Easy Quick Pickled Onions Recipe (10 Minutes)
This easy quick pickled onions recipe is ready in 10 minutes and uses simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for taco night or meal prep, these tangy, slightly sweet onions add a pop of acidity to any dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the onion (2 minutes): Peel the red onion and cut it in half through the root. Slice each half into thin half-moons, about 1/8-inch thick.
- Pack the jar (1 minute): Place the sliced onions into a clean mason jar or glass container. If using peppercorns or red pepper flakes, sprinkle them in between the layers. Leave about an inch of space at the top.
- Make the brine (3 minutes): In a small saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Stir gently. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat until the sugar and salt dissolve completely.
- Pour the brine (1 minute): Carefully pour the hot brine over the onions in the jar. Use a spoon or tongs to press the onions down so they are fully submerged.
- Cool and seal (3 minutes): Let the jar sit on the counter, uncovered, for about 10 minutes. Once cool enough to touch, screw on the lid and refrigerate. The onions are ready to eat right away but are even better after 30 minutes.
Notes
For best flavor, let the onions rest overnight in the refrigerator. The brine can be reused once. If you prefer a crunchier texture, use the raw pickle method (no heating).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 15
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 120
- Carbohydrates: 3
Keywords: quick pickled onions, easy pickled onions, 10 minute pickled onions, red onion pickles, homemade pickled onions