Quick Pickled Red Onions for the Fridge – No Processing
These quick pickled red onions are one of my hubby’s favourite condiments. Because they’re so easy to make and so pretty, it’s no problem making a batch, especially during barbecue season.
Recipes that Love Pickled Onions: Rhubarb Pulled Pork, Homemade Hamburgers, Tacos
These quick pickled red onions are so pretty. And, even for someone who doesn’t enjoy raw onions, a couple of these onions on a burger or pulled pork bun are pretty darn good!
These onions are a type of refrigerator pickle. That means they don’t require a hot water bath or special canning technique to properly seal, but it also means they have to be stored in the fridge. Not a problem for this small batch recipe that makes two cups.
Recipe for Quick Pickled Red Onions
Quick Pickled Red Onions
Ingredients
- 1 red onion
- 2 dried hot chili peppers optional
- 3/4 cup cider or white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 allspice berries
- 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
Instructions
- Slice onion into rounds about 1/4 inch thick or thinner. The thinner the slices the softer the onions will be.
- Place slices in glass bowl and cover with ice cold water for 10 minutes to take out some of the sharp bite from the onions. Omit this step if you like intense onion flavour.
- Drain onions and divide into two 1 cup (1/2 pint) jars.
- Add one hot pepper to each jar.
- In small saucepan mix vinegar, water, sugar, salt, allspice berries, peppercorns in small saucepan. Cover and bring to boil, stirring to dissolve all ingredients.
- Pour mixture over onions to cover fully.
- Rest until cooled, about 1 hour.
- Seal with lid and store in fridge. Best if you let flavours infuse for two to three days before eating. Once opened, use within 3-6 months. You can keep closed jars in the fridge for up to a year – but I bet you'll eat them way before then!
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Tips When Making Quick Pickled Red Onions
Take the Bite Out of Raw Onions
Let’s talk red onions for a moment – earlier I mentioned I’m not a big fan of raw onions. They’re great cooked, but in their raw form, I find them too sharp. Along with an extended stay in the brine, there’s another technique that can help take the bite out of raw onions.
Chop your onions the way you want them in your recipe, in this case thin slices.
Let them soak in ice cold water for 10 – 15 minutes while you’re prepping everything else.
Voila! The colour and general flavour of the onion remains, but that sharp bite has mellowed.
Prevent Tears When Cutting Onions
Do you get teary eyed when chopping onions? Here’s an article I wrote many years ago on 14 Ways To Prevent Tears When Cutting Onions.
My son likes to wear goggles. I either use the food processor to chop and freeze onions or I cool onions in the fridge for 30 minutes before using.
A Little Spice is Nice
The red pepper in the jar adds a little touch of spice to these pickled red onion slices. We like a little spice, how about you?
Other Condiments You Can Make
Here are a few condiments that incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients. They may take a little more effort but they are well worth it.
- Chimichurri Sauce – A fresh, green herb sauce featuring parsley, oregano and garlic in oil and vinegar. Perfect for grilled meat.
- Rhubarb Barbeque Sauce – A tasty, not too smoky, sauce that’s great on chicken or lighter meats. One of over 40 rhubarb recipes in my Rhubarb Cookbook.
- Tzatziki – A healthier alternative to mayo, tzatziki is a great topping for meat or vegetarian burgers, grilled chicken, lamb and any Greek inspired dish. It’s also super tasty on sandwiches or in wraps
- Pickled Beets – Try them on burgers, in wraps or on sandwiches. You won’t be disappointed.
- Tomato Jam – It sounds bizarre, but this sweet and spicy jam does wonders for all kinds of burgers. It’s pretty awesome on crackers and cream cheese too!
- Pickled Hot Peppers – When hot sauce just isn’t enough, try these pickled hot peppers to add an extra kick to burgers, pizza, wraps or sandwiches.
- Hot Pepper Jelly – Sweet, salty, tangy and spicy – you get it all when you spread a little of this on your burger or grilled meat.
- Pickled Dilly Beans – Try these instead of cucumber pickles.
What’s your favourite condiment? Comment below or if you make this recipe, share your photos with me on Instagram @getgettys.
Getty Stewart is a Professional Home Economist, speaker, frequent media guest and writer dedicated to putting good food on tables and agendas. She is the author of several recipe books on enjoying and preserving fruit, Founder of Fruit Share, a mom and veggie gardener.
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