Salads

Pickled Red Onions (Quick, Tangy, 10-Minute Method!) 🧅

Pickled Red Onions (Quick, Tangy, 10 - 1

Prep

5 minutes

Cook

0 minutes

Yield

These Pickled Red Onions are vegan-friendly and perfect to add to any recipe. Eat them on their own, and on top of your favorite salad. I can’t wait to teach you how to pickle onions in this recipe!

Pickled Red Onions are so incredibly amazing to toss on your favorite Greek salad or to eat up on their own. These onions are so versatile and perfect for just about any savory recipe you’re putting together. I love the snap of flavor they provide, and they’re so easy to make. So I want to spread the word on how to pickle onions because I think everyone needs to know. These are so good, I can’t keep them to myself.

Beautifully colorful Quick Pickled Onions on a white plate for the how to pickle onions instructions - 2

❤️ Why You’ll Love Pickled Red Onions

Quick: Ready in just 5 minutes from start to finish. No long waits or months of pickling.
Minimal Ingredients: Made with fewer than 10 simple, everyday ingredients you probably already have hanging out in your fridge or pantry.
Flavorful & Versatile: Bright, tangy, and packed with flavour. Perfect for tossing into salads, layering on sandwiches, or adding a punch to bowls and other recipes.
Long-Lasting: Best enjoyed in the first few days when the flavour is freshest, but they’ll keep well in the fridge for up to 2–3 weeks.

🍲 Ingredients

Red Onions: The star of the show. Red onions are ideal for quick pickling because they’re naturally milder and slightly sweet, which balances beautifully with the tangy brine. Thinly slicing them helps them soften quickly and soak up all that flavour fast.

Vinegar: Vinegar adds the bright, acidic kick that transforms raw onions into something crave-worthy in minutes. You can use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even red wine vinegar depending on the flavor vibe you’re going for.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Pickled Red Onions

Combine all your ingredients into a medium-sized bowl and gently stir. Let the ingredients sit for at least 1 hour and max 3 days before eating.
Use pickled onions to top salads, tacos, in sandwiches, as nacho toppings, and more!

Ingredients in jar for pickling onions - 4

🪄 Tips and Tricks

Slice Thin: The thinner your onions, the faster they absorb the brine and the softer they get. A mandoline makes this super easy.
Warm Brine: Gently heating your vinegar, sugar, and salt mixture helps the flavors meld faster and kick-starts the pickling process.
Sweet & Tangy Balance: Adjust the sugar and vinegar ratio to your taste. Want more zing? Add extra vinegar. Prefer a hint of sweetness? A little more sugar will do the trick.
Add Flavor Boosters: Toss in peppercorns, garlic cloves, bay leaves, or even chili flakes to give your pickles an extra punch.
Give It Time: Even though these are “quick” pickles, letting them sit for at least 10–15 minutes helps the flavors develop. They only get better the longer they hang out in the fridge.
Storage: Keep them in a sealed jar in the fridge. They’re best within the first week, but can last 2–3 weeks if you keep them chilled.

Bowl of authentic Greek Salad next to a bowl of Quick Pickled Onions. - 5

🗒 Variations

There are tons of ways to mix up quick-pickled red onions! You can play with spices, herbs, and sweeteners to match whatever vibe you’re going for. Here’s a list of popular flavor variations:

Classic Sweet & Tangy

Vinegar, sugar, salt, a pinch of black pepper. This is simple, versatile, and perfect for tacos or salads.

Spicy Kick

Add sliced jalapeños, chilli flakes, or a few peppercorns for a little heat that pairs beautifully with grilled meats or sandwiches.

Herby Fresh

Toss in fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or dill for a fragrant, garden-fresh twist. Great for Mediterranean dishes or roasted veggies.

Garlic & Mustard

Add smashed garlic cloves and a teaspoon of mustard seeds for a bold, savory punch. Excellent on burgers or charcuterie boards.

Citrus Zing

A splash of lime, lemon, or orange juice with the vinegar brightens things up and adds a fresh, tangy edge.

Sweet & Fruity

Mix in a few slices of apple, pear, or even berries, plus a touch of honey or maple syrup for a sweet-savory combo.

Smoky & Savoury

A pinch of smoked paprika, chipotle powder, or even a tiny drizzle of liquid smoke adds depth and smokiness. Awesome for BBQ dishes.

🍽️ Best served with

Plant-Based Gyros
Jackfruit BBQ Burger
The Easiest Vegan Taco Bowls

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Pickled Red Onions are good on just about anything, and the best thing is, you can make a big batch and store them in your fridge in a jar for weeks.

🤔 Common Questions

They’re best enjoyed within the first week for maximum flavour and crunch, but properly stored in the fridge, they can last 2–3 weeks.

Yes! Quick-pickled onions are made with a cold brine and aren’t shelf-stable, so refrigeration is necessary to keep them safe and tasty.

Red onions contain natural pigments called anthocyanins. When they meet acidic vinegar, they react and intensify in colour, often turning a vibrant pink!

You can, but red onions are preferred because of their mild, slightly sweet flavour and pretty colour. White or yellow onions will still pickle, but the flavour is stronger and the colour won’t be as vibrant.