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Quick Pickled Red Onions

Published: Apr 15, 2022 · Modified: Aug 27, 2026 by Tabetha Klein · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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I blame Panera for this recipe. Their Green Goddess Salad is one of my favorites and I absolutely fell in love with Pickled Red Onions after trying them mixed together with that creamy salad dressing *mouth watering*. 

Prep Pickled Red Onion

Fast forward a few years and COVID life began. Being stuck in a house, feeding 4 adults and 3 children for a year led to me finally getting around to making everything that was sitting on my Pinterest boards. Greek Night became a thing for which I decided we needed Pickled Red Onions and boom. They have lived in my fridge ever since. 

Food Safety

Quick pickled recipes are NOT intended to be shelf-stable. We aren't going full canning life over here. This is intended to live in the fridge, pulled as needed, and will still stay fresh for around a month. So don't go making this, throwing it in your pantry, and then getting sick on me. 10/10 don't recommend it. 

Recipes to Pair With

If you are looking at ways to put your Pickled Red Onions to use, I put together some of the recipes I use them with all the time. Our Mediterranian Greek bowl or our Carnitas Street Tacos are great examples of ways to add a big bright pop of flavor to very different recipes!

Carnitas Street Tacos
Carnitas Street Tacos

Two Recipes in One

This pickling liquid is the exact same one I use for Pickled Jalapenos, which is why I almost always have a jar of both in my fridge at all times. 

Mediterranean Rice Bowl
Mediterranean Rice Bowl

Set two jars next to each other. Fill one with sliced red onions, and jalapenos in the other. Pour the pickling liquid over top until full. 

Yes... it really is that simple. 

Storing Your Pickled Onions

I bought a whole mess of glass containers from Amazon & IKEA and I use them for everything. They particularly come in handy for this recipe though. 

Glass Storage Containers

Leftover soup, spaghetti, sauces, or pickled jalapenos and onions... I use these for everything.

As far as how long you can keep them, my personal rule of thumb is a month in the fridge. I generally work through them in that time frame, and then just make another batch.

If you find you haven't gone through the whole jar and you are creeping up on that 30-day mark, my personal recommendation is to toss them and start a new batch. When in doubt, throw it out! 

📖 Recipe

Vibrant pink pickled red onions in glass jar for salads and sandwiches.

Pickled Red Onion

Bright, tangy and fresh. The perfect garnish for so many dishes.
1 rating (Click stars to rate)
Recipe by - Tabetha Klein
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved! Start Cooking
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 20
Calories 11 kcal

Equipment

  • Glass Jar with lid
  • Pot
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 Cup White Vinegar
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 2 Small Red Onion - sliced thin
  • 2 tablespoon Granulated Sugar
  • 2 ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt - optional

Instructions
 

  • Slice your onions into thin strips and add them to a glass jar (make sure it has an airtight lid).
  • Place the water, vinegar and sugar in a pot and bring to a simmer. Stiring until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Carefully pour the liquid over the onions until it reaches the top of the jar.
  • Let it come to room temperature, cover with a lid, and store in the refrigerator until you need them!

Video

Notes

  • Slice them thin: Thin rings soak up the brine faster and give you that bright pink color and snappy bite quicker.
  • Give it time if you can: They're ready in about 30 minutes, but a few hours in the fridge deepens the flavor and color beautifully.
  • Storage: Keeps in an airtight jar in the fridge for 2-3 weeks - they just get better as they sit.
  • Put them on everything: Tacos, burgers, salads, grain bowls, avocado toast - they add a tangy pop to almost anything.
  • Don't dump the brine: Once the onions are gone, use the leftover pink brine to quick-pickle another round of veggies.

Nutrition

Calories: 11kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 16mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated from the listed ingredients, and provided as a courtesy.

Keyword onion, pickled
Tried this recipe?Mention @tabethas.table!

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About Tabetha Klein

Hi, I'm Tabi — the chef behind Tabetha's Table. I'm a Le Cordon Bleu grad (Class Valedictorian, 2007) and former Lead Chef Instructor, which is a fancy way of saying I've spent my whole career teaching people to cook. These days that happens right here: real recipes, the why behind them, and exactly where people mess them up — so you don't. When the smoker's not running, I'm feeding Jon and the kids something new. Come hang out with me on @tabethastable on Instagram and Tabetha's Table on Pinterest.

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Pickled Red Onion

Pickled Red Onion

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup White Vinegar
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 2 Small Red Onion (sliced thin)
  • 2 Tbsp Granulated Sugar
  • 2 ½ tsp Kosher Salt (optional )

Equipment

  • Glass Jar with lid
  • Pot
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
1
Slice your onions into thin strips and add them to a glass jar (make sure it has an airtight lid).
2
Place the water, vinegar and sugar in a pot and bring to a simmer. Stiring until the sugar is dissolved.
3
Carefully pour the liquid over the onions until it reaches the top of the jar.
4
Let it come to room temperature, cover with a lid, and store in the refrigerator until you need them!

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