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Quick Pickled Onions (Ready in 15 Minutes!)

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 medium red onion thinly sliced
  • ½ cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup hot water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Optional Flavor Add-Ins

  • 1 garlic clove
  • Peppercorns
  • Chili flakes
  • Lemon slice
  • Pinch of sumac

These extras are completely optional but can add an extra layer of flavor.

Instructions

Slice the onion

  • Thinly slice the red onion and pack it into a clean jar. A small jam jar works perfectly.

Make the brine

  • In a bowl, whisk together the hot water, vinegar, sugar, and salt until the sugar and salt dissolve.

Pour over onions

  • Pour the brine over the onions until they are fully covered.

Add optional flavors

  • If using garlic, peppercorns, chili flakes, lemon, or sumac, add them now.

Let them pickle

  • Let the onions sit for 10–15 minutes.

They’re ready to use right away, but the flavor improves after a few hours in the fridge.