Almond Free Classic Pickled Red Onions
Tangy, jewel-bright, and impossibly easy to make, these pickled red onions are the kind of condiment that quietly transforms every meal they touch. A sharp apple cider vinegar brine with a touch of sugar and salt does all the heavy lifting, turning raw onion slices into something silky, vibrant, and deeply flavorful in under an hour. The optional red pepper flakes add a gentle kick that makes the whole jar feel a little more exciting. Every single ingredient here is straightforward pantry staple territory — no hidden additives, no processed blends, nothing to second-guess if you're navigating a nut-free kitchen. Store-bought pickled onions can be surprisingly tricky to vet, with shared facilities and vague labeling making even simple products feel risky. Making your own means you control exactly what goes into the jar, and the process genuinely couldn't be simpler. Pile them onto tacos, grain bowls, sandwiches, or grilled meats and watch them disappear faster than you expected.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 1 large red onion, very thinly sliced into rings or half-moons
- ¾ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black peppercorns
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Pack the sliced red onion into a clean 16 oz mason jar, pressing gently so the slices fit snugly without crushing them.
- 2
Combine the apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and kosher salt in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar and salt are fully dissolved, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat.
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