A PWWB Fridge Staple–The Ultimate Flavor Bomb to Add to Any Meal!
If you peek into my fridge at any given moment, I can almost guarantee that you’ll spot a jar of these Quick Pickled Red Onions.
I like to call them the ultimate flavor bomb because they pack so much brightness, flavor, and the perfect pop of color–adding a little something special to almost any meal.
There are plenty of ways to pickle onions, but this recipe is by far the quickest and easiest I’ve found.
It all started on a lazy day when the thought of boiling water for pickled onions felt like too much (who doesn’t love a good lazy-girl recipe, right?). The secret? A simple pickling solution made with warm water, liquid sweetener (maple syrup FTW!), and just a pinch of salt–no boiling required.
I love to throw these together on Sunday nights; they take just 5 minutes of active prep and are ready to go by the time I need them during the week. And let’s be real—hot pink food is the best food! I can’t wait for you to give them a try and see how they brighten up your meals!
Maximum Flavor, Minimal Effort
3 foolproof secrets to low-fuss, flavor-packed dinners, learned from years working in restaurants.
Key Ingredients
Other than taking no time at all to whip up a batch, the best part about these quick and easy homemade pickled onions is the fact that you only need 5 simple ingredients to make them.
A major bonus? They’re all pantry staples that you probably already have on hand!
Tips For the Absolute Best N0-Cook Pickled Red Onions
The best onions to use ⇢ When picking your onions, go for a healthy, firm red onion for the best results. While red onions are known for their sharp, slightly spicy flavor, they mellow beautifully when pickled, offering a tangy bite and that irresistible neon pink color. If you prefer, you can swap in other types of onions like white, sweet, or pearl onions for a slightly different flavor profile!
Best vinegar to use ⇢ For the vinegar, you can use a variety of options, but my personal favorite is rice vinegar. Its naturally mild and sweet flavor adds the perfect touch of zippiness without overpowering the onions. I always keep a bottle or two on hand in my pantry for just about everything!
Best sweetener to use ⇢ Instead of using a granulated sweetener, I prefer liquid options like pure maple syrup to balance the vinegar’s tang with just the right amount of sweetness. Honey and agave work well, too—maple syrup is my go-to for that perfect, natural touch of sweetness, and it’s my favorite vegan option!
Other key ingredients…
- Kosher salt – Remember osmosis? A little bit of salt helps draw out the onion’s natural moisture and replaces it with the flavorful pickling liquid.
- Hot water – Helps the pickling solution come together and accelerates the pickling process. No stovetop or boiling required!
How to Make Quick Homemade Pickled Red Onions
These quick pickled red onions take less than 5 minutes to prep, and they couldn’t be any easier to throw together!
Meal Prep Tips!
Since this recipe only requires a quick 5 minutes of prep, it’s the perfect recipe to make ahead of time. They are such an easy mise en place meal prep bonus and you can enjoy them all week long with any of your weeknight meals!
Serving Suggestions
Once you have a jar of quick pickled onions in your fridge, it’s not difficult to find an excuse to toss them on top of all of your favorite dishes.
Use them atop tacos, burritos, and enchiladas, tossed into a green salad, hummus or grain bowl or layered inside of a burger or sandwich – the options are endless!
A few more ideas to get you started…
- Pickled onions are especially good with Mexican or Tex-Mex inspired dishes – Chorizo Sweet Potato Tacos, Crispy Chicken Carnitas, Black Bean Quinoa Tacos, and so on. Make a batch for your next Taco Tuesday!
- Sprinkle them on top of a Mediterranean-inspired dishes (ahem, Sheet-Pan Veggie Shawarma!). You can also sub them for raw diced red onion in any of your favorite salad recipes (like this Falafel-ish Quinoa Salad or this Grilled Panzanella Salad) for a slightly tangy variation – yum!
- Once grilling season rolls around, I love topping burgers and sausages with quick pickled red onions to add zest to any type of burger – like our classic House Burgers or juicy Turkey Burgers!
Add these Quick AF Quick Pickled Onions to your meal prep list ASAP…future you will be so grateful!
If you do give them a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo and tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. We LOVE seeing your PWWB creations!
Print
(Quick AF!) Quick Pickled Red Onions – No Boiling Required
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Sauces & Condiments
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Say hello to your new favorite topping: Quick Pickled Red Onions! Made with just 5 simple ingredients and no cooking or boiling required, these tangy, zesty onions come together in just 5 minutes of active prep. They’re the perfect way to add a burst of flavor and that irresistible neon pink pop of color to any dish!
Naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian.
Ingredients
- 1 medium red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup (or agave, or honey)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup rice vinegar (or another mild vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar)
- ½ cup hot water
Instructions
- Prep: Peel and very thinly slice the red onion. The more thinly you slice the onion, the quicker they’ll pickle. Transfer to a small bowl, jar, or airtight container and set aside.
- Whisk together the pickling liquid: Add the syrup, kosher salt, vinegar, and water to a liquid measuring cup or small bowl. Whisk to combine, dissolving the salt into the pickling liquid.
- Make the quick pickled onions: Pour the pickling liquid over the prepared onions from Step 1. Use a fork, as needed, to mix and submerge all the onions in the liquid. Transfer to the refrigerator and allow the onions to pickle for 2-4 hours until they develop their bright pink, jewel-toned color. Garnish your favorite dishes with them throughout the week and enjoy!
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
- Storage: Quick pickled red onions will keep, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
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I’ve made this recipe several times and it’s always super easy and tasty. A great way to elevate raw red onions.
We couldn’t agree more, Ellen! Thanks so much for the review!
Such a simple and delicious recipe. Great pickled onions in a few hours, even better in a couple of days!
Couldn’t agree more, Sarah! So glad you enjoyed them as much as we do! Jess