Easy steps to pickle onions at home

Pickled onions are a delicious addition to many meals and add a tangy crunch that can’t be beat. Making pickled onions is actually quite simple and requires few ingredients. With just a little bit of effort, you can have a jar of homemade pickled onions ready to go in no time.

To start, you’ll need onions, vinegar, sugar, and some spices to add flavor. You can use any type of onion you like, but red onions are a popular choice because of their vibrant color and slightly sweet taste. To make the pickling liquid, heat vinegar and sugar together until the sugar dissolves. Then add your chosen spices, such as peppercorns, bay leaves, or mustard seeds. Finally, pour the liquid over the onions in a jar and let it sit for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to infuse. With these simple steps, you can enjoy homemade pickled onions with meals any time you like.

Ingredients

When it comes to making pickled onions, the list of ingredients can be kept relatively simple with just a few basic items required.

Onions

The first and most important ingredient is, of course, the onions. You’ll want to use onions that have a firm texture and are preferably smaller in size, as they’ll be easier to handle and pickle evenly.

Vinegar

Next up is the vinegar. You can use any type of vinegar for pickling, but we recommend using white vinegar for a classic pickled onion flavor.

Sugar

To balance out the acidity of the vinegar, you’ll need to add a sweetener to the mix. Sugar works great and can be adjusted based on your personal preference.

Spices

To add depth and flavor to your pickled onions, you can experiment with different spices such as cloves, peppercorns, or bay leaves.

Water

While not technically an ingredient, water is required to dilute the vinegar and create the pickling liquid.

Mason Jar

You’ll also need a mason jar or other glass container with a tight-fitting lid to hold the pickled onions.

Knife and Cutting Board

To cut the onions, you’ll need a sharp knife and a cutting board.

Measuring Cups and Spoons

To ensure that you have the right measurements for the pickling liquid, you’ll want to have measuring cups and spoons on hand.

Bowl and Whisk

For preparing the pickling liquid, you’ll need a bowl and whisk to combine all the ingredients.

Directions

Now that you have your ingredients ready, it’s time to start pickling!

Step 1: Prepare the Onions

Start by peeling the onions and slicing them into small rings. You can do this by hand, or you can use a mandoline slicer for more even slices.

Step 2: Create the Pickling Liquid

Combine the vinegar, sugar, spices, and water in a bowl, and whisk until the sugar has dissolved.

Step 3: Add the Onions to the Pickling Liquid

Place the sliced onions into the mason jar, and pour the pickling liquid over the top until the onions are fully submerged.

Step 4: Let the Onions Pickle

Seal the jar tightly with the lid and shake it gently to distribute the ingredients. Place the jar in the refrigerator and let the onions pickle for at least 24 hours before serving.

Step 5: Enjoy Your Pickled Onions

Once the onions are ready, you can use them to add flavor to sandwiches, salads, tacos, or burgers. You can also enjoy them as a snack on their own.

Tips

Here are a few tips to help you make the perfect pickled onions:

Make Sure Onions are Completely Submerged

To ensure that the onions are evenly pickled, make sure they are fully submerged in the pickling liquid. If necessary, you can add more liquid to the jar.

Experiment with Flavors

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spices and sweeteners to create unique pickled onion flavors. Try adding garlic, cinnamon sticks, or honey to the mix.

Let Your Onions Pickle Longer

While 24 hours is the minimum amount of time required for pickling, you can let your onions pickle for longer to develop a more robust flavor.

Use Contamination-Free Tools

When preparing your pickled onions, it’s important to use clean and contamination-free tools to avoid any unwanted bacteria or germs in your pickling jar.

What You Will Need

When it comes to pickling onions, the first thing you’ll need to do is gather all the necessary ingredients and equipment. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:

Ingredients

• 1 pound of small onions
• 2 cups distilled white vinegar
• 2 cups water
• 3 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves

Equipment

• Large pot
• Canning jars with lids and rings
• Mandoline or sharp knife
• Slotted spoon
• Clean kitchen towels

Preparing the Onions

The first step in pickling onions is preparing them. This involves washing, peeling, and slicing the onions.

Washing the Onions

Start by washing the onions under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Make sure to use your hands to rub the onions gently to get into all the crevasses.

Peeling the Onions

Next, peel the onions by using a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler. It’s important to peel the outer layer of skin, so the pickling liquid can penetrate the onion and flavor it evenly.

Slicing the Onions

Slicing the onions is probably the most time-consuming part of the process. You can either use a mandoline or a sharp knife to slice the onions into thin, even slices. The thinner the slices, the faster they will pickle. Keep in mind that if the slices are too thin, they may fall apart during the pickling process.

Cooking the Pickling Liquid

Once you’ve prepared the onions, it’s time to start making the pickling liquid. This involves heating up the vinegar, water, salt, sugar, peppercorns, and bay leaves.

Mixing the Ingredients

In a large pot, mix the vinegar, water, salt, sugar, peppercorns, and bay leaves together. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and stir occasionally until the sugar and salt dissolve.

Simmering the Pickling Liquid

Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 10 minutes. This will infuse the flavors of the spices into the liquid.

Pickling the Onions

Now that the pickling liquid is ready, it’s time to pickle the onions. This involves boiling the sliced onions in the pickling liquid and then canning them in jars.

Boiling the Onions

Add the sliced onions to the pickling liquid and let them boil for about 1-2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the onions to a clean kitchen towel to drain.

Canning the Onions

Next, pack the onions into canning jars, leaving about an inch of headspace at the top. Pour the pickling liquid into the jars, making sure to cover the onions completely. Use a spatula to remove any air bubbles and wipe the rims of the jars clean. Place lids and rings on the jars, then process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Storing the Pickled Onions

Once the jars have cooled, check to make sure the lids have sealed. If they have, store the pickled onions in a cool, dark place for up to a year. If a jar hasn’t sealed properly, refrigerate it and use the onions within a few weeks.

Conclusion

Pickling onions is a great way to preserve them for later use. With the right ingredients and equipment, you can make delicious pickled onions at home that can be used in a variety of dishes. So, what are you waiting for? Give it a try and enjoy the flavors that pickled onions add to your meals!

5 Easy Steps to Make Perfect Pickled Onions

Making pickled onions is a simple and easy process that requires minimal ingredients and preparation. With this step-by-step guide, you can whip up perfect pickled onions in no time.

Here are the 5 easy steps to make perfect pickled onions:

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Before you start pickling, gather all the necessary ingredients. You will need:

Ensure that the onions are sliced uniformly and the peppercorns are crushed to release their flavor.

Step 2: Heat the Vinegar Solution

In a saucepan, heat the apple cider vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, peppercorns, and water over medium heat and stir until sugar and salt have dissolved. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let cool for five minutes.

Step 3: Add the Onions to the Vinegar Solution

Take a large, lidded jar and fill it with the thinly sliced onions. If you don’t have a jar, any container with a lid will suffice. Pour the slightly cooled vinegar solution over the onions and let it cool completely.

Step 4: Marinate the Onions

Place the jar in the refrigerator and marinate for at least 24 hours, or up to two weeks. The longer the onions marinate, the more flavorful they’ll be.

Step 5: Enjoy

Pickled onions are a versatile topping that can be used in salads, sandwiches, tacos, and burgers. Try them on a cheese board or as a condiment for a Bloody Mary.

In conclusion, making perfect pickled onions is a breeze if you follow these simple steps. So go ahead and give it a try today and take your dishes to the next level with their irresistible tangy flavor.

Thanks for joining me in the kitchen!

I hope my instructions on how to make pickled onions were easy to follow and inspire you to try making your own at home. Remember, pickled onions are a great addition to any meal and will definitely impress your friends and family. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and spices to create your own unique variation. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back for more delicious recipes!