Refrigerator Quick Pickled Red Onions - BEST RECIPE!! | Montana Happy (2024)

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Refrigerator Quick Pickled Red Onions is a recipe you’ll use repeatedly to add flavor to your salads, grain dishes, sandwiches, tacos, and avocado toast.

If you’re looking for more pickled recipes, look at my recipe for Another fun recipe to try is Refrigerator Tomato Jam. It’s so good!

Refrigerator Quick Pickled Red Onions - BEST RECIPE!! | Montana Happy (1)

Don’t you love a recipe that’s super easy to make and adds amazing flavor to your meals? I’m not a person that cans things – but refrigerator pickling is my jam. Why? Because it’s easy.

There’s something so comforting about making our own food. Plus, it’s fun to open your refrigerator and find jars of homemade condiments waiting to for use in future dishes.

I found this recipe many moons ago inMollie Katzen’s cookbook Vegetable Heaven. If you don’t know who Mollie Katzen is, she was the owner of a famous vegetarian restaurant called Moosewood.

One of my most popular recipes, To-Die-For Hungarian Mushroom Soup, came from one of her cookbooks.

Whenever I talk about my stash of pickled onions in the refrigerator, I always get asked, “How do you make pickled red onions?”

It surprises me that more people don’t make their own because they are so simple to make and keep on hand.

Once you start making this quick pickled red onion recipe, you’ll be like me and never be without them again. I always buy a large bag of red onions because I know I’ll use them.

What I love about making Homemade Pickled Red Onions is how the onions go from a deep red color to just a gorgeous purplish-pink color because of adding the hot water.

Refrigerator Quick Pickled Red Onions - BEST RECIPE!! | Montana Happy (2)

The jars full of these pinkish onions are simply beautiful! Pickled onions stay crunchy and add that special touch to your food.

This recipe is made with apple cider vinegar, so your adding a healthy ingredient to this yummy condiment.

I like to make pickled onions with honey instead of sugar, but you can use sugar instead.

Red onions are full of antioxidants, may boost digestive health, and have antibacterial properties. Plus, they make everything taste a little bit more delicious!

Quick pickled red onions make a great gift idea as well. Put a couple of jars of pickled onions in a basket. Add whole red onions, a jar of local honey, and a print-out of the recipe rolled in a scroll and tied to one of your jars.

Your friends and family will love your thoughtfulness.

Refrigerator Quick Pickled Red Onions Ingredients:

This recipe has just five ingredients besides water. It has red onions, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and peppercorns.

That’s it. Super simple to make, and you probably already have the ingredients on hand.

I once read a cookbook that featured a line-up of famous chefs. They asked the same question of all of them – “What things do you always have on hand in case you might have a last-minute guest?”

One of the most popular responses was pickled vegetables in the refrigerator. It makes sense because you can always put together a quick quesadilla, tacos, or charcuterie board.

With this handy recipe in your arsenal, you’ll look like a rock star.

Refrigerator Quick Pickled Red Onions - BEST RECIPE!! | Montana Happy (3)

Cozy Living Group

Since you found this recipe for quick pickled red onions, I’m guessing you like all things cozy living. I created a Facebook groupcalledCreating a Cozy Lifewith over 116,000 like-minded souls.

It’s a group where we share recipes, pictures of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make your life just a little bit more snug. Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cabin.

How to Make Quick Pickled Red Onions:

Ingredients for Pickled Red Onions

2 medium red onions

4 cups boiling water

For the Marinade:

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup water

3 tablespoons honey (you can substitute sugar)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black peppercorns

How to Make Refrigerator Quick Pickled Red Onions

1) Peel the red onions. Slice onions thinly using a sharp knife or a mandoline. (I use a Mandoline – if you don’t have one, you don’t know what you’re missing!)

2) Transfer onions to a medium-sized bowl.

3) Pour the boiling water into the bowl over the sliced onions. Let the onions soak in the boiling water for at least 5 minutes.

4) Drain the onions in a colander.

5) Let the onions sit in the colander while you mix the marinade. Combine all the ingredients of the marinade in the medium-sized bowl, and stir well.

6) Add the onions into the vinegar solution and let them sit for at least 10 minutes until they come to room temperature.

7) Place onions with the pickling liquid in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

8) Chill the pickled red onions in the refrigerator until cold.

Tips for making the Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe:

  • In the original pickled onion recipe, there was 1/2 teaspoon of whole cloves that was optional. Since I’m not a big fan of cloves, I omitted them.
  • For a healthier vinegar, use apple cider vinegar with the mother.
  • One of the ladies in our Cozy Living Group prefers spicy pickled red onions. She suggested adding red pepper flakes for a nice kick.
  • You can also add a couple of garlic cloves or a minced jalapeño for a different variation to this pickled red onion recipe.
  • For pickled red onions with no sugar, you can substitute Stevia for the honey. For every tablespoon of honey, you can use 6-9 drops of liquid Stevia.
  • Maple syrup or cane sugar can replace the honey in this recipe.
  • White wine vinegar, rice vinegar, white vinegar, sherry vinegar, and red wine vinegar can replace apple cider vinegar this quick pickled onions recipe.
  • Mustard seeds, bay leaf, fresh herbs, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and star anise are also simple ingredients you can add to your pickles.
  • White onions can replace the red onions.
  • Make thicker onions if you are using them for a burger topping.

How long do Quick Pickled Red Onions last?

According to Mollie Katzen, these Homemade Pickled Red Onions will keep for months in the refrigerator in a glass container with a tightly-lidded jar.

What to do with Quick Pickled Red Onions

This recipe is a favorite way to add flavor to your meals. They are the perfect addition for healthy eating to your favorite dishes.

Refrigerator Quick Pickled Red Onions - BEST RECIPE!! | Montana Happy (4)

Hot Dogs and Sandwiches

Quick pickled red onions work well on sandwiches and hot dogs. Whether you put them on an Italian sub, pork sandwiches, favorite burger, gyro, or grilled cheese sandwich, everyone will love the zing these onions will give your next culinary adventure.

Quesadillas

Put some pickled red onions in your next quesadilla to take it to another level.

Tacos

Fish tacos, beef tacos, and chicken tacos will all taste better with the crisp texture of pickled red onions.

Burritos

Refrigerator red onions all wrapped up in a burrito with your favorite beans, rice, or meat is the perfect combination. They also go well in burrito bowls.

Eggs

Add the pickled onions to scrambled eggs, quiche, or omelet. Pickled thin slices of red onions also taste amazing on breakfast sandwiches.

Potato Salad

Pickled red onions add big flavor to potato salad.

Refrigerator Quick Pickled Red Onions - BEST RECIPE!! | Montana Happy (5)

Here’s some fun pickling cookbooks I found on Amazon:

Pickling Everything: Foolproof Recipes for Sour, Sweet, Spicy, Savory, Crunchy, Tangy Treats

Fermented Vegetables: Creative Recipes for Fermenting 64 Vegetables & Herbs in Krauts, Kimchis, Brined Pickles, Chutneys, Relishes and Pickles

Red onions have a sweeter flavor than white or yellow onions due to low levels of pyruvic acid and sulfur compounds, according to Wikipedia. The sulfur compounds have many health benefits.

Refrigerator Quick Pickled Red Onions - BEST RECIPE!! | Montana Happy (6)

We’ve reached the end of Refrigerator Quick Pickled Red Onions. I hope you enjoyed this wonderful recipe.

Let me know in the comments below how you liked it.

Make sure you join our Creating a Cozy Life – Hygge Style facebook group. You’re not going to believe how amazing it is. Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cabin.

Pin this easy recipe below on your food Pinterest board.

Thanks for stopping by. I’m so happy you found us!

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Printable Version Best Pickled Red Onions with Nutritional Information

Refrigerator Quick Pickled Red Onions - BEST RECIPE!! | Montana Happy (7)

Yield: 3 1/2 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Crunchy and delicious, Homemade Pickled Red Onions is an easy recipe to make and the perfect addition to sandwiches, salads, grain dishes or your favorite bean recipe.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium red onions
  • 4 cups boiling water
  • For the marinade:
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons honey (you can substitute sugar)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon peppercorns

Instructions

1) Peel the red onions. Slice the onions thinly (I use a Mandoline - if you don't have one you don't know what you're missing.

2)Transfer onions to a medium-sized bowl.

3) Pour the boiling water into the bowl over the sliced onions. Let the onions soak in the boiling water for at least 5 minutes.

4) Drain the onions in a colander.

5) Let the onions sit in the colander while you mix the marinade. Combine all the ingredients of the marinade in a medium-sized bowl, and stir well.

6) Add the onions to the marinade mixture and let them sit for at least 10 minutes.

7) Transfer the red onions with the marinade to jars with tight-fitting lids.

8) Chill the pickled red onions in the refrigerator until very cold.

Refrigerator Quick Pickled Red Onions - BEST RECIPE!! | Montana Happy (2024)

FAQs

Should you refrigerate pickled red onions? ›

Your pickled onions will be ready to eat once they're bright pink and tender - about 1 hour for very thinly sliced onions, or overnight for thicker sliced onions. They will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

What to do with pickled red onions? ›

Sandwiches: Brighten up any deli sandwich, burger, or saucy BBQ sandwich. Tacos: The sweet acidity is especially good on fish tacos and carnitas. Mayo-based salads: Add chopped pickled red onions to egg salads and potato salads, or use as a topper for deviled eggs.

Why do you soak onions in salt water before pickling? ›

I always like to salt and soak the onions before pickling. This gets rid of the harsh 'bite' that often makes raw-onions unappetizing. Soaking them for a short time in hot water softens the onions slightly, priming them for quicker, more thorough absorption of the vinegar brine.

How long do homemade pickled red onions last in the fridge? ›

TO STORE: Pickled onions can last in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. I like them best during the first week because they are the most crisp, but they're still yummy later on.

How long do quick-pickled red onions last? ›

Let the pickled onions cool to room temperature (about 20 to 30 minutes), at which point they should be sufficiently pickled for serving. Cover and refrigerate leftover pickled onions for later. Quick-pickled onions are best consumed within three days, but they keep for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

What happens if you eat a lot of pickled onions? ›

In addition, consuming too many pickled onions may also cause gastrointestinal problems such as stomach pain, bloating, and diarrhea, especially for individuals who are sensitive to high amounts of acidic food.

Do homemade pickled red onions go bad? ›

When done properly, your unopened home-canned pickled onions are shelf-stable for one year. Although some university extension programs say that with proper storage, you can stretch that up to two years for lower acidity foods — which onions are — the USDA gives a 12-month maximum for anything canned at home.

Are pickled red onions unhealthy? ›

What makes pickled red onions so healthy? Red onions are rich in folate, or vitamin B9, which can improve cardiovascular health and reduce your risk of a stroke. Pickled red onions contain many other vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C.

Why are pickled red onions so good? ›

Red onions are ideal for pickling because of their mild flavor and vibrant color. They also add a sweet and tangy taste. Both apple cider vinegar and white vinegar work well for pickling. Apple cider vinegar tastes fruity, while white vinegar is more neutral in flavor.

Are pickled red onions anti-inflammatory? ›

Loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, add flavor to your meals with these pickled onions each day to improve your health...

Is it OK to eat pickled onions everyday? ›

Salt is a necessary part of any diet, but in small amounts. Vinegar has long been believed to have health benefits also, but the acidity of vinegar is nobody's friend. A pickled onion retains large amounts of both these ingredients, making them fine as an occasional part of a diet, but not as a routine component.

Which pickled onions are best? ›

Top 10 Pickled Onions Products
  • Garner's. Original Pickled Onions. ...
  • Vadasz. Pickled Red Onion. ...
  • ASDA. Pickled Onions. ...
  • M&S. Pickled Red Onions. ...
  • ASDA. Pickled Sweet Silverskin Onions. ...
  • Waitrose Ltd. Essential Pickled Onions drained. ...
  • Waitrose Ltd. Waitrose onions spiced & pickled drained. ...
  • Waitrose Ltd.

Why boil vinegar for pickling? ›

No, there are other methods for pickling, including quick pickling and refrigerator pickling. But this pickling method does call for boiling the brine. This process helps bloom the flavors of the ingredients and help speed up the pickling process when it's added to the fresh vegetables or fruit.

Can you reuse pickle juice to pickle onions? ›

Pickling doesn't have to be a long process involving canning and special supplies. If you have vegetables that would be good pickled, like onions, garlic, carrots or green beans, toss them in the jar of leftover pickle juice, and see what happens. They'll make a nice addition to a charcuterie platter or Blood Mary.

Can you leave pickled onions out of the fridge? ›

Place the onions into the bowl with the liquid and ensure they are submerged well. Leave for at least 12 hours before using. They will keep for at least 2 days either in or out of the fridge.

How long can pickled onions last without refrigeration? ›

When done properly, your unopened home-canned pickled onions are shelf-stable for one year. Although some university extension programs say that with proper storage, you can stretch that up to two years for lower acidity foods -- which onions are -- the USDA gives a 12-month maximum for anything canned at home.

Can you leave pickled onions at room temp? ›

Allow to cool to room temperature, about 45 to 60 minutes. You can enjoy your pickled onions immediately, or you can put them in the refrigerator until ready to serve (the flavor and color will continue to develop; I think they taste even better after several hours in the fridge).

Will pickled spoil if not refrigerated? ›

Despite what you may have heard, pickles in a jar do indeed go bad. According to Can It Go Bad?, an unopened jar of unrefrigerated pickles can sit on a room-temperature shelf out of direct sunlight for 2 years. Once opened, the pickles can spoil, but this process is slower than with other perishable foods.

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