The Best Easy Mason Jar Red Pickled Onions

Pickled onions are easy to make and require only 5 basic ingredients. Now you’ll have crunchy, tangy, and tasty onions in your fridge to add to any dish. Healthy, plant-based, and made with no processed ingredients, this quick pickled red onion recipe will be a staple in your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Quick Pickled Red Onion Recipe

A delicious addition: These pickled onions are a great way to add more flavor and finish off a dish. Simply top them on literally any dish, and you will taste the crunch.

Made with simple ingredients: You most likely have these simple 5 ingredients in your kitchen. It’s as simple as recipes get. Trust me, run to your kitchen, grab the ingredients, and enjoy this basic recipe within an hour.

It will last a while: There’s nothing more worthwhile than making a jar of pickled onions to use on several dishes over several weeks. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving. 

They are healthy: To me, the best part about making my own food at home is that ts automatically (or at least usually) means more healthy. You won’t find bad seed oils, processed ingredients, or white sugar in this recipe.

A great family recipe: I am sure your children are like mine and can’t stand the smell of onions let alone the strong and bitter taste. Fortunately, pickling the onions can bring out the sweetness and saltiness of the onions. Hopefully, your kids will start to enjoy onions from now on. 

How to Serve Pickled Red Onions

These red pickled onions are perfect on all of your favorite dishes. But, here are a few ideas to get you started.

On salads: One of my favorite ways to enjoy pickled onions is over a bed of greens. It brings such a wonderful crunch and tanginess to my salads.

On tacos: Taco Tuesday has never tasted so good with the addition of delicious pickled onions. Watch as your tacos and burritos are transformed.

On sandwiches: I am a sucker for a thick, layered sandwich. Give me all of the pickled onions and I’ll be set. Am I right?

On avocado toast: Topping a piece of toast with avocado, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and pickled onions is truly one of the best snacks out there.

On burgers: I love veggie burgers with pickled onions and avocado. One of the greatest combinations ever.

Are Pickled Onions Healthy?

Red onions alone are a nutrient-dense vegetable that should be part of a healthy diet. They are rich in folate and Vitamin B6 which can assist in lowering cardiovascular issues and the likelihood of a stroke.

Pickled onions are great for gut health and digestion, as well. The fermentation process produces probiotics contributing to a happy gut. They are also high in fiber which can help regulate digestion.

Pickled Onion Tips

Thinly sliced onions: This is the key to the quick part of this recipe. The thinner you slice the onion, the quicker they will pickle. I like to use a mandoline to assist in the perfect cut. 

High-quality vinegar: The vinegar you use for these picked onions can make all of the difference when it comes to the best flavor. Choose a high-quality vinegar when purchasing your ingredients.

Perfect produce: Look for round and healthy-looking red onions that do not have sprouting, dried-out edges, firm and unbruised. Try to grab onions that are fully covered in their skin.

Wholesome ingredients: You can see in this recipe we swap out the processed and stripped white sugar for coconut sugar. That’s because there is already white sugar in so much of our food, so why add more?

​Other Ingredient Additions

While this pickled onion recipe is really tasty, you can add to it for additional added flavor. Here are some other ingredients you may want to try.

Bell pepper flakes: If you are into a little spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your hot water and let them sit for a minute before pouring it into the mason jar.

Fresh herbs: Throw in your favorite fresh herbs and watch the flavor transform. Some of my favorites include chopped basil, mint, thyme, or parsley. 

Spices: You can use your favorite spice to amp up the flavor. Some ideas are garlic powder, dried oregano, black peppercorns bay leaf, or sumac.

Garlic cloves: All you need is one fresh garlic clove, cut in half, and add it to the mason jar. 

Ingredients for Pickled Red Onions

Red onions: Grab a large red onion or two medium onions. You can certainly use white onions or yellow onions instead. I do prefer red, however. 

Coconut sugar: I recommend sticking to this natural sugar ingredient, pure maple syrup, or honey. White cane sugar is no bueno for our health. Why ruin something good, in my opinion?

Vinegar: You will use a combination of white vinegar and apple cider vinegar for this recipe. You can swap the apple cider vinegar for red wine vinegar if you prefer.

Hot water: Use hot water to help the coconut sugar dissolve. 

Sea salt: Finish them off with a little sea salt because all great things have a little bit of salt.

How to Make Mason Jar Pickled Red Onions?

​Step one: Peel your red onions. Grab a sharp knife and cut the onion in half, widthwise. Next, thinly slice the red onions. 

Step two: Place the water in a microwavable bowl and heat it in the microwave for about 1 minute and 15 seconds. 

Step three: Add the coconut sugar to the bottom of a 16oz-24oz wide-mouth mason jar. Add the rest of the ingredients in this order: sliced red onions, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, salt, and lastly, add the hot water. The goal is to completely cover the onions with liquid, to the very top of the mason jar. Add additional hot water as needed.

Step four: Secure the lid and give it a good shake until the coconut sugar has dissolved. 

Step five: Place the jar of onions into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes however I prefer the flavor after marinating overnight. In other words, I recommend preparing them the night before.

You can find the full recipe with detailed instructions below. And, don’t forget to comment and rate the recipe once you make them. I can’t wait to hear all about it. Trust me, you’ll dig them.

Tips + Modifications

​While technically you can eat them after only 30 minutes of marinating, the longer the marinating, the more flavor they produce. Therefore, I recommend making them the night before wanting to use them. 

​The type of vinegar you use will impact the end flavor result. I recommend sticking with white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or red wine vinegar. 

Make sure that your water is hot. Cold water or lukewarm water will not work to dissolve the coconut sugar.

How Long Will Pickled Onions Last?

Pickled onions can last 2-3 weeks in the fridge. Just make sure they stay in a mason jar or any airtight glass container. 

Pickled Onion Recipes

Check out some of my favorite ways to enjoy pickled onions.

These Plant-Based Chickpea and Kale Wraps with Tahini Sauce are delicious and easy to make for lunch. There is no doubt they will become your new go-to recipe. Make them in ten minutes and feel great after enjoying these healthy and filling wraps.

Spring is the season of new beginnings and fresh flavors, and what better way to celebrate the arrival of this vibrant season than with a delicious and nutritious spring vegetable salad with fresh mint dressing? Packed with an array of colorful vegetables, this Spring Vegetable Salad with Fresh Mint Dressing is a feast for the eyes and taste buds. 

Enjoy!

XOXO

Michelle