Updated: May 15, 2026
Pickled red onions are one of my absolute favorite ways to add a bright pop of flavor to everyday meals. I learned how to make this pickled red onion recipe from my family, as we often pickled and canned different vegetables from the garden to help preserve them, and these quick pickled red onions have become a staple in my kitchen for tacos, Italian salads, salmon lox, avocado toast, grain bowls, and so much more. With simple ingredients and a quick pickling method, this easy recipe comes together in minutes and adds the perfect tangy crunch to countless dishes.
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Why you'll love this family favorite recipe!
- Quick and easy recipe made with simple pantry ingredients
- Adds a bright pop of color and tangy flavor to meals
- Perfect for tacos, salads, sandwiches, grain bowls, and avocado toast
- No complicated canning process required
- Ready in as little as 2 hours
- These are a great way to preserve extra sliced onions
Ingredients
This recipe comes together with just a few simple ingredients already have at home:
- Salt – Salt enhances the overall flavor and helps preserve the onions while drawing out moisture from the onion slices.
- Red Onion – Thinly sliced red onion becomes beautifully bright pink as it absorbs the pickling liquid, adding crunch, color, and sharp flavor to the recipe.
- Warm Water – Warm water helps dissolve the salt and sugar quickly while helping the onions soften slightly during the quick pickling process.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar adds tanginess and depth of flavor while creating the brine that gives these homemade pickled red onions their signature taste.
- Granulated Sugar – Sugar balances the acidity from the vinegar and creates a smoother, well-rounded flavor.
How to Make Pickled Red Onions
These pickled red onions come together in just four easy steps:
STEP 1: Slice the Onions – Thoroughly clean and sanitize a 16oz Mason Jar. Then, using a sharp knife, or a Mandoline thinly slice one red onion into even onion slices. Place the sliced onions into a clean mason jar or airtight container.
STEP 2: Prepare the Pickling Liquid – Gently warm 1 cup of water in a small pot or medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Do not boil. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, and salt until the sugar and salt dissolves completely.
STEP 3: Pour the Brine Over the Onions – Carefully pour the warm vinegar mixture over the sliced onions inside the mason jar. Make sure the onions are fully submerged in the pickling liquid.
STEP 4: Refrigerate – Allow the onions to cool slightly at room temperature before sealing the jar. Store the onions in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, although I personally love letting them sit overnight for the best flavor. Enjoy!
Substitutions & Variations
- One of the best things about this pickled red onion recipe is how easy it is to customize:
- Add a squeeze of lime juice or lemon juice for extra brightness
- Swap apple cider vinegar for white vinegar, rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or champagne vinegar
- Use maple syrup, agave syrup, or cane sugar instead of white sugar
- Add smashed garlic cloves for extra savory flavor
- Include black peppercorns, bay leaves, whole spices, or a cinnamon stick for added depth
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
- Mix in fresh herbs like dill or oregano
Storage
Store your homemade pickled red onions in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator. These refrigerator pickles are best enjoyed within 2-3 weeks for the freshest flavor and texture. Always use a clean fork or spoon when serving to help maintain freshness, and to avoid contamination. For this pickled red onion recipe, I used a 16-ounce mason jar (pint-size jar). It gives the thinly sliced onions enough room to fully soak in the pickling liquid while still staying tightly packed.
Recipes to Use Pickled Red Onions For
These easy pickled red onions pair beautifully with so many dishes. Here are some of my favorite ways to use them:
- Italian Salad
- BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Avocado Salad
- Chicken Tacos
- Fish Tacos
FAQ
What is the best vinegar for pickled red onions?
Apple cider vinegar is my favorite for balanced flavor, but white vinegar also works very well.
Why did my onions turn bright pink?
This happens because of the natural color molecule found in red onions reacting with the acidic pickling liquid.
Can I use white onions instead?
Yes! White onions and yellow onions can also be used, although the flavor and color will be different.
Do I need to boil the vinegar mixture?
No heavy boiling is needed for this quick pickling recipe. You simply need enough heat for the salt and sugar to dissolve completely.
Recipe Card
Pickled Red Onion Recipe
Equipment
- Mandoline (allows you to make perfectly thin slices)
Ingredients
- 1 Large Red Onion, sliced
- 1 cup Filtered Warm Water
- 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Granulated Sugar
- 1.5 tsp Iodized Salt
Instructions
- Thoroughly clean and sanitize a 16oz Mason Jar. Then, using a sharp knife, or a Mandoline thinly slice one red onion into even onion slices. Place the sliced onions into a clean mason jar or airtight container.
- Gently warm 1 cup of water in a small pot or medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Do not boil. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, and salt until the sugar and salt dissolves completely.
- Carefully pour the warm vinegar mixture over the sliced onions inside the mason jar. Make sure the onions are fully submerged in the pickling liquid.
- Allow the onions to cool slightly at room temperature before sealing the jar. Store the onions in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, although I personally love letting them sit overnight for the best flavor. Enjoy!
Notes
- For the best flavor, allow the pickled red onions to sit overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Thinly sliced onions work best because they absorb the pickling liquid faster and become perfectly tender-crisp.
- A 16-ounce mason jar is ideal for this recipe and helps keep the onions fully submerged in the brine.
- If your onions are not fully covered by the liquid, gently press them down with a spoon after a few minutes as they soften.
- Apple cider vinegar gives these onions a slightly sweeter, smoother flavor, but white vinegar or red wine vinegar also work well.
- Add black peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic cloves, or red pepper flakes for extra depth of flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Craving More?
If you make this easy pickled red onion recipe, I’d love to see it! Be sure to tag me on Instagram at @elicitfolio so I can see your creations. You can also follow along on Pinterest for more recipes, hosting inspiration, and entertaining ideas. And if you try this recipe, leave a comment below and share what other pickling recipes you’d love to see next!
I love pickled red onions! They are such a great condiment for so many dishes.
Yum! This is a great recipe, thanks for sharing.
I like Pickled Red Onions! It’s so yummy. I like it on sandwiches, soft tacos and burgers. So good!
this looks simple enough! I have never done any pickling of any type before, so this could be interesting! Thanks for sharing!
Yum! I do this occasionally too and have found that having some ready in the fridge is so convenient as I can use it on so many things! I use Bragg too! It’s the best!
Wow, so easy to make and I love the color combination in your dish! Great to serve as a starter and I may try to do so this weekend. ~ Knycx journeying