Vegetarian Orange-Garlic Quick-Pickled Red Onions
Tangy, jewel-bright, and packed with flavor, these quick-pickled red onions are the kind of condiment that makes everything they touch taste more exciting. The brine gets a citrusy lift from fresh orange juice and a strip of zest, balanced by apple cider vinegar, honey, and a gentle warmth from fresh ginger — it's a combination that goes way beyond the standard pickle. Smashed garlic cloves steep right in the jar alongside the onions, adding a savory depth that rounds out all that brightness. A pinch of turmeric gives the finished product a gorgeous golden blush layered into that deep pink, making the jar almost too pretty to put away. There's no boiling required and no complicated canning process — just a warm brine poured over thinly sliced onions, and about 45 minutes later you have something that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant. Pile them onto tacos, grain bowls, sandwiches, or cheese boards, and watch them disappear faster than you expected.
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!