Onions are one of my most favorite vegetables on the planet. I like them anyway you prepare them. But one thing I dislike is the odor they leave behind in my clean dishwasher. On Saturday, with a nearly full dishwasher, I decided to make pickled onions. If you’ve never had them before, you are seriously missing out. My heart aches for you.
The Texan has a slight obsession with pickled onions since recently discovering them on a roast beef sandwich at a local sandwich counter. He would eat that sandwich every day, but eating out is pricey. Making a batch of pickled onions seemed like the simple solution.
You need a few basic ingredients, you probably have them all in your pantry today! Lucky you! You’ll be able to make this recipe right away and enjoy your pickled onions in about a half-hour. Awesome.
Put 2 cups of water in pan to boil on the stove and grab a few red onions. (Where I live, we call them Bermuda onions. Do you call them that, too?)
Slice your onion into very thin rings, using great care not to chop off your fingers. You can keep the onion slices as circles, or cut them into half moons. Whatever tickles your fancy. The cut won’t alter the flavor, just make sure they’re thinly sliced. Place them in a colander.
To a large glass jar, add your favorite light vinegar, fresh thyme sprigs, rainbow peppercorns, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic, and a bit of sugar. Stir it or shake it to combine the flavors.
When your water reaches a boil, go to the sink and pour the water over your onions. BE CAREFUL, HOT WATER CAN BURN!! Let water drain out. Add the onions to the glass jar. Refrigerate for thirty minutes before eating.
Maybe paint your nails, have a cup of cold brew coffee or make some Tabbouleh salad. Whatever you do, enjoy it.
Let’s talk more about these pickled onions for a moment, shall we? These are a bit sweeter than a pickled cucumber. You want to add a good amount of sugar to your vinegar mixture. It’s even fun to combine different types of vinegar and add different spices. The great thing about pickled onions, is you can customize them to your taste buds.
An easy, printable version of the recipe is below for your enjoyment. I’d love to hear how you enjoyed the pickled onions. Maybe on a picnic?
Ingredients
- 2-3 Cups of Water
- 2-3 Medium Red Onions, thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 cups rice vinegar or other mild light vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2-3 sprigs of fresh Thyme
- 10 rainbow pepper corns
- Glass Jar with lid
Instructions
- In medium saucepan, boil 2-3 cups of water.
- Thinly slice onions into rings or half moons. Add them to a colander.
- To a glass jar with lid, add remaining ingredients.
- When water reaches a boil, pour water over onion slices.
- Transfer onion slices to glass jar and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
I’ve never thought of pickling onions before. I’ve done it with hot peppers and cucumbers – but some nice sweet or red onions would be yummy. I know what you mean about the smell in the dishwasher – I hate that, but love it when all the dishes and machine are all clean.
Those pickles sound really yummy. I love using Finish in my dishwasher. It does such a great job.
Very cool! I’ve never pickled my onions before but sounds like a great idea.
They’re quite tasty! It’s easy to change up the flavors, too. You can make them slightly sweeter or spicy – depending on the type of onion and your taste preferences.
I have never heard or tried pickled onions before but I do know those Finish tablets work really well !
I love pickled cocktail onions, I bet I could use this recipe with those too! We use Finish Turbo Packs in our house and the dishes always come out sparkling!
I’ve never tried cocktail onions (I know, strange!). But, I’m sure it would be tasty with them.
I love pickled everything. I want to try making these!
You’ll love them – I’m sure!
I love pickles but have never tried pickled onions. Will have to try this out.
I have never tried pickled onions before, but I can’t wait to. We love Finish in our house – always makes our dishes nice and clean.
What the what?! You can do this?! So gonna try it!
I could use a clean dishwasher right now, mine keeps caking my glasses in grossness, I hate it! Also, I need those pickled onions. Yum!
Okay, i am really curious about the pickled onions! They sound like they would be so delicious! And we love finish products too! Always make our dishes so clean!
They’re surprisingly tasty! I’m shocked my husband likes them because he doesn’t like “raw” onions. The pickling takes a bit of the edge off.
During this pregnancy I’ve found a new love for onions and CANNOT wait to try this! Thanks for helping a preggo mama out 🙂 Also will have to try the dish detergent. I haven’t found anything I love for our dishwasher.
Looks yummy. My dishwasher stinks. I hate it and want a new one. I need a dishwasher fairy to bring me one.
Ours had a small electrical fire in June, we got a new one! Thankfully, I was home at the time!
I love these! You can toss some sliced cucumber in with them too… amazing over Jasmine rice!
Thanks for the suggestion! I am going to try it with cucumber. Yum!