Tabetha's Table

  • Recipes
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Ice Cream Book
  • About
  • Table Notes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Ice Cream Book
  • About
  • Table Notes
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Ice Cream Book
  • About
  • Table Notes
×

Quick Pickled Red Onions

1 rating
· Le Cordon Bleu-trained · Published: Apr 15, 2022 · Modified: Aug 27, 2026 by Tabetha Klein · This post may contain affiliate links · Be the first to review

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

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe Start Cooking

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
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!

Did you make it?

Leave a star rating and tell me what you changed. I read every one, and the good ones end up featured in the post.

Rate this recipe
Menu Planner page from this month's Table Notes printable
Snack Draft Board page from this month's Table Notes printable
Shopping List page from this month's Table Notes printable
Feed-a-Crowd Cheat Sheet page from this month's Table Notes printable

Table Notes

This month's drop: The Game Day Playbook

A free kitchen printable, delivered on the 1st of every month. No spam, no fluff, just something worth sticking on your fridge.

More Recipes

  • Menu Planner page from the free Game Day Playbook printable by Tabetha's Table
    Free Printable: The Game Day Playbook
  • Cream cheese with spicy hot pepper jelly and crackers on a platter.
    Easy Smoked Cream Cheese with Hot Pepper Jelly
  • Fresh roasted asparagus topped with garlic slices and drizzled with hot honey.
    Easy Smoked Asparagus with Garlic & Hot Honey
  • Close-up of smoked baked potatoes topped with cheese, bacon, and green onions.
    Smoked Baked Potatoes (Crispy Skin, Fluffy Inside)

If you liked this, cook these next

  • Roasted Brussels sprouts with charred edges on black plate.
    Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Spicy Balsamic Sauce

  • Close-up of Sriracha aioli garnished with cilantro in a white bowl.
    Easy Sriracha Aioli Recipe

  • Homemade strawberry compote served on toast with fresh berries nearby.
    Easy Strawberry Compote Recipe: A Quick Homemade Sauce

  • Homemade blueberry compote with fresh blueberries and syrup in a jar.
    Easy Blueberry Compote Recipe with Fresh Blueberries

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.

Comments

No Comments

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Tabetha Klein, the chef behind Tabetha's Table

Hi, I'm Tabi. Le Cordon Bleu valedictorian, ex-restaurant cook, and the one your friends text for the recipe. More about me →

Get the monthly printable

Trending right now

  • Slice of creamy pumpkin pie with whipped cream and cinnamon.
    Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie Recipe: TikTok Viral
  • Delicious beef stew with carrots and herbs in a white bowl.
    Beef Stew in a Dutch Oven
  • Chori Pollo served with rice and creamy sauce on a black plate.
    Chori Pollo: Mexican Inspired Chicken & Chorizo Recipe
  • Creamy vanilla ice cream scoops in a brown bowl on wooden table.
    Making Vanilla Ice Cream in Your KitchenAid

This season

  • Pumpkin spice latte ice cream served in a black bowl with cinnamon sticks and coffee beans.
    Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream Recipe
  • Creamy pumpkin pie milkshake topped with whipped cream and pie crust crumble.
    Pumpkin Pie Milkshake Recipe with Pie Crust Crumble
  • Traditional shepherd's pie with mashed potato topping and beef filling.
    Scottish Shepherd's Pie Recipe: Traditional & Hearty
  • Close-up of smoked Brussels sprouts with bacon and balsamic glaze.
    Smoked Brussel Sprouts with Bacon & Balsamic

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Tabetha
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure & Disclaimer
  • Accessibility

Free stuff

  • Table Notes — a free printable every month
  • The KitchenAid Ice Cream Book
  • Subscribe for new recipes first

Contact

  • Contact
  • Recipe Index

Copyright © 2026 Tabetha's Table

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.