Description

This quick pickled red onion recipe transforms sliced red onions into a vibrant, zesty condiment with a spiced glaze. It’s an easy and versatile topping that adds a pop of flavor and crunch, ready in minutes for active preparation.

Ingredients

Scale

2 medium red onions, about 300 g (10.5 oz), thinly sliced
1 cup filtered water
1 cup apple cider vinegar (or white distilled vinegar or white wine vinegar)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
0.25 cup date syrup (or maple syrup or agave nectar)
1 tablespoon ground sumac
5 whole black peppercorns (or a pinch of red pepper flakes)
1 small cinnamon stick

Instructions

Prepare the Onions: Thinly slice 2 medium red onions into uniform rings or half-moons, ideally using a mandoline. Place the sliced onions into a clean, heat-proof glass jar.
Make the Brine: In a small saucepan, combine filtered water, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, fine sea salt, date syrup, ground sumac, whole black peppercorns, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring for 2-3 minutes until sugar and salt are dissolved and the liquid is well combined.
Infuse the Onions: Carefully pour the hot pickling liquid over the sliced red onions in the jar, ensuring they are fully submerged. The hot brine will gently soften the onions while preserving their crunch.
Cool and Chill: Let the jar of pickled onions cool completely at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. Once cooled, secure the lid and transfer to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving, or overnight for deeper flavors.

Notes

For consistency, use a mandoline to slice onions. Substitutions for vinegar, date syrup, and spices are provided. For a low-carb version, use erythritol or monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar and date syrup. Flavors deepen overnight in the fridge. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Category: Condiment
Method: Pickling
Cuisine: General

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 25 calories
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 120 mg
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 7 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: quick pickled red onions, condiment, easy recipe, tangy, spiced, plant-based, gluten-free, sumac, date syrup