Description
Pickled white onions bring zesty Mexican magic to countless dishes, adding tangy brightness and crisp texture. Quick and simple to prepare, these vibrant condiments will elevate sandwiches, tacos, salads, and more with their bold, refreshing flavor profile.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 large white onions
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
Seasonings:
- 2 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
Optional Aromatics:
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 2 whole garlic cloves
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash and peel the white onions, then slice them into thin, uniform rings using a sharp knife, ensuring consistent thickness for even pickling.
- Sterilize a clean glass jar by washing it with hot, soapy water and rinsing thoroughly, or running it through a dishwasher cycle to eliminate any potential bacteria.
- In a medium saucepan, combine white vinegar, water, salt, and sugar, whisking until the salt and sugar completely dissolve and create a clear pickling brine.
- Add black peppercorns, bay leaves, fresh thyme sprig, and whole garlic cloves to the brine, allowing the aromatics to infuse and enhance the pickling liquid’s flavor profile.
- Bring the pickling mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated and the seasonings are fully dissolved.
- Carefully arrange the sliced onion rings inside the sterilized jar, creating compact but not overly compressed layers.
- Pour the hot pickling liquid directly over the onions, ensuring they are completely submerged and covered by the aromatic brine.
- Allow the pickled onions to cool to room temperature for approximately 30 minutes, then seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Refrigerate the pickled onions for at least 1 hour before serving, though they develop a more intense flavor if left overnight, with a recommended storage time of up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Slice onions uniformly to ensure consistent pickling and texture throughout the jar, preventing some pieces from becoming too soft or remaining too crunchy.
- Use white vinegar with at least 5% acidity to guarantee proper preservation and create that classic tangy pickled flavor that complements various dishes.
- For a lower-sodium version, reduce salt content by half and replace some vinegar with apple cider vinegar, which adds a subtle fruity undertone while maintaining preservation qualities.
- Experiment with additional spices like mustard seeds, red pepper flakes, or coriander seeds to customize the flavor profile and create a unique pickled onion experience that suits your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Pickling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 575 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg