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    Home » Recipes » Condiments

    Spicy Pickled Onions (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free)

    Published: Apr 24, 2020 · Modified: May 2, 2020 by Kristen Wood - This post may contain affiliate links.

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    pinterest pin pickled red onions
    a pinterest pin for pickled onions

    Super easy and flavorful Spicy Pickled Onions make a great addition to your favorite dishes! Naturally gluten-free and vegan. Refined sugar-free, too!

    a side shot of a jar filled with pickled red onions

    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.

    flatlay of ingredients needs to make pickled onions
    Table Of Contents
    • Pickled Onions
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make
    • Tips + Substitutions
      • Slicing
      • Onions
      • Vinegar
      • Sugar
      • Spices
      • Storage
    • More Gut Friendly Recipes
    an open jar of pickled red onions

    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.
    a cutting board with a jar of pickled onions sitting on it
    an open jar of red pickled onions with a fork stuck in

    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.

    sliced onion resting on a cutting board
    an open jar of pickled red onion ingredients
    an open jar of pickled red onions resting a wooden cutting board

    How to Make

    1. Add sliced onions, garlic, peppercorns and red chili flakes to a clean jar.
    2. On the stovetop, warm vinegar, water, salt and sugar until all is dissolved.
    3. Pour the vinegar mixture over the onions in the jar. Gently press the onions to ensure they are covered.
    4. Let come to room temperature then place the lid on the jar and keep stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
    an array of pickled onion ingredients resting on a dining table and cutting board
    an open jar of pickled onions top view

    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.

    an open jar of pickled onions with a fork stuck in

    More Gut Friendly Recipes

    Herbal Healing Broth with Medicinal Mushrooms

    Pickled Green Tomatoes

    Easy Spicy Golden Sauerkraut

    Fermented Habanero Hot Sauce

    Easy Spicy Refrigerator Pickles Recipe

    Easy Spicy Fermented Bell Pepper Salsa

    a close up view of a clear jar filled with pickled red onions
    close view of a fork topped with pickled onions

    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

    a side shot of a jar filled with pickled red onions

    Spicy Pickled Onions

    Super easy and flavorful Spicy Pickled Onions make a great addition to your favorite dishes! Naturally gluten-free and vegan. Refined sugar-free, too!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Condiments, Sides
    Cuisine: American, British, Mexican
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 10 servings
    Author: Kristen Wood

    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
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    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.

    Notes

    Please refer to the TIPS section above in the post for valuable information.
    Check out our August Produce Guide!
    Also see: Pickled Cabbage

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 14kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Sodium: 272mg | Sugar: 2g

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    Have you tried this recipe?Please Rate + Comment Below!
    Mention on Instagram!@moon.and.spoon.and.yum

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joni says

      January 29, 2022 at 11:18 am

      Can you can these to keep longer?

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        January 29, 2022 at 11:24 am

        Yes, you most definitely can!

        Reply
    2. Bonnie says

      August 18, 2021 at 6:08 am

      This looks great! Has anyone tried using monkfruit? Also, are they ready to eat in 24 hours or should I give them more time?

      Reply
    3. Sherri says

      May 16, 2021 at 12:32 pm

      I'm wondering if liquid sweetener would work just as well as granulated. It's what I usually have on hand. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        May 16, 2021 at 12:53 pm

        Yes! It works just as well. 🙂

        Reply
        • Sherri says

          May 16, 2021 at 7:54 pm

          Thanks!!

          Reply
    4. evZENy says

      May 06, 2020 at 1:10 pm

      5 stars
      Will be working on fermented onion, but this is a good and quicker start to have some in the meantime.

      Reply
    5. Daniela says

      April 27, 2020 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars
      I cannot wait to try this! I have everything but red onion so I'm getting it on my next outing!!

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        April 27, 2020 at 11:02 pm

        Thank you so much, my friend! 🙂

        Reply

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    kristen wood

    About Kristen Wood

    Hi, I'm Kristen! A mama, food writer, photographer, recipe developer, and cookbook author. I enjoy sharing both wildly creative and ridiculously practical gluten-free vegetarian recipes that are approachable for all. Welcome!

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