Paraben Free Orange-Garlic Quick-Pickled Red Onions
Bright, tangy, and just a little sweet, these quick-pickled red onions are the kind of condiment that makes everything they touch taste more alive. The brine is built from apple cider vinegar, fresh orange juice, and honey — all whole, recognizable ingredients with no synthetic preservatives or additives that can be tricky to avoid when grabbing a jar off a grocery shelf. Smashed garlic, sliced ginger, and a strip of orange zest steep right into the warm liquid, layering in flavor that tastes like it took far more effort than it actually did. The whole process happens in a single saucepan and one glass jar, and within about 45 minutes at room temperature you'll already see those onions turn a gorgeous deep pink. A pinch of turmeric adds a subtle earthiness and a golden hue to the brine if you want to take it even further. Pile them onto tacos, grain bowls, sandwiches, or eggs — honestly, it's hard to think of a savory dish that wouldn't benefit from a forkful of these.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 1 medium red onion, very thinly sliced into half-moons
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice (from about 1 medium orange)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly smashed
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 strip orange zest (about 2 inches long), pith removed
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Pack the sliced red onions into a clean 16 oz glass jar, pressing them down gently so they fit snugly.
- 2
Combine the apple cider vinegar, orange juice, water, honey, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the honey and salt are fully dissolved, about 2–3 minutes. Do not boil.
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