Description
Tangy Mexican Pickled Onions bring zesty flavor to countless dishes, elevating simple meals with their bright purple crunch. Crisp and versatile, these quick-pickled onions add a bold punch of acidity that makes you crave more with each bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 1 medium red onion, very thinly sliced
Vinegars:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar or additional white vinegar
Seasonings and Sweeteners:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Carefully slice red onions into translucent, uniform rings using a sharp knife.
- Sterilize a glass jar by washing thoroughly with hot, soapy water and drying completely.
- Tightly pack the sliced onions into the prepared jar, ensuring minimal air pockets.
- In a saucepan, combine water, vinegars, sweetener, salt, and red pepper flakes, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Carefully pour the hot brine over the onions, ensuring complete coverage and leaving minimal headspace.
- Use a clean utensil to press down the onions, releasing any trapped air bubbles and guaranteeing full immersion.
- Allow the jar to cool at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes, letting the flavors begin to meld.
- Securely seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid and transfer to the refrigerator.
- Let the pickled onions rest and develop flavor for 24-48 hours before consuming, allowing the brine to thoroughly infuse the onions with tangy, spicy notes.
Notes
- Choose red or white onions for vibrant color and crisp texture in your pickled onions.
- Slice onions uniformly thin using a sharp knife or mandoline for consistent pickling and better absorption of flavors.
- Experiment with different vinegar combinations like apple cider and white vinegar for unique tangy profiles.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control heat level, making the pickled onions mild or spicy according to personal preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Pickling
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 38 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg