Sous Vide Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe 🧅 (2024)

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Making sous vide pickled onions is faster than making a refrigerator pickled onions. Precision temperature in a short amount of time will produce a crunchy, flavorful pickled onion.

Sous Vide Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe 🧅 (1)

This easy and delicious recipe would be great addition to a cheese boardas a compliment or as a topping for ablack bean burger. Don't underestimate the deliciousness of pickled onions when added as a topping for pulled pork, pulled chicken or roast beef. Another recipe that you are going to want to try is my sous vide pickled banana pepper recipe. Be sure to check out my complete collection of sous vide recipes.

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  • Want To Save This Recipe?
  • How do you make quick pickled red onions?
  • Pickled Onion Ingredients
  • How to sous vide pickled onions
  • How long can pickled onions last?
  • How do you make sliced pickled onions?
  • Should you keep pickled onions in the fridge?
  • What spices to use in this best quick pickled onions?
  • How to make pickled red onions mix
  • What other food items are popular for pickling?
  • What do pickled onions taste like?
  • Ways to use pickled onions in everyday dishes
  • What kinds of vinegar can I use to make pickled onions?
  • Want To Save This Recipe?
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Sarah Mock
  • Comments

How do you make quick pickled red onions?

I found the way to pickle onions quickly is with sous vide cooking. In less than 30 minutes you can have crisp, flavorful, pickled onions. New to sous vide? I explain in simple terms everything I know about sous vide cooking.

Pickled Onion Ingredients

How to sous vide pickled onions

Sous Vide Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe 🧅 (2)
  1. In a zip top bag,add thered wine vinegar, water, pickling spice mix, sugar and salt.
  2. Place the bag in the water of your sous videusing the water displacement method.
  3. Heat your sous vide to 180ºF (82ºC).
  4. While the sous vide is heating,slice your red onion thinlyor to your desired thickness.
  5. Once your water comes to temperature,agitate the liquid contents of the bagto be sure that the salt and sugar have dissolved.
  6. Add the sliced onion to the bag and re-submerge the bag using thewater displacement method. Secure the bag to the side of the pot with a clip.
  7. Cook for25 minutes.
  8. Remove from the water bath and shock (stop the cooking) the onions inan ice bath.
  9. Store the pickled onions in their brine, in a closed container such as a mason jar.

How long can pickled onions last?

Sous Vide Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe 🧅 (3)

Stored in the refrigerator, these pickled onions will last for a minimum of 6 months.

How do you make sliced pickled onions?

Thinly slice the onion with a knife or mandoline. I prefer a red onion but a vidalia sweet onion could be a good alternative. Together with vinegar, salt, sugar and spices, the onions marinade in the brine and become preserved.

Should you keep pickled onions in the fridge?

Pickled onions are not shelf stable. If you won't use pickled red onions, keep them in the refrigerator.

What spices to use in this best quick pickled onions?

I am using a premixed pickling spice for this pickled onion recipe but spices that would be delicious in a pickled onion would be peppercorns, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, bay leaves, allspice, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. It is personal preference as to the combination of pickling spices so play around with it and have fun with your flavors.

How to make pickled red onions mix

If you are in need of a simple picking spice mix with out having to buy a premixed jar, try this combination:

  • 10 peppercorns
  • 2tsp mustard seeds
  • 1tsp coriander seeds
  • 2 bay leaves

What other food items are popular for pickling?

Fresh red onions are popular for picking but you are also going to want to try your hand at other pickled foods such as pickling cucumbers, pearl onions, cauliflower, baby corn, watermelon rind and green beans.

What do pickled onions taste like?

Sous Vide Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe 🧅 (5)

In my opinion pickled onions do not taste like a raw onion. They are crips but not hard in texture, have and acidic bite to the with an after taste of sweetness. Depending on the spices used, there will be notes of those spices.

Ways to use pickled onions in everyday dishes

  • Level up the flavor of tacos with easy pickled red onions by adding these tangy pickled onions as a topping.
  • Incorporate them into salads for a burst of flavor and texture.
  • Sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes over nachos with the pickled onions for a spicy kick.
  • Jazz up avocado toast by layering it with these tangy onions.
  • For a unique twist, drizzle honey over the pickled onions when using them in various dishes.

What kinds of vinegar can I use to make pickled onions?

You can use apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, or white wine vinegar to make pickled onions following the recipe. Simply let the onions marinate in your chosen vinegar for the desired flavor profile.

📖 Recipe

Sous Vide Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe 🧅 (6)

Sous Vide Pickled Onions

Sarah Mock

Making sous vide pickled onions is faster than making a refrigerator pickled onions. Precision temperature in a short amount of time will produce a crisp, flavorful pickled onion.

5 from 11 votes

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Note From Sarah

There is more to a recipe than just the recipe card. Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

Prep time for the recipePrep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook time for the recipeCook Time 30 minutes mins

total time to prep and cook the recipe.Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Sous Vide

Cuisine American

Makes 1 cup

Per Serving 8 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

How to sous vide pickled onions

  • In a zip top bag, add the red wine vinegar, water, pickling spice mix, salt and sugar.

  • Place the bag in the water of your sous vide using the water displacement method.

  • Heat your sous vide to 180ºF (82ºC).

  • While the sous vide is heating, slice your red onion thinly or to your desired thickness.

  • Once your water comes to temperature, agitate the liquid contents of the bag to be sure that the salt and sugar have dissolved.

  • Add the sliced onion to the bag and re-submerge the bag using the water displacement method. Secure the bag to the side of the pot with a clip.

  • Cook for 25 minute.

  • Remove from the water bath and shock (stop the cooking) of the onions in an ice bath.

  • Store the pickled onions in their brine, in a closed container.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1Tablespoon | Calories: 8kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Sodium: 467mg | Sugar: 1g

Nutrition Disclosure

Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

Sous Vide Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe 🧅 (7)

👩🏻‍🍳 Sarah Mock

CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 14 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

    More Ultimate Collection of Sous Vide Recipes

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    About Sarah Mock

    Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 14 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply

    1. Alys Corbin

      Is it possible to do this in mason jar without the water bath (to avoid breaking the glass) or will the onions cook too much?

      Reply

      • Sarah Mock

        Alys,
        Can you clarify? Sous vide uses a water bath. Mason jars are safe for sous vide cooking. If you are talking about putting the jar in an oven, I would advise against it.
        If I am not answering your question, please let me know how I can clarify.

        Sarah

        Reply

    2. Nellie Tracy

      Sous Vide Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe 🧅 (12)
      Mmmm so yummy! I could eat these on the daily!

      Reply

    3. Sara M.

      Sous Vide Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe 🧅 (13)
      What a great idea to make these sous vide! Saving this recipe, I've always wanted to make these! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply

    Sous Vide Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe 🧅 (2024)

    FAQs

    Do you have to brine onions before pickling? ›

    Brining your onions before pickling might seem like a bit of a palaver, but don't skip this step. As well as seasoning them nicely, the brine draws out moisture from the onions to keep them nice and crisp.

    Why are my pickled onions not turning pink? ›

    Make sure to submerge sliced onions in hot water before transferring them into a mason jar. If your onions aren't turning pink yet, you'll need to give them some more time in the fridge. Also, double-check that they are fully submerged in lime juice.

    How long do quick pickled red onions last? ›

    How Long Do Quick Pickled Onions Last in the Refrigerator? Pickled onions can last in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. I like them best during the first week because they are the most crisp, but they're still yummy later on.

    Can you sous vide onions? ›

    Add cooled onions to FoodSaver Gallon Vacuum Seal Precut Bag. Vacuum seal according to appliance guidelines. Fill cooking pot with water. Add sous vide machine; set to 185 degrees F.

    Can I use pickle juice instead of brine? ›

    Brine Meat and Seafood

    You may not have enough leftover pickle brine to wet-brine a whole turkey, but soaking smaller cuts of meat and seafood in pickle juice adds lots of flavor.

    Why do you soak pickled onions in salt water? ›

    I always like to salt and soak the onions before pickling. This gets rid of the harsh 'bite' that often makes raw-onions unappetizing. Soaking them for a short time in hot water softens the onions slightly, priming them for quicker, more thorough absorption of the vinegar brine.

    Do homemade pickled red onions go bad? ›

    When done properly, your unopened home-canned pickled onions are shelf-stable for one year. Although some university extension programs say that with proper storage, you can stretch that up to two years for lower acidity foods — which onions are — the USDA gives a 12-month maximum for anything canned at home.

    Should pickled onions float? ›

    As Karen says, just add more vinegar -- preferably just boiled -- to cover the onions. If they float, then put a clean dish or bowl (again, preferably just boiled) of some kind on top of them to keep them submerged.

    Are pink onions the same as red onions? ›

    The pink onion is a relatively new strain of onions and a cross between the yellow and the red onion. The popularity of the pink onion is growing due to its unique colour and the perfect combination of the sharper yellow and the milder tasting red.

    Can I use leftover pickle juice to pickle red onions? ›

    To Pickle Other Things

    If you have vegetables that would be good pickled, like onions, garlic, carrots or green beans, toss them in the jar of leftover pickle juice, and see what happens.

    Are pickled red onions good for you? ›

    What makes pickled red onions so healthy? Red onions are rich in folate, or vitamin B9, which can improve cardiovascular health and reduce your risk of a stroke. Our pickled red onions contain many other vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C.

    What do you eat with pickled red onions? ›

    Sandwiches: Brighten up any deli sandwich, burger, or saucy BBQ sandwich. Tacos: The sweet acidity is especially good on fish tacos and carnitas. Mayo-based salads: Add chopped pickled red onions to egg salads and potato salads, or use as a topper for deviled eggs.

    What is a disadvantage of sous vide? ›

    Firstly, sous vide cooking can be time-consuming. In this method, the food is vacuum-sealed and then cooked in a water bath for a long time, usually several hours.

    What should not be sous vide? ›

    Produce that no longer looks completely fresh or already smells strange is, of course, no longer suitable for the sous vide procedure. This particularly applies to fish and meat that is cooked at relatively low temperatures.

    What temperature should onion be sous vide? ›

    Sous vide onions usually soften up and become sweeter when cooked for 35 to 60 minutes at 183°F to 185°F (83.9°C to 85°C). They are usually peeled, then diced or sliced and placed into a sous vide bag in a single layer to facilitate even cooking. Certain onions may take longer to fully break down than others.

    Can you put raw onion in pickle juice? ›

    If you have vegetables that would be good pickled, like onions, garlic, carrots or green beans, toss them in the jar of leftover pickle juice, and see what happens. They'll make a nice addition to a charcuterie platter or Blood Mary.

    Do you soak shallots in salt water before pickling? ›

    In a large bowl, mix the coarse crystal sea salt with 300ml boiling water and let it dissolve to make a brining solution. Add 1.2 litres cold water, then the shallots. Cover and leave to soak overnight. The next day, drain, rinse then drain again.

    Do pickles need to be in brine? ›

    They are simply vegetables that are pickled in a vinegar, water, and salt (sometimes sugar, too) solution and stored in the refrigerator. Quick pickles don't develop the deep flavor that fermented pickles do, but they also only require a few days in the brine before they can be enjoyed.

    Why do you brine vegetables before pickling? ›

    If you'd like to preserve your vegetables as long as possible, you can Brine them before you pickle them. The extra salt helps with the preservation of your pickled items, and can help with the taste and crispiness as well.

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