MSG Free Classic Pickled Red Onions
Tangy, jewel-bright, and impossibly versatile, these pickled red onions are the kind of condiment that makes everything they touch taste more alive. A sharp brine of apple cider vinegar, a touch of sugar, and kosher salt transforms raw onion slices into something silky, vibrant, and deeply flavorful in under an hour. Store-bought pickled onions and condiments can be a minefield for anyone avoiding flavor enhancers, with additives tucked into ingredient lists where you'd least expect them — making a homemade version like this one genuinely worth the minimal effort. Every single ingredient here is clean and straightforward, so you know exactly what's going into the jar. The optional red pepper flakes add a gentle kick, but even the base recipe delivers serious complexity thanks to the peppercorns and that bright vinegar punch. Pile them onto tacos, grain bowls, sandwiches, or grilled meats, and watch them disappear faster than you made them.
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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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