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–+ servings
a jar of pickled onions with herbs on a wood table

Quick Pickled White Onions

Kristina Todini, RDN
Quick Pickled White Onions, an easy refrigerator pickled white onions recipe in a light vinegar brine. A tasty and easy way to preserve your onions without canning!
5 stars (15 ratings)
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cooling and Pickling Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Course Salads + Side Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 40 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large white onion
  • 1 tablespoon mustard seeds or stone ground
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup vinegar white, white wine, apple cider
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Optional: fresh herbs (dill, etc.), red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • Prep the white onion: Cut the stems off the onion, then slice in half and remove the outer layer. Then slice each half into thin slices and set aside.
  • Prepare the pickling jar: Add sliced onions to a large jar and add mustard seeds, garlic, and optional add-ins like herbs and red pepper flakes.
  • Prepare and add the brine: In a medium saucepan bring the water, vinegar, salt, and sugar to a boil. Once boiling, pour into the jar until the liquid completely submerges the onions. Let the jar cool on the counter until it reaches room temperature.
  • Pickling instructions: Once cooled, close the lid on the jar securely and put the jar into the refrigerator and let the onions pickle for at least 2 hours before serving, but for best results serve after at least 24 hours. Quick pickled onions are good up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Vinegar: White vinegar, white wine vinegar, and apple cider vinegar are the best vinegar choices for this recipe.
  • Recommended jar: Choose a large and wide jar with about 1/2 - 1 inch space (2-3 cm) below the lid.
  • Other recommended tools: small saucepan, cutting board, knife set
  • Prep ahead and storage: Refrigerator pickled onions should be made at least 2 hours before serving, but for best results make at least 24-48 hours ahead. Keep the jar refrigerated and it can be enjoyed for up to two weeks. Do not freeze.
  • Nutrition notes: Nutrition information is calculated with all brine ingredients (including full amount of sugar, salt, etc.), however the onions don’t absorb all of the liquid so the actual nutrition information is less than listed here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 40kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.04gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 1794mgPotassium: 62mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 0.2mg
Keyword quick pickled onions
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