If you are not an onion person, I understand. Onions of all kinds can present an unpleasant and sometimes acrid taste.
Pickled onions are a superb way to perk up any dull sandwich or burger. If you’ve ever been to a restaurant featuring new takes on classic favorites, you will often find pickled vegetables to give the food some added flair. The unique crunchiness and color of a pickled red onion is enough to brighten up your day and taste buds. I can honestly say that this is a superb condiment compared to your regular old tomato. Less acidic than sliced onions, you will be delighted in a quick and simple recipe that you can eat for several days on many dishes. This takes relatively little time and is absolutely beautiful when it’s ready to eat. In this pickled red onion recipe, you will find a delicious and fresh condiment. Looking for a good foodie present or housewarming gift? Try this recipe and I promise you will add it to. your list of staples.
Pickling Vegetables
Pickling vegetables has been a popular method of preserving food for centuries. Pickling is the process of submerging vegetables in an acidic solution, such as vinegar or brine, to preserve them and enhance their flavor. This practice dates back to ancient times when it was used to extend the shelf life of food and prevent spoilage.
Vinegar, a Healthy Ingredient
Vinegar is considered a health food and is a popular condiment that has been used for centuries in cooking and as a preservative. It is also known for its health benefits, making it an important part of many diets. Vinegar is made by fermenting alcohol, usually from grapes or apples, into acetic acid. This process produces a sour-tasting liquid that can be used to flavor foods or as a topping. In this recipe I use white vinegar, but you may also consider using apple cider vinegar. Ever tried malt vinegar on top of salted french fries? It’s a delicious combo with a unique flavor contrast.
Red Onions for Pickling
The flavor of red onions is ideal for pickling as is the flavor of the pickling liquid.
Pickled red onions are a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used to add flavor to a variety of dishes. The sweet and tangy flavor of pickled red onions is the perfect complement to salads, sandwiches, tacos, burgers, and more. Pickling red onions helps to bring out their natural sweetness while adding a hint of tartness.
What Vinegar Does to Red Onions When Pickled
Using vinegar to pickle red onions along with sugar helps to create an ideal environment for the onions. During the process of pickling the red onions, the vinegar starts to pull the color out of the onions to create a beautiful pink hue or fuscia color. The bright pink color from the onions is a sure way to create contrast in flavor on top of any sandwich or burger. This is also the first indication that your pickled red onions would be ready to eat. This can take anywhere from 1 hour to overnight in your refrigerator.
Ingredients
2 medium red onions, sliced thinly (big ol batch of onions)
2 cups white vinegar
2 cup water
1/ 3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons Sea salt or table salt
1 teaspoon peppercorns
3 ball or mason jars (10 oz or so each)
1 mandolin (or very sharp knife)
Optional: You may add garlic cloves or fresh herbs (you may also add 1 bay leaf)
Recipe
Start off by peeling your red onions. Then, using your mandolin, slice the red onions as thinly as possible. Once they onions are sliced, you will need to make your pickling mixture. Take the water, vinegar, sugar and salt and place them into a sauce pan over medium heat. Mix together all ingredients until dissolved. Just as pickling liquid reaches a boil, turn off the heat and move the liquid off of the burner to cool. As the vinegar mixture and liquid is cooling, stuff each jar with as much red onions as possible. Sprinkle over the peppercorns evenly through the separate jars. When the brining liquid is cool, pour over each of the jars and cover with the lid. Place the jars into the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and then serve with any meal or with any sandwich. Onions should be slightly crisp and sweet. This recipe yields 12 1/2 cup servings.
How Long Will Pickled Red Onion Last?
This recipe will give you quite a few pickled red onions that can last up to 10 days in your refrigerator. Make sure to monitor the red onions after 1 week (7 days) from when you first consume the onions.
Additional Recipes for Pickling Red Onions
- Quick-Pickled Red Onions Recipe | Bon Appétit – Make a batch of these easy, fast pickled red onions, and use them on everything you’re eating. They’re the ideal condiment for tacos, grain bowls, and more. (bonappetit.com)
- Pickled Red Onions Recipe (5 minutes hands on!) – Rachel Cooks® – Learning how to make pickled red onions is SO easy – it only takes five minutes and you probably have all the ingredients! You’ll love having a jar of these in your fridge for tacos, avocado toast, and more! (rachelcooks.com)
Did you make this recipe? Please drop a note in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!
