Super easy and flavorful Spicy Pickled Onions make a great addition to your favorite dishes! Naturally gluten-free and vegan. Refined sugar-free, too!
I'm kind of a condiment freak. I like to have all the options when it comes to topping and dressing my food, and more often than not, those items are spicy. Enter these Spicy Pickled Red Onions! They are not only super easy to make, they are well worth the effort for the pop of flavor, color and texture they add to your favorite dishes.
Pickled Onions
These beauties are:
- Super quick and easy to make.
- Packed with bold, tangy, spicy flavor.
- Versatile and can be enjoyed on a variety of dishes.
- Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and refined sugar-free.
Ingredients
- Red onion.
- Apple cider vinegar.
- Coconut sugar.
- Sea salt or pink salt.
- Garlic.
- Peppercorns and red chili flakes.
- Water.
Please note: full recipe amounts and instructions can be found in the recipe card towards the bottom of the post.
How to Make
- Add sliced onions, garlic, peppercorns and red chili flakes to a clean jar.
- On the stovetop, warm vinegar, water, salt and sugar until all is dissolved.
- Pour the vinegar mixture over the onions in the jar. Gently press the onions to ensure they are covered.
- Let come to room temperature then place the lid on the jar and keep stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Tips + Substitutions
Slicing
You can slice your onion as thinly or as thickly as you would like. Slicing it thinly results in a more tender bite of pickled onion, whereas slicing the onion into thick slices results in bolder splash of flavor in each bite.
Onions
You can use red, white or yellow onions (or even just garlic if that suits your fancy!). However, red onion adds a extra dose of flavor and color!
Vinegar
White vinegar can be used in place of apple cider vinegar if need be.
Sugar
I prefer the flavor and benefits of coconut sugar, but regular or raw cane sugar can be used instead for very similar results.
Spices
Did you find your way here but not you're not fond of spicy? Do not fret, the peppercorns and red chili flakes can simply be omitted from this recipe for still -super-tasty pickled onions!
Storage
Keep pickled red onions stored in the refrigerator throughout use for up to 2 1/2 weeks.
More Gut Friendly Recipes
Herbal Healing Broth with Medicinal Mushrooms
Easy Spicy Refrigerator Pickles Recipe
Easy Spicy Fermented Bell Pepper Salsa
If you try this recipe please let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, share this post, use Pinterest’s “tried it” feature, or take a photo, & tag me on Instagram and I’ll share it! Thank you so much! <3
Spicy Pickled Onions
Ingredients
- 1 red onion sliced
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon black or rainbow peppercorns
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt or pink salt
Instructions
- Add sliced onions, garlic, peppercorns and red chili flakes to a clean jar.
- On the stovetop, warm vinegar, water, salt and sugar until all is dissolved.
- Pour the vinegar mixture over the onions in the jar. Gently press the onions to ensure they are covered.
- Let come to room temperature then place the lid on the jar and keep stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Sherri says
I'm wondering if liquid sweetener would work just as well as granulated. It's what I usually have on hand. Thanks!
Kristen Wood says
Yes! It works just as well. 🙂
Sherri says
Thanks!!
evZENy says
Will be working on fermented onion, but this is a good and quicker start to have some in the meantime.
Daniela says
I cannot wait to try this! I have everything but red onion so I'm getting it on my next outing!!
Kristen Wood says
Thank you so much, my friend! 🙂