Refrigerator Pickled Red Onions

Two pink pint jars of pickled red onions.

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Refrigerator Pickled Red Onions

Refrigerator Pickled Red Onions are the incredibly easy homemade condiment you won't stop reaching for in your fridge! Bright pink, tangy and delicious, these small batch pickled red onions are made in 10 minutes and keep for 2 weeks! Try them on tacos, sandwiches, salads, rice bowls, burgers and more!

Prep Time5

Cook Time5

Total Time10

Course: Sides

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: pint jars

Calories: 58kcal

Author: Meryl Downing

Ingredients

1½ cups water
¾ cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1 red onion thinly sliced
1 clove garlic smashed
6 whole black peppercorns

Instructions

Make the brine by adding the water, vinegar, salt and sugar to a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, about 5 minutes, stirring once to dissolve. Allow to cool a few minutes.
While the brine simmers, peel the red onion and slice it thinly. Depending on its size, you can cut thin rings, or cut the onion in half first and slice into half moons.
Add the onion slices to 1 or 2 pint jars. Add a few peppercorns to each jar and a smashed clove of garlic (it can be smashed and cut in half for 2 jars). Lay the side of the knife over the garlic clove and gently pound with your fist to smash it. This helps easily remove the peel and release flavor into the onions.
Use a ladle or measuring cup to pour the hot brine over the onions. Fill them almost to the top, using a spoon to press the onions down so they are fully submerged.
Cool on the counter for a bit, or put the lids on and refrigerate. After a few hours they will turn bright pink. They can be eaten within an hour, or stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Let the brine cool for a few minutes. Adding boiling hot brine could crack the jars. You do want the brine to be hot to pickle the onions, just not boiling hot!
Depending on the size of the red onion and how you slice it, it may fit into 1 or 2 jars. Extra brining liquid can be discarded.
Jars - Any glass jars can be used, they don't need to be canning jars.
Ways to Serve - Try pickled red onions on my Blackened Chicken Tacos with Cotija Corn Salsa, on Tuna Salad, Egg Salad, or any sandwich, salad, pizza or taco night!
Nutrition value is for 1 pint jar of onions. It includes the brine, which of course you won't be consuming all of.

Nutrition