Quick and Easy Pickled White Onions Recipe (2024)

These tangy and flavorful pickled white onions are perfect for sandwiches, salads, tacos, and more.

Pickling transforms regular white onions into a snappy, crunchy treat you’ll crave.

Why You’ll Love This Quick-Pickles Recipe

Bursting with Flavor:Pickled white onions are a flavor explosion with every bite.

Versatile:They add a delightful crunch and tang to various dishes, from burgers and sandwiches to tacos and salads.

Quick pickling:Making your pickled white onions at home is easy. Just a handful of ingredients and a simple process!

What Do Pickled White Onions Taste Like?

Pickled white onions have a bright, tangy flavor with a nice crunch.

The vinegar brine gives them a sour taste, while the salt and sugar add savoriness and balance the acidity.

Basic Ingredients

White onion: The star of the show. White onions have a mild, slightly sweet flavor.

You can use different onions like the sweet Vidalia, Walla Walla, or even the little pearl onions.

Vinegar: The acid that gives pickles their tang.

Different kinds of vinegar will yield different flavors.

Hot water: Softens onions and helps flavors blend.

Sea saltand white sugar: The yin and yang of pickling.

Salt amplifies the other flavors, while sugar balances the vinegar tang.

Whole black pepper or mustard seeds: Adds a subtle warmth and complexity.

Fresh herbs and spices (optional): Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices!

Cinnamon sticks, dill, thyme, red pepper flakes, and bay leaves can all add exciting notes.

Which vinegar should you use for pickling white onions?

You can use most types of vinegar to pickle white onions quickly.

Here are some excellent options:

Apple cider vinegar – Adds a distinct flavor and mild fruit.

White wine vinegar– Has a mild taste with a touch of sweetness.

Rice vinegar– Provides mellow acidity and subtle sweetness.

Distilled white vinegar is strong and has a clean, bright taste without fruity overtones.

Red wine vinegar: Has a tart flavor.

Malt Vinegar has a similar lemony, nutty, and caramel flavor.

How To Make (step-by-step) – Quick-Pickled Onions

Step 1

Peel the white onions and slice them into rings or half-moons with a thinly sharp knife, depending on your preference.

Place the sliced onions in a clean, sterilized jar with the black pepper, salt, and sugar.

Step 2

Using a kettle or a small saucepan, heat water to boiling.

Step 3

Add vinegar to the jar with the onions, and carefully pour the hot water, ensuring the onions are fully submerged.

Close the jar with the lid and give a good shake to mix.

Let it cool down upside down for a couple of hours at room temperature and refrigerate.

For best results, let the onions pickle for 24 hours.

Tips For Making Perfect Pickled Onions

• Larger onion pieces take longer to pickle and have a more pronounced flavor.

If you prefer a milder pickle, make thin slices.

• Balance your flavors.

Adjust the salt, sugar, and vinegar to your liking. Some people prefer a sweeter pickle, while others like theirs extra tangy.

• Use a 1:1 ratio of vinegar to water for ideal acidity.

• Let it cool upside down so the jar seals tightly, and you can store the onions for much longer.

Just be careful not to create air bubbles.

• Store in the fridge to maintain crisp texture. Don’t store at room temp!

• Patience is key.

While it may be tempting to dive into your pickled onions immediately, they are best to marinate for at least 24 hours.

Ideas For Serving

These pickled onions make a great addition to so many dishes.

Here are some creative ideas for incorporating them into your meals:

• Add a zingy twist to your favorite sandwiches, burgers, or hot dogs by layering pickled white onions on top.

Have you tried on top of avocado toast? Perfect combination!

• Sprinkle pickled white onions over green salads, or try in this Italian potato salad.

Whether you’re making tacos like this, rockfish tacos, wraps, cheesy taco pockets, air fryer burritos, or pork belly bao buns, pickled white onions make a fantastic topping.

• Arrange pickled white onions alongside cured meats and cheeses for a stunning charcuterie board.

• Serve pickled white onions as a tangy condiment alongside meats, like this breaded pork chop.

Storage –How Long Do Refrigerator Pickled Onions Last?

Store your pickled onions in the refrigerator for about 2-3 weeks if the jar is open.

Make sure the onions are always submerged in the pickling liquid.

Unopened jars of pickled white onions keep in the refrigerator for 2-4 months.

FAQ’s

Are pickled white onions the same as red onions?

Pickled white onions and pickled red onions have slightly different flavors.

White onions have a milder taste and a crisp texture compared to red onions, which are sweeter and softer when pickled.

Do you have to soak white onions in salt before pickling?

This step is optional.

Soaking onions in salt can help draw out excess moisture and enhance their crunchiness.

For a crunchier texture, soak the onions in salt water for 30 minutes before pickling.

What variety of onions is best for pickling?

White onions are ideal for pickling due to their mild flavor and firm texture.

However, to create a unique flavor, you can experiment with other onion varieties, such as red onions (also known as purple or blue onions) or shallots.

Can I reuse the pickling brine?

You can reuse the pickling mixture for future batches of pickled vegetables.

Simply strain the brine to remove any onion remnants and store it in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator.

The flavor will definitely change, so you may need to adjust some things, like vinegar or salt.

I like to use pickling liquids (especially onion) for an easy vinaigrette.

Homemade Pickled White Onion Recipe

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Things To Remember When Pickling Vegetables And Fruits

There are a few key points to keep in mind when pickling:

• Always use fresh produce: The fresher your veggies or fruits, the better your pickles will be.
• Sterilize your jars: You can boil them for 10 minutes or run them through a hot dishwasher cycle. This will prevent any unwanted bacteria from spoiling your pickles.

More onion recipes:

Air Fryer Onion Rings – if you love onions, you’ll also love these onion rings, which are healthier than classic fried onion rings.

Air Fryer Onions – the best way to make sliced onion.