It’s been 5 weeks since I’ve been to an actual grocery store. I love to go to the store to see what new products there are and simply just to be around food (I know, call me crazy!) Today, that was not the case. In and out and arrows to make sure you’re going in the right direction! I’m all for social distancing and making sure we’re not near people, however, I’m hoping to be able to go back to my store and my hobby. Enter pickled red onions.
I wrote a list and I knew what I needed. For the most part the store was stocked with most things. Water, bleach, and toilet paper still had signs to “only take 2” The only item I wasn’t able to get from my list, baking powder. Call me crazy, but I do think people are baking up a storm!! That’ll teach me not to have a back-up baking powder from now on!
In full disclosure, I have been receiving a weekly meal delivery that I pay for and cook on my own as well as a produce box. So that has helped me go as long as the 5 weeks without having to go to the store, as well as freezing some of my milk & cheese YES, you can freeze milk and hard cheeses! However, I had also used up most of my pantry staples and was getting to the point where I needed water. Today was a day for essentials and a few extra fresh fruits and veggies for this first week after a haul.
Staples for me include a long list of condiments: red wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, soy sauce, and more! I’ve never gauged before to see how long different condiments last, but red wine vinegar is a definite staple for my pickled red onions. You’re probably thinking, pickled red onions? Why is that even important? Pickled red onions are a great addition to almost any meal. Pinky promise!
Raw onions are too harsh and bitter. I love cooked, sautéed onions, that get caramelized a lot. While I had seen pickled red onions around I had never tried them. That is until I stumbled on a version from America’s Test Kitchen and the rest is history. Pickled red onions are almost a weekly staple in my house. In my produce box they’ve been sending red onions each week, however, in the last 2 weeks I ran out of red wine vinegar. Important to have a back-up when possible since you’ll always want to be able to make these pickled red onions.
Cucumbers are actually not “pickles”. Pickling in effect is preserving or steeping in brine. While I only do a quick brine, if the red onions were to stay in the brine for longer they would eventually go on to ferment and create really good bacteria. This recipe for Quick Pickled Onions will not only change your life forever but also will up your dinner game. Give ‘em a try and let me know. Making some butternut squash, poblano pepper tacos. Most definitely will be adding pickled red onions.
Pickled Red Onions
Quick Pickled Red Onions. The condiment you NEED to add to your repertoire. Add them to tacos, sandwiches, burgers, you name it! They are a great addition to any meal!
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
- 1 red onion, halved and sliced thin
- 1 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/8 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Slice the onion and place it in a bowl.
- Simmer the vinegar, sugar, and salt over medium-high heat in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves.
- Pour vinegar mixture over onion, cover, and let cool completely, about 1 hour.
- Drain cooled vegetables in colander. (Pickled onions can be refrigerated for up to 1 week; onions will turn harsh after 1 week).
Notes
*I’ve added jalapeños to the brine and it makes the onions have a little bit of bite – add one for just a little bit of bite, or two for a lot of bite!
*As I’ve said, these pickled onions can be added to just about anything that you want to have a little bit of crunch – a sandwich, a burger, tacos, salads, really the sky is the limit. They are my go-to add-on for a little bit of tangy flavor that makes the dish just pop with flavor! Let me know if you give them a try!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Condiments
2 thoughts on “Pickled Red Onions”
Staple in my fridge all the time. They’re just so simple to make not to mention add to everything!
Seriously the best condiment EVER!