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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes » Pickled Onions for Tacos

    Pickled Onions for Tacos

    Published: Sep 17, 2023 Modified: Sep 17, 2023 by Isabel Laessig

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    My Pickled Onions for Tacos recipe is easy to make and ready in minutes! Easily add a tangy and sweet pop of flavor to burgers, salads, and much more with my simple pickled red onion recipe. You’ll only need 4 basic ingredients, plus water!

    pickled red onions in a grey bowl with tacos behind
    Jump to:
    • Pickled Red Onions for Tacos
    • Pickled Onions Recipe Ingredients
    • How to Pickle Onions
    • Pickled Red Onions Recipe Tips
    • Pickled Red Onions Variations
    • Pickled White Onions
    • Pickled Onions Recipe FAQs
    • Taco Recipes
    • Uses for Pickled Onions
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    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.

    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!

    picked red onions on top of tacos and in a grey bowl

    Pickled Onions Recipe Ingredients

    • Red onion
    • Sugar
    • Apple cider vinegar
    • Salt
    • Water
    pickled onions ingredients

    How to Pickle Onions

    1. Thinly slice red onions, then add them to a mason jar or container with a lid.sliced red onions in a clear mason jar
    2. Pour water inside the same jar, along with apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt.sliced red onions in a clear mason jar with salt overtop for pickled red onions
    3. Secure the lid, and mix well by shaking.shaking clear jar for pickled red onions
    4. 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 in a jar mason jar

    Pickled Red Onions 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.
    • Add in a clove or two of garlic for a more garlicky pickled onion!

    Fun Fact: To get rid of onion breath, eat some fresh parsley!

    Pickled Red 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 FAQs

    Which vinegar is best for pickling?

    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 own family prefers apple cider vinegar.

    Do I need to add sugar to pickling 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.

    How long do pickled onions last?

    Pickled onions will last up to 3-4 weeks in vinegar when stored in the refrigerator in a jar with a lid.

    Taco Recipes

    • Quesabirria Tacos
    • Chicken Birria Tacos
    • Carne Picada Tacos
    • Mushroom Tacos
    • Tilapia Tacos

    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.
    • 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!

    📋 Recipe

    pickled red onions in a grey bowl with tacos behind

    Pickled Onions for Tacos

    Isabel Laessig
    Ready in just 30 minutes, these easy Pickled Onions are crisp, tangy, and delicious! Top off your favorite burgers, tacos, salads, and more.
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Pickling Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 cups
    Calories 201 kcal

    Equipment

    • Jar or container with lid

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 large red onion peeled and sliced thinly
    • â…“ cup sugar adjust to preference
    • 2 cups apple cider vinegar
    • 1 Tablespoon salt
    • 2 cups water
    Cooking Conversions

    See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!

    Instructions
     

    • Thinly slice red onions, then place them in a jar or a container with a lid.
      1 large red onion
      sliced red onions in a clear mason jar
    • Pour water inside the same jar, along with apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt.
      â…“ cup sugar, 2 cups apple cider vinegar, 1 Tablespoon salt, 2 cups water
      sliced red onions in a clear mason jar with salt overtop for pickled red onions
    • Secure the lid, and mix well by shaking.
      shaking clear jar for pickled red onions
    • 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. 
      pickled red onions in a jar mason jar

    Video

    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!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 3515mgPotassium: 256mgFiber: 1gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword how to pickle onions, pickled oions recipe, pickled onions for tacos, pickled red onion recipe
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    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

    About Isabel Laessig

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!

    » About Me

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    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

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