Pickled red onions are a fantastic condiment to have on hand. They offer a burst of tangy, slightly sweet, and vibrant flavor that can elevate a wide variety of dishes. Whether you're following a keto, Whole30, or simply looking for a delicious way to add some zing to your meals, this recipe is a must-try.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Flavor Explosion: Pickled red onions boast a delightful balance of sweet, sour, and salty notes.
- Versatile: They complement a variety of dishes, from salads and protein bowls to tacos, eggs, and more.
- Easy to Make: This recipe requires minimal prep time and no cooking.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the flavor profile by adding different spices, herbs, or sweeteners.
- Long-Lasting: These pickled onions can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
- Diet-Friendly: This recipe can be easily adapted to be keto, Whole30, paleo, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
The History of My Pickled Onion Obsession
My love for pickled red onions began about 10 years ago at a small restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio. The chefs there claimed to have the best pulled pork tacos in town, and they were right! The secret ingredient? Pickled red onions. Their zingy acidity cut through the richness of the pulled pork, creating a flavor explosion that was simply irresistible.
During my Craveable Keto book tour, I frequented Whole Foods salad bars. I noticed that almost every location had pickled onions, and I piled them on my salads. However, I discovered that they contained sugar.
That's why I created this recipe, which allows you to enjoy the tangy goodness of pickled red onions without the added sugar. I think the reason I love these whole30 pickled red onions so much is that they have the perfect balance of bitterness from the red onion, sweetness from the erythritol, and acidity from the vinegars. When you put those three things together, you have a match made in heaven.
Are Pickled Red Onions Keto-Friendly?
Yes! This recipe yields just 1g net carbs per serving. While onions do contain some carbs, we only use them as a garnish, so a little goes a long way. Moderation is key, and these onions add a punch of flavor without significantly impacting your carb count.
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Health Benefits of Pickled Red Onions
In addition to their delicious flavor, pickled red onions offer several health benefits:
- Low in Calories: Red onions are naturally low in calories.
- Rich in Nutrients: They contain essential nutrients like vitamin C.
- Prebiotics: Pickled onions provide some prebiotics, which are beneficial for gut health.
It’s important to note that this recipe includes salt and an optional keto-friendly sweetener.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
Here's a breakdown of the ingredients you'll need and some possible substitutions:
- Red Onion: The star of the show! Red onions have a milder, sweeter flavor compared to white or yellow onions, and they provide a vibrant pink color. You can slice or dice the onions to your preference. Regular onions or shallots can be pickled instead, but red onions offer the best flavor and color.
- Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is my go-to choice for its soft, fruity edge. You can also use red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, rice vinegar, or sherry vinegar. Avoid balsamic vinegar for this particular recipe.
- Water: Balances the acidity of the vinegar.
- Salt: Seasons the onions and helps preserve them. I recommend using kosher salt or sea salt.
- Optional Keto-Friendly Sweetener: Erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit sweetener can be used to cut the edge off the vinegar without adding carbs.
- Optional Flavor Boosters: Get creative with black peppercorns, pepper flakes, a clove of garlic, whole coriander seeds, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, a bay leaf, or fresh herbs.
Step-by-Step Instructions for No-Cook Pickled Red Onions
This recipe is incredibly simple and requires no cooking!
Cooking Method
No-cook recipe
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Preparation Steps
- Gather all the tools and ingredients for this recipe.
- Thinly slice red onion.
Instructions
- Thinly slice your red onion into rings or half-moons, your choice. A steady hand and a sharp chef’s knife will work to slice the red onions pretty thin. But if you want them really thin and uniform, then a mandolin slicer is the way to go.
- In a bowl, mix the vinegar, water, and salt. Optionally, add spices or sweeteners.
- In a large bowl, combine the hot water, vinegar, sugar (if using), salt, and peppercorns. Add the sliced onions to the bowl of liquid and stir gently. Press down on the sliced onions so they’re submerged in the liquid.
- Let the jar sit on the counter for 1 hour, cap and then refrigerate.
- Set aside the onions to rest on the counter at room temperature for 1 hour before serving or transferring the onions and liquid to a jar or small covered container to the fridge for longer storage.
Pro Tips
- Use fresh, crisp onions for the best results.
- Slice the onions uniformly for even pickling.
- Choose your vinegar wisely to achieve the desired flavor profile.
- Taste and adjust the flavor after a few hours, especially if it's your first time making this recipe.
Variations and Flavor Combinations
Get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations! Here are some ideas:
- Mexican-Inspired: Add cumin seeds, dried oregano, or red pepper flakes for a more authentic take on Escabeche de Cebolla.
- Spicy: Include whole hot chilis (crushed slightly to speed up the pickling process) or red pepper flakes.
- Garlicky: Add 1 or 2 smashed garlic cloves for a rich, complex flavor.
- Herby: Infuse the onions with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano.
Serving Suggestions
Pickled red onions are incredibly versatile and can be used to enhance a wide variety of dishes. Here are some ideas:
- Salads: Add a tangy twist to green salads, keto taco salads, or low-carb Caesar salads.
- Tacos and Wraps: Top keto shredded chicken tacos, low-carb beef tostadas, or low-carb pulled pork quesadillas with pickled red onions.
- Bowls: Garnish keto pulled pork cauliflower rice bowls or low-carb spicy beef lettuce wraps with pickled red onions.
- Sandwiches and Toast: Elevate avocado toast or breakfast sandwiches with a few slices of pickled red onion.
- Meat Dishes: Serve pickled red onions with grilled chicken, pork chops, steak, or crispy pork belly.
- Charcuterie Boards: Add a jar of pickled red onions to your charcuterie board for a tangy and colorful element.
Storing Your Pickled Red Onions
Store your homemade pickled red onions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Always use a clean utensil to keep things hygienic and prolong their shelf life.
Freezing pickled onions is not recommended, as the texture is likely to change and become mushy once thawed.
Why Do Pickled Red Onions Turn Pink?
Red onions contain anthocyanin antioxidants, which react with the acidity of the vinegar-based liquid, causing them to turn a more vibrant pink color.
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Can Pickled Red Onions Turn Blue?
In rare cases, pickled red onions can turn a deep purple or even slightly blue. This is a harmless result of the chemical reaction between the natural pigments in the red onion and the acidic environment of the pickling liquid.
Are Quick Pickled Onions a Good Source of Probiotics?
Quick pickled foods are not a high source of probiotics because of the vinegar-based brine they are made in. Health-promoting probiotic foods require the process of lactofermentation in order for probiotics to live.