Learn How to Make Quick Pickled Onions with this easy recipe. These Quick Pickled Red Onions  instantly upgrade any dish they’re added to (salads, tacos or burgers) or paired with (grilled chicken or salmon).  

A clear glass mason jar filled with slices of pickled onions.

You will likely find yourself  eating these completely addicting pickled red onions straight out of the jar!  But they’re also delicious added to salads, tacos, burgers or pair them up with grilled chicken or salmon. 

A clear glass jar filled with pickled onions.

Pickled Red Onion Recipe

This pickled red onion recipe uses just 6 ingredients that you’re likely to already  have in your pantry.

  • Red onion
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Sea salt
  • Clover honey (you can use granulated sugar if you prefer)
  • Dried bay leaf
  • Peppercorns

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to Pickle Onions

This easy pickled red onions come together in 1 hour start-to-finish.

  1. In a medium size glass jar combine the vinegar, salt, honey,  bay leaf and peppercorns.
  2. Stir until the honey (or sugar) is dissolved.
  3. Add the onion slices to the brine mixture. Place the lid on top of the jar and refrigerate for 1 hour before using.
  4. Drain the onions before using.

A clear glass mason jar filled with pickled red onions.

Are Red Onions Good For You? 

Onions are a powerful superfood.  They’re part of the allium family of vegetables which include garlic, scallions, leeks and chives. Besides adding flavor to dishes, onions

  • are rich with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
  • may help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure
  • strengthens immunity
  • may help to regulate blood sugar levels.  

Slices of allums scattered on a table.

A clear glass mason jar filled with slices of allums.

How Long Do Pickled Onions Last?

Quick pickled red onions will last in the refrigerator up to a week. 

How Do You Serve Pickled Onions?

Adding red pickled onions is an easy way to add a pop of color and boost of flavor to just about any dish, but especially burgers, sandwiches, tacos and salads.

A clear glass mason jar filled with pickled onions.

More Pickled Vegetable Recipes

A clear glass mason jar filled with pickled red onions.
Yield: Serves 8

Quick Pickled Onions

Prep Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

These Quick Pickled Onions (also referred to as Pickled Red Onions) instantly upgrade any dish they're added to, like salads, tacos and burgers.

Ingredients

  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons clover honey (you can use granulated sugar if you prefer)
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 6 peppercorns

Instructions

  1. In a medium size glass jar combine the vinegar, salt, honey,  bay leaf and peppercorns.
  2. Stir until the honey (or sugar) is dissolved.
  3. Add the onion. Place the lid on top of the jar and refrigerate for 1 hour before using.
  4. Drain the onions before using.

Or add the onions to the jar and in a separate jar mix the vinegar, salt, honey, bay leaf and pepper corns, then pour over the onions.