Artificial Food Coloring Free Quick Apple Cider Pickled Onions
Pickled onions are one of those condiments that make everything they touch taste more exciting — tacos, grain bowls, sandwiches, cheese boards, you name it. The problem with store-bought versions is that the vivid color often comes from added dyes rather than anything natural, which makes label-reading a frustrating chore. This recipe gets its gorgeous deep pink hue entirely from the red onion itself, with zero synthetic colorants in sight. Apple cider vinegar brings a mellow, slightly fruity tang, while fresh ginger and a pinch of turmeric add warmth and depth that you just won't find in a jar off the shelf. Honey rounds out the brine with a gentle sweetness that keeps the whole thing balanced rather than sharp. The process is genuinely quick — a few minutes on the stovetop, a short rest on the counter, and then the fridge does the rest of the work. Keep a jar on hand and you'll find yourself reaching for it constantly.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 1 large red onion, very thinly sliced into rings
- ¾ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
Instructions
- 1
Pack the sliced red onion rings into a clean 16 oz glass jar, pressing them down gently so they fit snugly.
- 2
Combine the apple cider vinegar, water, honey, fine sea salt, grated ginger, and turmeric in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the honey and salt are fully dissolved, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat.
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