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    Home » Recipes » Extras

    Published: Feb 15, 2018 · Modified: Jun 19, 2023 by bri · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Quick Pickled Onions (No Cook)

    These easy Quick Pickled Onions with jalapenos (optional) elevate almost any dish. All you need is 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to make this delicious garnish. Use on tacos, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, bowls...the options are endless! (Vegan, Gluten Free).
    Jump to Recipe
    Quick pickled onions in a glass jar with a fork.

    You should always have a jar of these Quick Pickled Onions and Jalapenos in the fridge! They keep for weeks. And, they're an easy way to add flavor to any meal. We love using pickled onions on avocado tacos, mushroom tacos, black bean burgers, veggie chili, and pretty much anything else.

    The brine tempers the harsh bite of raw onion, so you can use these pickled onions generously. Jalapenos are optional, but they're an easy way to get more "bang" for almost no effort. In our cookbook, we talk about using a bit of acid to brighten the flavors of a dish. This can be done with citrus or vinegar—but pretty pink onions might be even better!

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Recipe video
    • Ingredients (and substitutes)
    • How to make (step-by-step photos)
    • How to use pickled onions
    • Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Easy to make: All you need is 5 ingredients and 10 minutes! And, there's no cooking required for this recipe.
    • Versatile: Use quick pickled onions and jalapenos on just about anything. Delicious in tacos, burgers, salads, bowls and so much more.
    • Long lasting: Always keep a batch on hand in the fridge, since they'll last for weeks. Pickled onions are an easy way to jazz up weekday meals.

    Recipe video

    What a step-by-step video on how to make these quick pickled onions!

    Ingredients (and substitutes)

    Here's what you need for this quick pickled onions recipe. It's just 5 ingredients!

    Ingredients to make quick pickled red onions and jalapenos.
    • Red onion: You'll want one thinly sliced onion for this recipe. Use a mandolin if you have one. Otherwise, use a sharp knife and cut the onion as thin as you can.
    • Jalapenos (optional): If you like things a bit spicy, add jalapenos to the pickling brine too. This way you get more variety for the same amount of work.
    • Apple cider vinegar: The mild, slightly fruity flavor of apple cider vinegar pairs well with quick pickled vegetables. But, you could substitute rice vinegar instead. If you can't find rice vinegar, use white wine vinegar.
    • Hot water: We use boiling water from a kettle. It works just as well, and there's no need to dirty a pot!
    • Sugar and salt: Sugar and salt balance out the flavors and acidity in the pickling liquid. The salt also softens the onions. You don't need much—a little goes a long way!

    Find the recipe card below for the complete recipe, including all ingredients and instructions.

    How to make (step-by-step photos)

    It's so easy to make these no cook pickled onions and jalapenos. Here's how:

    Pouring boiling water into a jar with sugar and salt for quick pickling.
    1. Add sugar, salt, and hot water to a jar. Stir until dissolved.
    Adding apple cider vinegar to a glass jar for pickling brine.
    2. Add apple cider vinegar. Stir to mix.
    Thinly sliced red onions and jalapenos in quick pickling brine.
    3. Add thinly sliced red onions and jalapenos.
    Quick pickled red onions and jalapenos in a glass jar.
    4. Let sit to cool and marinate, then refrigerate.

    Find the recipe card below for the complete recipe, including all ingredients and instructions.

    How to use pickled onions

    Here are some of our favorite ways to use pickled red onions and jalapenos. They go with almost anything!

    • Tacos: Scatter them on Smoky Mushroom Tacos or Crispy Avocado Tacos.
    • Burgers: Instead of raw onions, use quick pickled red onions in Veggie Burgers.
    • Nachos: Top your nachos with pickled jalapenos and onions. These Pulled "Pork" Veggie Nachos are a crowd pleaser. Or try Cauliflower Nachos for a lighter twist.
    • Salads: Adds some zing to grain salads, couscous salads, or even Greek Cucumber Salad.
    • Wraps: Delicious tucked into wraps like these Vegan Gyros with Seitan.
    • Bowls: Add them to rice bowls or grain bowls with falafel.
    • Chili: Elevate your chili or soups with a pickled red onion and jalapeno garnish.
    Quick pickled red onions being added to Smoky Mushroom Tacos with vegan guacamole.
    Smoky Mushroom Tacos with Vegan Guacamole and Quick Pickled Red Onions.

    Tips

    • Slice the onion evenly: Do your best to cut the onions as evenly as possible. This way, they'll take the same amount of time to pickle and soften.
    • Thinner onions will pickle faster: If you're in a hurry to use the pickled onions, cut them as thin as possible. A mandolin or even a food processor can make quick work of it. Or, just use a sharp chef's knife and slice the onion as thin as you can.
    • Temper your glass jars: You should use heatproof containers, like Mason jars or Pyrex. We recommend tempering the glass before, even though they are rated for high heat. You can temper the containers by running them under hot tap water before using. By gently warming the glass you can prevent cracking. While cracking is uncommon, it can happen. In our experience, this is more likely to occur with old containers or ones that have minor damage already (which may not be visible to the eye).
    • Keep for up to 2 weeks: Unlike canning, quick pickling is considered a short-term preservation technique. While some people keep quick pickles for longer, most food safety sources recommend using within 2 weeks (see here and here).
    Jar of easy quick pickled red onions with jalapenos
    Red onions and jalapenos in quick pickling brine before marinating.
    An open glass jar of quick pickled red onions.
    Quick pickled red onions after marinating—ready to eat!

    Recipe FAQs

    How do you pickle something quickly?

    To speed up the pickling process, cut the onions as thin as possible. Let them marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes (up to 1 hour), then transfer to the fridge. If you use razor-thin slices of onions, they should be ready to eat within 30 minutes (potentially even sooner).

    How to make spicy pickled onions?

    You can make spicy pickled onions by adding jalapeno peppers to the brine. Our recipe recommends 1 to 2 jalapeno peppers, which yields a very mild heat. (The acidity of the brine tempers the "bite" of the onions and peppers). If you like things spicier, add more peppers to taste.

    How long do quick pickled onions last?

    Quick pickled onions are good for about 2 weeks in the fridge.

    Quick pickled red onions in a glass mason jar.

    Other quick pickled recipes:

    • Pickled red cabbage in a jar on the counter
      Quick Pickled Red Cabbage
    • Plate of pickled green beans and peppers on a table with sparkling water on the side
      Quick Pickled Green Beans

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 review below!

    📖 Recipe

    Quick Pickled Onions (No Cook)

    These easy Quick Pickled Onions with jalapenos (optional) elevate almost any dish. All you need is 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to make this delicious garnish. Use on tacos, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, bowls...the options are endless! (Vegan, Gluten Free).
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes minutes
    Servings 8
    Author: Bri
    Pin Recipe
    Quick pickled onions in a glass jar with a fork.
    Print

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons cane sugar (or granulated sugar)
    • 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
    • ½ cup hot water (see note 1)
    • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
    • 1 red onion, thinly sliced (see note 2)
    • 1 to 2 jalapeno peppers, sliced (optional)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Make brine: Add sugar and salt to a large heatproof jar or container (see note 3). Pour in hot water and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add apple cider vinegar, stir to mix.
    • Combine: Submerge onions and jalapenos (if using) in the brine. (If you need more liquid, top it up with equal parts water and vinegar). Cover and let sit on the counter to cool (about 30 minutes). Use immediately or store in the fridge (see note 4 and 5).

    Notes

    1. Hot water tip: We find boiling kettle water to be the most convenient. But, you could also boil the water on the stovetop if you prefer.
    2. Red onions: The thinner the slices of onion, the faster they'll pickle. If you have a mandolin, use it. Otherwise, just slice the onion as thinly as possible. 
    3. Container: For 1x batch of this recipe, you'll need a 1 liter (4 cup) container, such as a mason jar or heatproof glass container like Pyrex. Alternatively, divide into multiple smaller containers. Before adding hot water to heatproof glass, we recommend "tempering" them by running them under hot tap water first. This helps prevent cracking (which is unlikely, but can happen).
    4. How to know when pickled red onions are ready to eat: Pickled red onions are best eaten when softened and light pink. The marinating time varies based on how thin/thick the slices are. If thinly sliced on a mandolin, you can enjoy quick pickled red onions in as little as 30 minutes. But they'll get tastier as they sit. 
    5. Storage tip: Keep refrigerated, and enjoy within 2 weeks.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 12kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.02g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.001g | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 19IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a rating below and tag us @evergreenkitchen on instagram!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Shawn says

      April 07, 2022 at 7:56 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe - easy, quick, and flavourful! We love having these waiting for us in the fridge!

      Reply
    2. Lex says

      April 07, 2022 at 3:02 am

      Best quick pickle onion recipe out there. So easy. So delish.

      Reply
      • bri says

        April 12, 2022 at 9:58 pm

        Yay so happy to hear that Lex! Thanks for taking the time to write in! We really appreciate reader reviews:)

        Reply
    3. Andrea says

      January 09, 2022 at 11:25 pm

      5 stars
      These are a great topping on just about anything! They're easy, delicious and keep well in the fridge!

      Reply
      • bri says

        January 18, 2022 at 7:01 pm

        Woohoo so glad you loved this recipe! We agree, pickled red onions ARE great on pretty much anything! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    4. Claire says

      January 09, 2022 at 6:11 am

      5 stars
      My wife and I absolutely love this recipe of yours! These pickled onions are just so dang easy and go well with just about anything! Charcuterie board, ramen, fried rice, egg on toast..we always find ourselves reaching for these! They are so delicious. Thank you!!

      Reply
      • bri says

        January 09, 2022 at 10:44 pm

        So happy to hear that Claire! We haven't tried them on fried rice yet, but that's such a great idea. We're going to do that the next time we have leftover rice:) Thanks for sharing!

        Reply

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