• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Healthy Recipes Blog
  • Fall Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Fall Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Vegetable Recipes » Pickled Red Onions

    Pickled Red Onions

    Last updated: Jul 2, 2023 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    These flavorful pickled red onions are made with no added sugar. With a prep time of just 15 minutes, they are truly easy to make.

    They are so delicious and make an excellent addition to any meat or poultry dish. They will last in the fridge for about a week.

    Pickled red onions in a jar.

    I love pickles. They add so much flavor to almost any meal. Store-bought pickles are fine, but making your own at home is so much fun, and the result is wonderfully flavorful.

    These pickled red onions are very easy to make. I make them often because I enjoy their unique flavor. I like them even better than these very tasty (and also easy to make) quick pickles.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • Pickled Red Onions Instructions
    • Expert Tip
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storing Leftovers
    • Related Recipes
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need five ingredients (plus water) to make these tasty pickles. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    • Red onion: You can use yellow onions instead, but red onions have a milder flavor and are prettier.
    • White vinegar: White wine vinegar also works in this recipe.
    • Kosher salt: If you use fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use by half.
    • Seasonings: I use dried bay leaves and whole peppercorns. The bay leaves are nonnegotiable - they greatly enhance the flavor of these pickles.
    The ingredients needed to make pickled red onions.

    Variations

    • You can use different types of vinegar to alter the flavor and appearance of these pickles. You can use red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or cider vinegar. I tried all of these options and liked them all.
    • Sometimes I add a few peeled garlic cloves to the jar.
    • I like adding a sliced jalapeno or serrano pepper to the jar for a nice kick. Make sure to wear gloves when handling hot peppers.

    Pickled Red Onions Instructions

    Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

    • Peel the onion and slice it into thin, â…›-inch slices. Separate the slices into rings and place them in a jar large enough to accommodate all of them. Make sure you use a glass jar that can withstand hot, near-boiling water. (Photos 1,2).
    • In a small saucepan, combine vinegar, water, and salt. Add bay leaves and peppercorns. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until the salt dissolves. (Photo 3).
    • Turn the heat off. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it rest and cool slightly for about 5 minutes.
    • Pour the liquid over the onions. Press down on the onions with a spoon to ensure they are well-covered. (Photo 4).
    • Close the lid tightly and allow the jar to sit at room temperature for 2 hours before serving. Alternatively, you can cool it at room temperature for about 1 hour, then refrigerate until ready to use. (Photos 5,6).
    A six-photo collage showing the steps for making pickled red onions.

    Expert Tip

    Letting the onions rest at room temperature for up to 2 hours is fine. But if you keep them longer than that, you should place them in the fridge.

    Recipe FAQs

    How does quick pickling work?

    Quick pickling, or vinegar pickling, is a pickling method of heating up an acidic solution of vinegar, water, and salt, then immersing vegetables in the solution.

    The acidic solution changes the vegetables' flavor and texture and acts as a preservative. But you still need to keep these pickles in the fridge.

    Should I add sugar?

    You can add a teaspoon of sugar, but it's unnecessary. Many recipes call for adding sugar - some for lots of it, some just a teaspoon. I don't use any sugar in this recipe, and the onions are absolutely delicious.

    Can I use vinegar other than white vinegar?

    Yes! You can use red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or cider vinegar. White vinegar changes the color of red onions and turns them pink, as you can see in the photos.

    So if you prefer a darker color, red wine vinegar is a good option. Apple cider vinegar might cause the red onions to darken too much. But they will still taste good.

    Serving Suggestions

    Pickled red onions are lovely with almost any meat or chicken dish. Here are a few ideas:

    • Bacon-wrapped chicken breast
    • Grilled chicken breast
    • Skirt steak
    • Keto pot roast
    • Turkey burgers
    • Turkey legs
    • Keto meatloaf
    • Tri-tip roast
    • Ribeye roast

    Storing Leftovers

    The leftovers keep well in the fridge, in a sealed glass jar, for about a week. They rarely last that long in our house, though. We go through them pretty quickly since they go so well with so many dishes.

    Pickled red onions served in a glass jar with a lid.

    Related Recipes

    • Quick pickles are stored in a glass jar.
      Quick Pickles
    • Roasted red onions served in a white bowl.
      Roasted Red Onions
    • Roasted onions served on a white plate.
      Roasted Onions
    • Sauteed onions in a cast-iron skillet.
      Sauteed Onions

    👩🏻‍🍳 I aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe Card

    Pickled red onions in a sealed jar.
    4.99 from 157 votes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Print Recipe

    Pickled Red Onions

    These pickled red onions are made with no sugar. They are so easy to make, and a wonderful addition to any meat or poultry dish.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Rest time3 hours hrs
    Total Time3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 14kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 large red onion
    • 1 cup white vinegar
    • 1 ½ cups water
    • 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt
    • 4 dried bay leaves
    • 6 whole peppercorns

    Instructions

    • Peel the onion and slice it into thin, â…›-inch slices. Separate the slices into rings and place them in a jar large enough to accommodate all of them (a 1-quart jar should work). Make sure you use a glass jar that can withstand hot, near-boiling water.
    • In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, and salt. Add the bay leaves and the peppercorns. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until the salt dissolves.
    • Turn the heat off. Remove the saucepan from heat and allow it to rest and slightly cool for about 5 minutes.
    • Pour the liquid over the onions. With a spoon, press down on the onions to make sure they are well-covered.
    • Close the lid tightly and allow the jar to sit at room temperature for 2 hours before serving. Alternatively, you can cool it at room temperature for about 1 hour, then refrigerate until ready to use. Refrigerate the leftovers for up to a week. 

    Video

    Notes

    You can use red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or cider vinegar. White vinegar changes the color of red onions and turns them pink, as you can see in the photos. So if you prefer a darker color, red wine vinegar is a good option. Apple cider vinegar might cause the red onions to darken a bit too much. But they will still taste good.
    The leftovers keep well in the fridge, in a sealed glass jar, for about a week. They rarely last that long in our house, though. Since they go so well with so many dishes, we go through them pretty quickly.

    Add Your Own Notes

    Click here to add your own private notes. They're only visible to you. If you clear your browser's cache, they'll be lost.

    Nutrition per Serving

    Serving: 0.25recipe | Calories: 14kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Sodium: 281mg
    SubscribeI aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon
    DisclaimersMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

    ❤️ Let's connect! Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter.

    More Vegetable Recipes

    • Roasted yellow squash on a white plate.
      Roasted Yellow Squash
    • Homemade coleslaw served in a black bowl.
      Homemade Coleslaw
    • Green beans almondine served on a white plate.
      Green Beans Almondine
    • Shiitake mushrooms served in a white baking dish.
      Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe

    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
      Each comment is reviewed before being published. We reserve the right to publish, delete, or edit comments.

      Recipe Rating




    1. Rosalie

      September 28, 2023 at 11:21 am

      5 stars
      I made these pickled red onions with red wine vinegar. They turned out amazing and kept their color.

      Reply
      • Vered DeLeeuw

        September 28, 2023 at 1:30 pm

        Glad you liked this recipe, Rosalie! Thank you for the feedback about using red wine vinegar.

        Reply
    2. Gerry

      September 25, 2023 at 12:48 pm

      5 stars
      These pickled red onions are so good! I like adding them to salads. I have found that I can keep them in the fridge for about ten days.

      Reply
      • Vered DeLeeuw

        September 25, 2023 at 1:29 pm

        I'm so glad you like this recipe, Gerry! Thank you for leaving a comment.

        Reply
    3. Leo

      September 05, 2023 at 4:06 am

      5 stars
      These onions are perfect for burgers! One of my favorite meals is entirely from your website: bison burgers topped with sriracha mayo and these pickled red onions, served with a creamy cucumber salad. Thank you for your tasty and EASY recipes!

      Reply
      • Vered DeLeeuw

        September 05, 2023 at 9:45 am

        You're very welcome, Leo!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Vered DeLeeuw.

    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


    👩🏻‍🍳 I aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Fall Recipes

    • Roasted pumpkin on a baking sheet.
      Roasted Pumpkin
    • Cabbage casserole served in a white baking dish with a serving spoon.
      Cabbage Casserole
    • Keto pumpkin pie topped with a dollop of whipped cream.
      Keto Pumpkin Pie
    • Moroccan chicken served in a white saucepan.
      Moroccan Chicken
    • Pulled chicken served in a white bowl.
      Pulled Chicken
    • Keto pumpkin bread, sliced, served on a white tray.
      Keto Pumpkin Bread
    • Pumpkin curry soup served in a white bowl.
      Pumpkin Curry Soup
    • Roasted butternut squash served in a white bowl with a napkin.
      Roasted Butternut Squash
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon

    Popular Recipes

    • Baked chicken breast served on a white plate with a fork.
      Baked Chicken Breast
    • Cauliflower pizza crust topped with cheese and pepperoni.
      Cauliflower Pizza Crust
    • Microwave bacon served on paper towels.
      Microwave Bacon
    • Oven-baked pork chops in a cast-iron skillet.
      Oven-Baked Pork Chops
    • Turkey burger in a bun.
      Turkey Burgers
    • Grilled chicken breast, sliced and served on a white plate.
      Grilled Chicken Breast
    • Pork roast, sliced, and served on a white platter with broccoli.
      Easy Boneless Pork Roast
    • Baked chicken wings served on a white plate with a dip.
      Baked Chicken Wings

    Footer

    Media mentions

    Media mentions of Healthy Recipes Blog: logos

    The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.


    By accessing or using this website, you agree to abide by the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.


    Accessibility Statement


    Copyright © 2023