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Pickled Onion Rings Recipe
Annie Graves

Pickled Onion Rings

5 from 1 vote
Add a tangy twist to your meals with these Pickled Onion Rings! Crisp and delicious, they’re perfect for sandwiches, salads, or as a snack on their own.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 24
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pickled Onion Rings
  • 2 large red or yellow onions sliced into rings
  • 1 cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for heat
  • 2 cloves garlic smashed
  • 2 bay leaves
Optional Add-Ins
  • Fresh dill sprigs or thyme
  • Slices of jalapeño for extra spice
Substitutions
  • Vegan: This recipe is naturally vegan.
  • Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
  • Low-Sugar: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or reduce the sugar to taste.

Method
 

Prepare the Onions
  1. Peel the onions and slice them into rings about 1/4-inch thick.
  2. Separate the rings and place them in a heatproof jar or container.
Make the Pickling Brine
  1. In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, peppercorns, mustard seeds, red pepper flakes (if using), garlic, and bay leaves.
  2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar and salt are fully dissolved.
Pickle the Onion Rings
  1. Pour the hot brine over the onion rings, making sure they are fully submerged.
  2. If needed, weigh the onions down with a small plate or jar lid to keep them submerged.
Let the Onions Pickle
  1. Allow the onions to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate.
  2. For quick pickling, let the onions sit for at least 1 hour, but for deeper flavor, refrigerate for 24 hours before serving.
Serve
  1. Use the Pickled Onion Rings as a topping for burgers, tacos, sandwiches, salads, or enjoy them as a snack on their own.
  2. They add a perfect tangy crunch to any dish!

Notes

Nutritional Information (Per Serving - 1/4 cup of pickled onions):

  • Calories: 25
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Protein: 0g
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 4g


Notes/Advice:

  • Additions/Subtractions:
    • If you prefer a sweeter pickle, you can increase the sugar by 1-2 tablespoons.
    • You can experiment with different spices—add coriander seeds, fennel seeds, or even a cinnamon stick for unique flavor twists.
    • For a more traditional pickled onion, stick with white or apple cider vinegar, but feel free to experiment with rice vinegar for a milder flavor.