The Best Pickled Red Onions for Tacos, Salads & Bowls
These quick pickled red onions are a tangy, slightly sweet condiment made with simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for tacos, bowls, salads, and sandwiches, they come together in minutes and are a great meal prep staple to keep on hand.
Servings 1 cup
Ingredients
- 1 large red onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup white vinegar
- ½ cup warm water
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cloves garlic (smashed)
- ½ tsp black peppercorns
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 small bay leaf
- 1-2 tsp fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Thinly slice the red onion and place into a clean jar or bowl.
- In a bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the vinegar, warm water, honey, and salt until dissolved.
- Add the garlic, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, bay leaf, and lime juice to the onions.
- Pour the brine over the onions, making sure they’re fully submerged. Press them down if needed.
- Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for 1–2 hours .
Notes
- You can swap honey for maple syrup if preferred
- White vinegar can be replaced with apple cider vinegar for a slightly different flavor
- Adjust red pepper flakes based on spice preference
- If onions taste too sharp, let them sit longer to mellow
- Works with thinly sliced shallots as well
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