Best 6 Traditional English Pickled Onions Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to discover the art of traditional English pickled onions, a delectable condiment that adds a tangy, sweet, and savory twist to your culinary creations. These onions, steeped in a flavorful vinegar solution, transform into a vibrant pink hue and possess a unique taste that complements a wide range of dishes, from classic meat and cheese platters to delectable salads and sandwiches. As you delve into the world of English pickled onions, you'll uncover the secrets behind their distinctive flavor and learn how to prepare them in your own kitchen using simple, everyday ingredients.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ENGLISH PICKLED ONIONS (PUB STYLE)



English Pickled Onions (Pub Style) image

English Pickled Onions! As versatile as they are tasty (see blog post for ideas), you'll want to make a double batch because they're thoroughly delicious!

Provided by Kimberly Killebrew

Categories     Appetizer     Snack

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 pounds small boiler onions (or larger pearl onions)
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
3 cups quality real malt vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
2 allspice berries
2 whole cloves
2 bay leaves

Steps:

  • To more easily peel the onions: Trim the ends off of each onion and place them in a heat-proof bowl. Pour boiling water over them and let them sit for a minute. Then drain, rinse with cold water and remove the peels. Place the peeled onions in a bowl, sprinkle with the salt and toss to distribute the salt. Cover with a towel or loosely with plastic wrap and let them sit at room temp overnight. Don't let them sit longer than 14 hours or so or the amount of "crunch" will be compromised. Rinse well and drain thoroughly.
  • To make the brine: Place all remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil until the sugar is dissolved.
  • While the brine is simmering, pack the onions into sterilized mason/Kilner jars (plan on using either 4 pint sized jars or 2 quart sized jars). Pour the hot brine over the onions (I pour it through a sieve to collect the spices) and then distribute the spices among the jars. Stick a butter knife or other long object down into the jars to ensure there are no air bubbles. Wipe the jar rims down with a clean, damp cloth. Place the canning lids on the jars (or rubber rings if using) and screw/snap shut while hot to create a vacuum seal. Let the onions cool and then place them somewhere at room temp to mature for at least 3-4 weeks before eating, preferably 6-8 weeks for best flavor. Once opened store them in the fridge where they will keep for 3+ months.
  • If canning the onions via boiling water bath for long-term storage (note: they will lost much of their crunchiness): Pack the jars as described above and wipe the rims. Stick a butter knife or other long object down into the jars to ensure there are no air bubbles. Place the lids on the jars and screw them on. Process them in a boiling water bath canner. For pint-sized jars in altitudes up to 1000 ft, process for 10 minutes (see chart in blog post for higher altitudes).Remove the jars from the canner and let them sit undisturbed for 24 hours. Check to make sure the lids are airtight. Then store them in a cool, dark place where they will keep for up to a year. Once opened store them in the fridge where they will keep for 3+ months.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 ounce, Calories 28 kcal, Carbohydrate 5 g, Sugar 5 g

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH PICKLED ONIONS



Traditional English Pickled Onions image

Serve with cold ham, bread and cheese. These pickled onions are made with dark malt vinegar and stored for at least 6 weeks before eating.

Provided by AUSSIEMUM1

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Canning and Preserving Recipes     Pickled

Time P1DT35m

Yield 32

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 ¼ pounds pearl onions, peeled
½ cup salt
3 cups malt vinegar
1 tablespoon mixed pickling spice
2 dried chile peppers, crumbled
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 bay leaves

Steps:

  • Place the peeled onions in a glass or ceramic bowl and cover with cold water. Drain the water into a saucepan and stir in the salt. Bring just to a boil so that the salt dissolves, then cool slightly and pour over the onions. Cover the bowl with a heavy plate so all of the onions stay submerged. Leave onions to stand for 24 hours.
  • Measure the vinegar into a saucepan. Tie the pickling spice into a cloth and add to the vinegar along with the bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.
  • Rinse the onions and pat them dry. Add to the saucepan with the vinegar. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Pack the onions into sterile jars and ladle the brine over them until they are covered. Add a dried chile pepper to each jar if you like. Seal with sterile lids and rings and store in a cool dark place for at least 6 weeks before opening.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 27.9 calories, Carbohydrate 6.9 g, Protein 0.4 g, Sodium 12.8 mg, Sugar 1.8 g

PICKLED ONIONS



Pickled onions image

Preserved shallots in malt vinegar make a classic condiment that will never ge.t old. Beautiful with cheese and cold meats

Provided by Sarah Cook

Categories     Buffet, Condiment

Time 20m

Yield Makes 2 large jars

Number Of Ingredients 4

500g small shallot
50g salt
500ml malt vinegar
200g clear honey

Steps:

  • Place the onions in a large heatproof bowl and pour over boiling water to cover. Leave to cool. Once cool, trim roots and tops and peel. Sprinkle the salt over the peeled onions, stir and leave overnight.
  • Next day rinse the onions well and dry with kitchen towel. Place the vinegar and honey into a large pan and gently heat just to dissolve the honey into the vinegar, but do not boil.
  • Pack the onions into clean, sterilized jars. Pour over the hot vinegar mixture to fill the jars, and check there are no air pockets. Seal the jars and leave to cool. The onions will be ready to eat after about 1 month or better if kept for 2. Once opened store in the fridge.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 37 calories, Carbohydrate 8 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 8 grams sugar, Fiber 0.3 grams fiber, Protein 0.5 grams protein, Sodium 0.3 milligram of sodium

EASY AND TRADITIONAL BRITISH PUB STYLE PICKLED ONIONS



Easy and Traditional British Pub Style Pickled Onions image

I have been making these for years and years now, and I always like to have a jar handy in the pantry. They are great to munch on with cold meats, cheeses, bread and crackers, as well as being a much loved and traditional accompaniment to Ploughman's Lunch and also Fish and Chips. You will often see large jars of pickled onions in British fish and chip shops, AND on the bar in British pubs! If you start these in October, they will be ready to eat by Christmas and New year - making them an ideal addition for your cold buffet table and cheese boards. Please note, this is an easy and therefore a NON BRINING method; they will last for about 6 to 9 months in ideal conditions, a cool and dark pantry or store cupboard. If you wish to make these in bulk to last a couple of years, you need to brine the onions first; I have added brining notes at the end of the recipe instructions. I hope you will enjoy these as much as we do!

Provided by French Tart

Categories     Onions

Time P1m14DT15m

Yield 1 Large Jar Pickled Onions

Number Of Ingredients 3

2 lbs pickling onions, peeled
1 1/2 pints malt vinegar or 1 1/2 pints pickling vinegar
2 tablespoons ready-mixed pickling spices (OR 2 tablespoons of your your own mix using -- green, white and black peppercorns, coriander seeds,)

Steps:

  • Peel the onions and pack one third of them tightly into a large Kilner jar or preserves jar. (You can also use several smaller jars if you wish.).
  • Scatter one third of the pickling spices over the top of the first layer of onions and continue packing the onions in to the jar - adding two more layers of pickling spices as you go.
  • Pour the malt vinegar into the jar, making sure that all the onions are covered by the vinegar.
  • Add some extra vinegar if there is not quite enough.
  • Seal the jar and store in a dark, cool place for at least 6 weeks before using the pickled onions.
  • Brining Notes:.
  • You need to begin 2 days ahead by placing the onions in a large non-metallic bowl. Then mix 2 pints of water with 4 ozs of salt together, pour this over the onions and leave them covered with a cloth for 2 days.
  • Drain the onions and dry them well, continue as above. These onions will last for up to 2 years + in ideal conditions - a dark and cool pantry or store room.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 533.3, Fat 0.7, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 63.4, Carbohydrate 98.5, Fiber 12.7, Sugar 41.8, Protein 8.3

ENGLISH PUB-STYLE PICKLED ONIONS



English Pub-Style Pickled Onions image

This pickle is made the traditional way, with a short brining to keep the onions crisp, and with cool rather than hot vinegar. If you'd like to can the onions, though, use two one-pint or four half-pint Mason jars instead of a quart jar, and pour the spiced vinegar over the onions while the vinegar is hot. Seal the jars immediately with hot two-piece caps, and process the jars for 10 minutes in a boiling-water bath. Sharp-tasting, brown malt vinegar is available at most supermarkets. If you can't find it, or if you'd like a milder pickle, use white wine vinegar.

Provided by Millereg

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time P1m4D

Yield 1 1/2 pounds, 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup pickling salt
2 quarts water
1 1/2 lbs pearl onions or 1 1/2 lbs shallots
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cups malt vinegar
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1/4 teaspoon whole allspice
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
1 bay leaf, crumbled

Steps:

  • In a bowl, dissolve ¼ cup salt in 1 quart water; add the onions and weight them gently with a plate that fits inside the bowl.
  • Let them stand 8 to 12 hours.
  • Drain the onions, and peel them; return them to the bowl.
  • Make a brine with the remaining salt and water, pour it over the onions, and weight them gently again.
  • Let them stand 2 days.
  • In a nonreactive saucepan, bring the sugar and vinegar to a boil; let the liquid cool.
  • Drain and rinse the onions, and drain them well again.
  • In a 1-quart jar, layer the onions, peppercorns, allspice, pepper flakes, and bay leaf.
  • Cover them with the cooled, sweetened vinegar.
  • Cover the jar with a nonreactive cap, preferably all plastic.
  • Refrigerate the jar for at least 1 month before eating the onions.
  • They will keep for at least 6 months.

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH PICKLED ONIONS



Traditional English Pickled Onions image

Serve with cold ham, bread and cheese. These pickled onions are made with dark malt vinegar and stored for at least 6 weeks before eating.

Provided by AUSSIEMUM1

Categories     Pickles

Time P1DT35m

Yield 32

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 ¼ pounds pearl onions, peeled
½ cup salt
3 cups malt vinegar
1 tablespoon mixed pickling spice
2 dried chile peppers, crumbled
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 bay leaves

Steps:

  • Place the peeled onions in a glass or ceramic bowl and cover with cold water. Drain the water into a saucepan and stir in the salt. Bring just to a boil so that the salt dissolves, then cool slightly and pour over the onions. Cover the bowl with a heavy plate so all of the onions stay submerged. Leave onions to stand for 24 hours.
  • Measure the vinegar into a saucepan. Tie the pickling spice into a cloth and add to the vinegar along with the bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.
  • Rinse the onions and pat them dry. Add to the saucepan with the vinegar. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Pack the onions into sterile jars and ladle the brine over them until they are covered. Add a dried chile pepper to each jar if you like. Seal with sterile lids and rings and store in a cool dark place for at least 6 weeks before opening.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 27.9 calories, Carbohydrate 6.9 g, Protein 0.4 g, Sodium 12.8 mg, Sugar 1.8 g

Tips:

  • Use small pickling onions for best results.
  • Peel the onions thinly to avoid bitterness.
  • Use a sharp knife to slice the onions evenly.
  • Pack the onions tightly into the jar to prevent them from floating.
  • Make sure the pickling liquid completely covers the onions.
  • Store the pickled onions in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks before eating.
  • Pickled onions can be used as a condiment, snack, or ingredient in various dishes.

Conclusion:

Traditional English pickled onions are a delicious and versatile condiment that can be enjoyed in many ways. With just a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can make your own pickled onions at home. Serve them as a side dish to your favorite meal, use them as a topping for salads or sandwiches, or simply enjoy them as a snack. Pickled onions are a great way to add a tangy, flavorful punch to any dish!

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