Easy Quick Pickled Onions

I love pickles. Ever since I was a kid, a good pickle has been one of my favorite snacks. My tastes as an adult have expanded to love other pickled vegetables. For example, pickled okra is divine. And pickled asparagus and Brussels sprouts have become a common addition to any grazing platter I make for a BBQ. Pickled onions are my new obsession. This recipe is based on the one from Bon Appétit and I have made a few variations of their base recipe. My favorite thing about this recipe is that you don’t have to heat anything up so the prep time is short and you’ll have a delicious pickle in just over an hour!

Ingredients:

1 cup water
1/2 cup vinegar
1 TBSP sugar
1 1/2 tsp Salt
1 red onion
Flavor addition (optional)

Instructions:

Thinly slice your onion. I use a mandolin slicer but you can use a knife or food processor!
Next, whisk together the water, vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl until the sugar and salt have dissolved.
Add the onion and any flavor additions to a jar and pour over the vinegar mixture. Be sure that the onions are fully submerged.
Cover and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour. To store, keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks.

Recipe variations:

Onion –

I use red onion because I love the color and taste but feel free to use white onions or a sweeter onion if you prefer. You can blanch the onions in hot water to tone down the flavor of the onion too.

Other types of veg –

This recipe would work so well with different types of vegetables as well such as radishes, carrots, peppers, and even cucumbers!

Vinegar –

Apple cider vinegar adds a delicious flavor to this recipe but feel free to use other types of vinegar to mix things up!

Flavor Additions –

This is my favorite way to add variety to my pickles! Try adding these to kick your pickles up a notch:

1/2 tsp Peppercorns – added whole or crushed
1-2 cloves of garlic
1-2 slices of a hot pepper like a jalapeño for a little bit of heat
a pinch or red pepper flakes
a few sprigs of a fresh herb like thyme, rosemary, or oregano. Bay leaves would also be nice!

How to use Pickled Onions

These onions go great with pretty much anything! Here are a few of my favorite ways to use them!

With eggs for breakfast
Avocado toast
Nachos
Tacos
On top of grain bowls
In salads
On pizza (fresh and cooked)
On burgers

Easy Quick Pickled Onions