Pickled red onions are a tasty and versatile condiment that adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to a variety of dishes.

While store-bought pickled onions are widely available, making your own homemade pickled red onions is a simple and rewarding task that allows you to control the ingredients and flavors in your pickled onions.

Here are 5 reasons why we think making your own is a much better idea:

Control over ingredients

Store-bought pickled onions may contain additives and preservatives that may not be desirable, such as artificial colors and flavors.

By making your own pickled red onions, you can choose the type of vinegar, sugar, and other ingredients that you want to use.

Customizable flavor

Making your own pickled red onions allows you to customize the flavor to suit your personal preferences. You can experiment with different types of vinegar, such as white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or red wine vinegar, and add herbs and spices, such as garlic, black peppercorns, or bay leaves, to create your own unique flavor.

More cost-effective

Making your own pickled red onions is typically more cost-effective than purchasing store-bought options.

Red onions, vinegar, and other ingredients needed to make pickled onions are often readily available and inexpensive, making it a budget-friendly condiment to prepare at home.

Fresher flavor

Homemade pickled red onions have a fresher, more robust flavor than store-bought options.

The pickling process helps to preserve the onions, allowing them to last for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Convenient and easy to make

Making your own pickled red onions is a simple and convenient task that requires minimal effort.

Simply slice the onions, combine the ingredients in a small saucepan, and let the onions pickle in the refrigerator.

Whether you’re using them on sandwiches, salads, tacos, or as a garnish for cocktails, pickled red onions are a delicious and versatile condiment that is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

How to Make Homemade Pickled Onions

Course: AllDifficulty: Easy

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

2

hours 

Pickled red onions are a tasty and versatile condiment that adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to a variety of dishes

Ingredients

• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 cup white vinegar

• 1 cup water

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)

Directions

• In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, peppercorns, bay leaf, and garlic (if using).
• Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar and salt have dissolved.
  
• Place the sliced onion in a small jar or container with a tight-fitting lid.
  
• Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the onions, making sure to cover the onions completely.
  
• Let the onions cool to room temperature, then cover the jar with the lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 1 week.
  

Notes

• Pickled red onions are a great addition to sandwiches, salads, tacos, and more. They are also a delicious garnish for cocktails and can be used to add flavor to dips and spreads.