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My Pickled Onions for Tacos are easy to make and ready in 35 minutes! You can easily add a tangy and sweet pop of flavor to burgers, salads, potato salads, tacos, quesadillas, and more following my recipe for pickled red onions. You only need 4 basic ingredients!
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Pickled Red Onions for Tacos
I am obsessed with pickled onions! They're the best way to add a bright pop of vibrant pink color and amazing tangy flavor to any dish. Not only that, but it's easy to make quick pickled onions to store and have whenever you feel like adding a little something extra to your meal. Easier than you might think!
The best part? My pickled onions recipe can be ready as quickly as 30 minutes. You don't have to wait overnight! Start your meal prep with these onions, and by the time dinner is ready, so are your quick pickled red onions!
Pickled Red Onion for Tacos Ingredients
- Red Onion: Red onion works the best for pickling thanks to its strong flavor. Pickling also makes red onions a gorgeous bright color that adds a pop of vibrancy to anything you pair them with.
- Sugar: This is to balance out the astringent flavor of the red onion and vinegar. You want to be sure to use salt for the best tasting pickled onions.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: You can use other varieties of vinegar, like rice vinegar or white wine vinegar, too. I prefer apple cider vinegar for the flavor.
- Salt: I recommend using kosher salt or sea salt flakes. I'm using Himalayan pink sea salt.
- Water
How to Pickle Red Onion
- Thinly slice red onions, then add them to a mason jar or container with a lid.
- Pour water inside the same jar, along with apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt.
- Secure the lid, and mix well by shaking.
- Store in the fridge until bright pink and tender. This could take anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight, depending on the thickness of your onion slices.
Pickled Red Onions for Tacos Recipe Tips
- I like to slice my onions a little thicker for a crunch, but the thinner your onions are sliced, the quicker the pickling process goes.
- Try a different vinegar! Play around with different vinegar options to find your favorite flavor.
- If you want to naturally sweeten your pickled onions, I recommend using maple syrup or honey.
- Make your pickled onions spicy by adding a few freshly sliced jalapeño peppers inside your pickling jar.
- Enjoy with Garlic Marinated Flank Steak!
- Add in a clove or two of garlic for a more garlicky pickled onion!
Pickled Onions Variations
I love to play around with flavors in this recipe. Here are some variations you can add to the brine:
- cloves
- bay leaf
- black peppercorns
- coriander seeds
- fresh herbs
- cumin
- mustard seeds
Have fun with it and see what your favorite flavor combination is!
Pickled White Onions
You can pickle white onions instead of red onions. Simply slice the white onions to your preferred thickness and add to a jar with vinegar, water, salt, and sugar, along with any other flavor-adding ingredients you may want to add, such as garlic or jalapeños.
Pickled Onions Recipe FAQ
Distilled white vinegar is a common choice when pickling, but any variety of vinegar will work for pickling onions. Try different varieties to see what flavors you like best, such as apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or others. My family prefers apple cider vinegar.
Sugar is not necessary for pickling, but adds a sweetness to balance out the tart flavor of the vinegar and, in the case of pickled onions, the onions. You can try using more or less sugar when pickling onions depending on your taste preferences, or cut it out entirely to make keto pickled onions.
Pickled onions will last up to 3-4 weeks in vinegar when stored in the refrigerator in a jar with a lid.
Taco Recipes to Enjoy with Pickled Onions
Uses for Pickled Onions
- Pile high on a burger! I like to pair it with my favorite poached egg burger, these loaded burgers, or a classic bison burger!
- Top on a salad! My delicious, cold quinoa salad and grilled chicken salad show off these pickled onions best.
- Over Vegetable Fajitas!
- Stuff them inside a sandwich! Pickled red onions taste great in just about any sandwich, but my favorite is a pulled pork sandwich.
- Perfect inside a bowl! Try them in my teriyaki bowls or top them inside your own bowls with cilantro lime rice or white rice!
- They are amazing when added to guacamole or salsa.
- Any dish that needs an extra crispy, tangy, sweet finish!
- On Chicken Fajitas made with our Chicken Fajita Marinade
When I first pickled red onions for tacos, I was shocked by how easy it is and how little time it takes to make them. Once you try pickling them yourself, I know you won't want to buy them jarred anymore. It's too easy, and the results are delicious!
Pickled Onions for Tacos
Equipment
- Jar or container with lid
Ingredients
- 1 large red onion - peeled and sliced thinly
- ⅓ cup sugar - adjust to preference
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon salt
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Thinly slice red onions, then place them in a jar or a container with a lid.1 large red onion
- Pour water inside the same jar, along with apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt.⅓ cup sugar,2 cups apple cider vinegar,1 Tablespoon salt,2 cups water
- Secure the lid, and mix well by shaking.
- Store in the refrigerator until bright pink and tender. This could take anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight, depending on the thickness of your onion slices.
Notes
- I like to slice my onions a little thicker for a crunch, but the thinner your onions are sliced the quicker the pickling process goes.
- Try a different vinegar! Play around with different vinegar options to find your favorite flavor.
- If you want to naturally sweeten your pickled onions, I recommend using maple syrup or honey.
- Make your pickled onions spicy, by adding a few freshly sliced jalapeño peppers inside your pickling jar.
- Add in a clove or two of garlic for a more garlicky pickled onion!
Bettie Hall says
Love the recipes
Isabel Laessig says
This makes me so happy to hear, Bettie. I am so glad you enjoy them!