and salt, and then you allow the onions to marinate for 4 hours. Then, you stir in the sugar and allow the onions to sit for another 5 hours. Finally, the red onions get cooked on the stove before you allow them to cool and place them in jars. The combination of sugar, salt, and vinegar means that these red onions will keep for several weeks in the fridge.

What are Pickled Red Onions?

Pickled red onions are basically red onions that have been marinated in a mixture of vinegar, salt, and sugar. They have a wonderful sweet, salty, and tangy taste that adds brightness to whatever dish you serve them with.

While this particular recipe uses apple cider vinegar, you can use any vinegar you prefer such as white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar. Herbs besides bay leaves can be added to the onions as well; rosemary, thyme, or sage are all excellent options.

Pro Tips

• Thinly slice the red onions to ensure they are bite-sized and easy to eat.
• Feel free to use other types of onions in this recipe such as white or yellow onions, or even shallots.
• Don’t overcook the onions or else they may become too soft. You can set a timer for 40 minutes so you know to not take it any further.
• You can add whatever herbs you like to the onions, although harder herbs like thyme or rosemary work the best.

What to Serve with Pickled Red Onions?

These pickled red onions can be served on toast with cheese and a side salad for an easy lunch. However, they are also delicious on crackers with smoked cheese, or on top of salads, chili, or tacos.

Can You Use Other Kinds of Onions for This Recipe?

Yes, while red onions are particularly good as pickled onions for their milder flavor and beautiful color, you could use any onion in this recipe. White onions, yellow onions, cippolinis, or shallots would all be wonderful as pickled onions.

Can I Add Other Flavors to Pickled Onions?

Yes, you can! The beauty of any pickled vegetable recipe is that you can make it your own. Feel free to add sliced hot peppers or hot pepper flakes if you would like the onions to be spicy or you can add some sliced garlic for a garlicky undertone.

Can You Freeze Pickled Onions?

Yes, you could freeze your pickled onions although they may not have as crisp of a texture. To freeze them, you can place them in a sealed container or freezer bag before putting them in the freezer. They should be consumed within 3 months for the best texture.

How to Store Pickled Red Onions

The pickled red onions should be placed in a jar and stored in the fridge. While they should stay fresh for several weeks, it is best to consume them within 2 weeks as they may lose their crisp texture as time goes on.

How to Make Pickled Red Onions

Step 1: Thinly slice the onions. Place the onions in a bowl with the vinegar, bay leaves, and salt. Stir to mix and allow them to sit for 4 hours.

Step 2: Stir in the sugar and allow the onions to sit for another 5 hours. Pour the onions in a pot and allow them to cook over low heat for 40 minutes.

Step 3: Place the red onions in jars and store them in the fridge.