Description
Zesty Mexican Pickled Red Onions bring tangy, colorful magic to your plate with minimal effort. Crisp, jewel-toned slices deliver bold flavor that elevates sandwiches, tacos, and salads while making you look like a culinary genius.
Ingredients
Scale
Produce:
- 2 medium red onions
- 1 clove garlic
Pickling Liquid:
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
Seasonings and Optional Spices:
- 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Peel and slice red onions into thin, uniform half-moons, ensuring even cuts for consistent pickling and texture.
- Crush garlic clove lightly to release aromatic oils without completely breaking it apart.
- In a clean glass jar, layer sliced onions and gently nestle crushed garlic between onion layers.
- Combine apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a saucepan, whisking until sugar and salt completely dissolve.
- Add black peppercorns, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes to the pickling liquid for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Bring liquid mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Carefully pour hot pickling liquid over onions in the jar, ensuring all onion slices are completely submerged.
- Allow mixture to cool at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, which helps onions soften and absorb flavors.
- Seal jar with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving, though flavor develops best after 24 hours.
- Pickled onions will remain fresh and crisp in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks when stored properly.
Notes
- Select firm, bright red onions with smooth skin for the best pickling results and vibrant color.
- Use apple cider vinegar for a slightly sweet, mellow tang that complements the onions’ natural sharpness.
- Experiment with different spice combinations like whole cloves, mustard seeds, or fresh thyme sprigs to customize flavor profile.
- Adjust sugar levels for a more tangy or sweeter pickle depending on personal preference or intended dish pairing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Pickling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 30
- Sugar: 2.5 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg