Pecan Free Orange-Garlic Quick-Pickled Red Onions
Quick-pickled red onions are one of those condiments that quietly transform everything they touch — tacos, grain bowls, sandwiches, roasted vegetables — and this version brings a citrusy, gently spiced twist that makes it genuinely hard to stop eating straight from the jar. The brine is built from apple cider vinegar, fresh orange juice, and a strip of orange zest, so the flavor is bright and a little floral rather than sharply acidic. Smashed garlic and sliced fresh ginger steep right in the warm liquid, adding depth without overpowering the natural sweetness of the onion. A touch of honey rounds everything out, and the optional turmeric gives the finished onions a gorgeous golden-pink hue that looks almost too pretty to use. The whole process is stovetop-simple — you heat the brine just enough to dissolve the honey and salt, pour it over tightly packed onion slices, and let time do the rest. No nuts, no nut-adjacent ingredients, no shared equipment concerns — just clean, punchy flavors from whole, easy-to-source pantry staples. Keep a jar in the fridge and you'll find yourself reaching for it constantly.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!