Best 11 Pickled Red Onion Recipes

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Pickled red onions are a delicious and versatile condiment that can add a pop of color, flavor, and acidity to any dish. Whether you're using them as a topping for tacos, burgers, or sandwiches, or as a garnish for salads, pickled red onions are sure to please. And the best part is, they're incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can have a jar of delicious pickled red onions that will last for weeks in the refrigerator.

Here are our top 11 tried and tested recipes!

PICKLED CUCUMBER, RED ONION, AND RADISHES



Pickled Cucumber, Red Onion, and Radishes image

This is a perfect topping for our Pulled Pork Sandwiches.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Gluten-Free Recipes

Yield Makes about 4 cups

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 English cucumber, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
1 small red onion, sliced into 1/8-inch-thick rounds
8 radishes, sliced into 1/8-inch-thick rounds
1/4 cup coarse salt
2 cups cider vinegar
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
2 teaspoons mustard seeds
2 teaspoons whole coriander seeds

Steps:

  • Toss vegetables with 2 tablespoons salt in a large colander set over a bowl, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Rinse well, pat dry, and place vegetables in a clean glass jar or glass bowl. Bring remaining 2 tablespoons salt, the vinegar, sugar, peppercorns, mustard and coriander seeds to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes. Pour over vegetables, and let cool for 1 hour. Cover, and refrigerate overnight or up to 3 weeks.

QUICK CUCUMBER AND RED-ONION PICKLED SALAD



Quick Cucumber and Red-Onion Pickled Salad image

This Quick Cucumber and Red-Onion Pickled Salad is best when served very cold.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 large red onion, peeled and very thinly sliced
2 large cucumbers, peeled if waxed, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh dill, picked from thick stems, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Place sliced onion and cucumbers in a serving bowl. Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with rice-wine vinegar. Toss to combine, and transfer to refrigerator to chill, about 30 minutes.
  • Just before serving, scatter dill over salad, and toss well.

ROASTED-BEET AND PICKLED-RED-ONION SALAD



Roasted-Beet and Pickled-Red-Onion Salad image

Tender, roasted beets and red onions pickled in rice-wine vinegar give this salad a distinctive flavor.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 bunches red baby beets (about 4 pounds), trimmed and scrubbed
4 bunches white baby beets (about 4 pounds), trimmed and scrubbed
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 small red onions, sliced into 1/8-inch-thick rings
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place the red beets in a roasting pan and the white beets in another roasting pan. Drizzle each pan of beets with 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Cover pans with foil; roast about 1 1/2 hours, until beets are just tender when poked with a fork. Remove from oven; set aside until cool enough to handle.
  • Meanwhile, combine the sliced red onions and vinegar in a small bowl, and let stand until the onions soften, about 30 minutes.
  • Gently rub off beet skins. Cut larger beets in half; transfer to a serving bowl. Using a slotted spoon, lift onions out of vinegar; arrange over beets. Whisk horseradish into vinegar remaining in bowl. Whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil.
  • Pour the vinaigrette over the beets and onions. Season to taste with salt and pepper; toss to combine, and serve.

BARBECUED PORK SANDWICHES WITH PICKLED RED ONION



Barbecued Pork Sandwiches with Pickled Red Onion image

Provided by Cheryl Alters Jamison

Categories     Sandwich     Citrus     Fruit     Onion     Pork     Fourth of July     Backyard BBQ     Lunch     Meat     Pork Tenderloin     Summer     Tailgating     Bon Appétit     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

Onion
1 red onion, halved, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons orange juice
6 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon (scant) salt
Vinaigrette
1 garlic clove, peeled
1/2 teaspoon smoked salt or coarse kosher salt
3 tablespoons purchased tomato-based barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 cup olive oil
Pork
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 tablespoon smoked Spanish paprika (Pimentón de La Vera)*
1 teaspoon smoked salt or coarse kosher salt
2 (1-pound) pork tenderloins
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
6 large onion rolls, split, toasted
*Available at some supermarkets and specialty foods stores, and from tienda.com.

Steps:

  • For onion:
  • Place sliced onion in medium bowl. Pour boiling water over. Let stand 10 minutes; drain well, then return to bowl. Add juice, vinegar, and salt and stir to blend. Cover and chill at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
  • For vinaigrette:
  • Chop garlic with salt to paste; scrape into small bowl. Add barbecue sauce, orange juice, and lime juice to bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Season vinaigrette to taste with pepper. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
  • For pork:
  • Blend pepper, smoked paprika, and salt in small bowl. Sprinkle seasoning mix evenly over both tenderloins. Let stand at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
  • Spray grill rack with nonstick spray. Prepare barbecue (high heat). Grill tenderloins uncovered 5 minutes, rolling over to sear all sides. Cover grill and continue to cook until thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 145°F, turning often and moving to cooler part of grill as needed, about 15 minutes longer. Transfer to cutting board; let rest 10 minutes.
  • Thinly slice tenderloins crosswise into rounds. Mound pork on roll bottoms. Top with well-drained onion slices, then drizzle with vinaigrette. Cover with roll tops and serve, passing extra onion slices and vinaigrette separately.

SAUTéED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH SAUSAGE AND PICKLED RED ONION



Sautéed Brussels Sprouts With Sausage and Pickled Red Onion image

There's a special place at the dinner table for anything cooked in bacon or sausage fat, but brussels sprouts pair especially well with that kind of smoky, fatty flavor. Caramelized in sausage drippings, the sprouts stay lighter than expected thanks to some quickly pickled red onion and lots of fresh parsley.

Provided by Alison Roman

Categories     weeknight, vegetables

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 small red onion, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch slices
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Kosher salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage (hot or sweet), casings removed
1 1/2 pounds brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
1 cup flat-leaf Italian parsley, tender leaves and stems (about 1/2 bunch), roughly chopped

Steps:

  • Toss onion in vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet (at least 12-inches) over medium-high heat. Add sausage, using a wooden spoon or spatula to break it up into smaller pieces. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sausage is cooked through, browned and crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove sausage from skillet, leaving any fat behind. Set aside.
  • Add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet along with brussels sprouts. Season with salt and pepper and shake skillet so that most of the sprouts land cut-side down, turning some over with a fork, if necessary. Cook, without stirring, until brussels sprouts are well browned on one side, 5 to 8 minutes. Shake skillet to continue to brown sprouts all over, another 5 to 8 minutes. Add sausage back into skillet and stir to combine.
  • Remove from heat and add onions and any vinegar left over, tossing to coat. Season with salt and pepper, add parsley and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 379, UnsaturatedFat 20 grams, Carbohydrate 12 grams, Fat 31 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 585 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams

LAYERED PICKLED HERRING SALAD WITH TART APPLES AND RED ONION



Layered Pickled Herring Salad with Tart Apples and Red Onion image

Categories     Salad     Fish     Fruit     Onion     Marinate     Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur     Buffet     Vinegar     Apple     Cucumber     Radish     Chill     Dill     Bon Appétit

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 16

Cucumbers
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons pickling spice
1 teaspoon salt
1 large hothouse cucumber, cut into 1/8-inch-thick rounds
Salad
1 pound Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups chopped red onion
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1 1/4 cups sliced trimmed radishes
2 6-ounce jars spiced cut herring, drained, each piece halved
Boston lettuce leaves
Fresh dill sprigs (optional)

Steps:

  • For cucumbers:
  • Mix vinegar, water, sugar, pickling spice and salt in heavy medium saucepan; bring to boil, stirring until sugar and salt dissolve. Cool to room temperature. Place cucumbers in large glass bowl. Pour marinade over cucumbers. Cover; refrigerate overnight.
  • For salad:
  • Mix apples, red onion, sour cream and chopped dill in large bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Using slotted spoon, remove cucumbers from marinade. Arrange half of cucumbers in bottom of 8 x 8 x 2-inch glass dish. Arrange half of radishes atop cucumbers. Spoon half of apple mixture over radishes. Arrange herring evenly atop apple mixture. Spoon remaining apple mixture over herring. Cover with remaining cucumbers, then radishes. Cover and chill salad 3 hours.
  • Arrange lettuce leaves on platter. Spoon salad onto leaves. Garnish with dill sprigs, if desired, and serve.

DUCK PASTRAMI, PICKLED RED ONION, MUSTARD, RYE TOAST



Duck Pastrami, Pickled Red Onion, Mustard, Rye Toast image

Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 32

1 whole duck
2 tablespoons blended oil
Reserved fat from 1 whole duck
4 duck breasts, fat and skin removed
4 tablespoons whole coriander seed, toasted and ground
3 to 4 whole allspice berries, toasted and ground
4 tablespoons black peppercorns, toasted and ground
Kosher salt
Big pinch sugar
Extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 shallot, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
4 teaspoons whole grain mustard
1/2 cup warm duck fat
1/2 cup pickled onions, recipe follows
1 cup julienned apples
1 cup Bull's Blood micro greens
Freshly ground black pepper
Rendered warm duck fat
4 to 5 thinly sliced pieces rye bread
1/2 cup cracklings, sliced
2 pounds red onions, sliced
White wine vinegar
Sugar
Kosher salt
4 cloves garlic
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons mustard seeds

Steps:

  • For boning whole duck: Remove the first joint of the wing and reserve for stock. Remove the legs and thighs. Remove the feet from the legs and add to the stockpile. Remove the excess skin and use for rendering duck fat.
  • Remove the breasts from the breast bone. Trim any excess fat and add to the pile that needs to get rendered. Break down the neck and add to the carcass to make duck stock. Reserve 1 breast with skin off for the pastrami and reserve 1 breast with skin on for the roasted duck breast recipe. Reserve the legs and thighs for the duck confit. Reserve duck livers for the Dirty Quinoa. Reserve duck fat to render. Reserve carcass for stock.
  • Place a deep hotel pan or roasting pan over medium-high heat. Place 2 handfuls of soaked wood chips into the bottom of the pan and top with a perforated hotel pan or cooling rack placed over the roasting pan.
  • Add 2 tablespoons blended oil and all the reserved fat from the duck to a large cast iron pan and place over medium heat to render. After about 10 minutes, remove the solid fat (cracklings) and carefully strain out any impurities. If not using right away, allow the reserved rendered duck fat to cool to room temperature and keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
  • Season the duck with salt, pinch sugar, toasted ground coriander, allspice, and peppercorns. Flip and repeat. Drizzle both sides with extra-virgin olive oil.
  • Place the duck breast into the perforated part of the smoker or on the cooling rack and seal with foil. Place over high heat and smoke, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the duck from the pan and let rest.
  • For the bull's blood salad: To a large bowl, add the shallot, salt, pepper, apple cider vinegar, whole grain mustard and whisk in the warm duck fat. Taste and re-season, if necessary. To a medium bowl, add the pickled onions, julienned apples, Bull's Blood greens, about 1/4 cup dressing around the sides of the bowl, and season with freshly ground black pepper. Toss to combine and taste.
  • For the toast: Place a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons duck fat and 4 to 5 bread slices and add to the pan and toast. Remove from the pan and slice into croutons.
  • For each serving, place the salad onto the middle of a plate. Slice the duck thinly on the bias and place over the salad. Garnish with croutons, sliced cracklings, and drizzle with more dressing.
  • For the pickled onions: Pack the onions in 2 (1-quart) jars and cover with enough water to come within 1/2-inch of the rim. Pour the water out into a measuring cup. Note the volume, pour off half of the water and replace it with vinegar. Add 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons salt for every 3 cups of liquid.
  • Pour the vinegar mixture into a nonreactive saucepan, add the garlic, bay leaves, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, red pepper flakes, and mustard seeds, and bring to a boil over high heat. Allow the liquid to boil for 2 minutes, and then remove it from the heat.
  • Divide the mixture between the jars, pouring the liquid to cover the onions and then screw on the lids. Refrigerate for up to 1 month.

ROAST PORK BELLY TOASTS WITH BLOOD-ORANGE BBQ SAUCE AND PICKLED RED ONION



Roast Pork Belly Toasts with Blood-Orange BBQ Sauce and Pickled Red Onion image

This meltingly tender pork belly is an impressive yet surprisingly easy hors d'oeuvre to make-all you need is patience. The pork belly, barbecue sauce, pickled onions and crostini can all be completed at least three days ahead of time, making day of prep a breeze.

Provided by Lauryn Tyrell

Categories     Bread     Onion     Pork     Appetizer     Christmas     Orange     Sugar Conscious     Kidney Friendly     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free

Yield Makes 40 hors d'oeuvres

Number Of Ingredients 29

For the pork belly:
One 2-pound piece of boneless, skinless pork belly
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large onion, cut into thick wedges
1/2 fennel bulb, cut in thirds, fronds reserved
2 to 3 sprigs thyme
4 strips blood orange or regular orange zest
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
For the pickled red onion:
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
For the blood orange BBQ sauce:
2 tablespoons neutral vegetable oil, such as grapeseed
1/2 fennel bulb, minced (about 1/4 cup)
1/2 large shallot, minced (about 1/4 cup)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 bay leaf
1 star anise
1 cup blood orange or regular orange juice (from 4 to 6 oranges, or store bought)
To serve:
1 large baguette or 2 medium baguettes, cut into 40 1/4-inch thick slices and toasted
Reserved fennel fronds, roughly chopped
Flaky sea salt, such as Maldon, for sprinkling

Steps:

  • Cook the pork belly:
  • Preheat the oven to 325°F. With a very sharp knife, score the fat of the pork belly into 1/2-inch diagonal lines starting at one corner; repeat going the opposite direction to create a 1/2-inch cross-hatch pattern. Season very generously with salt and pepper on both sides of the pork.
  • Place the onion, fennel, thyme and orange peel in the bottom of a small roasting pan. Lay the pork on top of the vegetables, then pour the oil, wine and broth on and around the pork belly. Cover the pan with foil and cook pork is until easily pierced with a knife, about 3 hours.
  • To compress the pork (which makes for a better presentation): Transfer pork to a separate, low-sided serving dish. Cover in plastic wrap and top with another serving dish, weighing it down with cans or other heavy items.
  • Make the pickled red onions:
  • Combine vinegar, sugar, salt, and 1/2 cup warm water in a medium bowl and stir to dissolve. Add the sliced onion and let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour (or refrigerate at least overnight and up to 1 week).
  • Make the BBQ sauce:
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the fennel, shallot, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the sugar, vinegar, bay leaf, star anise, and juice. Raise the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until sauce has thickened enough to coat the pork and reduced by two thirds, about 20 minutes. Set aside.
  • Assemble the toasts:
  • When ready to serve, heat the broiler. Slice the pork belly across into 1/2-inch slices, then cut each slice into thirds. Arrange the slices on a rimmed baking sheet, cut side down; brush with the sauce and broil until crisped. Place one piece of pork on each toast; top with a little more sauce, pickled red onion, fennel fronds, and a pinch of flaky sea salt.

PICKLED CAULIFLOWER WITH RED ONION



Pickled Cauliflower With Red Onion image

The red onion bleeds just enough to lend a pretty pink color. This would be good alone or as part of an antipasti plate. Pair with meats and cheeses.

Provided by threeovens

Categories     Cauliflower

Time 30m

Yield 1 quart

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 head cauliflower, cut into florets
1 red onion, sliced thin into 1/4-inch slices
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
3/4 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup distilled white vinegar
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons sugar
kosher salt
1 teaspoon coriander seed
lemon zest (1 wide strip)

Steps:

  • Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and blanch the cauliflower until tender-crisp, about 2 minutes; drain and rinse under cold water to cool off.
  • Pack the cauliflower, onion, and garlic into a quart jar.
  • To make the brine: In a small saucepan, combine the vinegars, water, sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon salt, coriander, and lemon zest and bring to a boil.
  • Pour the hot brine over the cauliflower and let cool to room temperature.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 1 week.

BOILED YUCA WITH PICKLED RED ONION AND ROASTED GARLIC



Boiled Yuca with Pickled Red Onion and Roasted Garlic image

Provided by Food Network

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound yuca, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 medium red onions, sliced
1 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 bay leaf
Roasted garlic and hot sauce, for garnish
Salt and pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • To cook yuca, place pieces in a saucepot and cover with cold water and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once at a boil, lower the temperature and simmer until yuca is tender. Next, place red onion slices in a sauce pot with the vinegar, water, peppercorns, coriander, and 1 bay leaf. Bring the onions to a boil and remove from the heat to cool at room temperature. Once the yuca is tender strain and place in a serving bowl. Spoon the onions over the yuca. Serve with roasted garlic and hot sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

SAUTéED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH SAUSAGE AND PICKLED RED ONION



Sautéed Brussels Sprouts With Sausage and Pickled Red Onion image

Categories     Sausage

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 small red onion, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch slices
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 dash kosher salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage (hot or sweet), casings removed
1.5 pound brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
1 cup flat-leaf Italian parsley, tender leaves and stems (about 1/2 bunch), roughly chopped

Steps:

  • Toss onion in vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet (at least 12-inches) over medium-high heat. Add sausage, using a wooden spoon or spatula to break it up into smaller pieces. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sausage is cooked through, browned and crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove sausage from skillet, leaving any fat behind. Set aside.
  • Add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet along with brussels sprouts. Season with salt and pepper and shake skillet so that most of the sprouts land cut-side down, turning some over with a fork, if necessary. Cook, without stirring, until brussels sprouts are well browned on one side, 5 to 8 minutes. Shake skillet to continue to brown sprouts all over, another 5 to 8 minutes. Add sausage back into skillet and stir to combine.
  • Remove from heat and add onions and any vinegar left over, tossing to coat. Season with salt and pepper, add parsley and serve.

Tips: Pickling Red Onions to Perfection

  • Choose the right onions: Select firm, unblemished red onions for pickling. Smaller onions are more tender and pickle more evenly.
  • Slice the onions thinly: Use a sharp knife or mandoline to slice the onions as thinly as possible. This will help them absorb the pickling liquid more easily and evenly.
  • Use a flavorful pickling liquid: There are many different recipes for pickling liquid, but some common ingredients include vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and spices. You can also add herbs, such as dill or thyme, for extra flavor.
  • Let the onions pickle for at least 24 hours: The longer you let the onions pickle, the more flavorful they will become. However, you can start eating them after just a few hours if you're short on time.
  • Store the pickled onions properly: Once the onions are pickled, store them in a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. They will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Dishes with Vibrant Pickled Red Onions

Pickled red onions are a versatile and delicious ingredient that can add a pop of color and flavor to a variety of dishes. They are perfect for topping tacos, burgers, and sandwiches, or adding a tangy kick to salads, grain bowls, and charcuterie boards. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make your own pickled red onions at home and enjoy their zesty goodness for weeks to come. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy way to elevate your culinary creations, reach for a jar of pickled red onions and let their vibrant flavor shine through.

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