This Mexican pickled onions recipe makes the perfect condiment. You can dollop the onions on salads, tacos, fajitas, sandwiches and so many other yummy foods! The list is endless.
It’s no surprise that my favorite cuisine is Mexican. The love affair started when I worked at a Mexican restaurant right out of college. Before that, I never thought anything would usurp the number one place in my heart reserved for Italian food. How wrong I was!
These days, I could eat Mexican once a week and often do. I would make my recipes as spicy as all get out if Christopher could take spice. But alas, he can’t.
These Mexican pickled onions aren’t spicy though, so he can eat them. And the recipe is easy to make. The hardest part is waiting the four days for the onions to marinate and become delicious!
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Helpful tips
- If you aren’t fond of red onion, use a Vidalia onion, which is sweeter. Just know that it won’t turn red as it pickles.
- Use a large onion or a few medium onions.
- Slice the onion as thinly as you can. Unless you are a whizz with the knife, that means using a mandolin or a food processor.
- Don’t be alarmed that the onion will fill the jar but the liquid will NOT cover the onion. The onion shrinks and is marinated as it sits in the fridge.
- You can store pickled onions in the fridge for at least a month.
How to make Mexican pickled onions
Step one
Gather the ingredients – red or Vidalia onion, lime, apple cider vinegar and salt.
Step two
Slice the onion as thinly as possible (see tips above). Also, take out a large jar.
Step three
Stuff the onion in the jar.
Step four
Add lime juice, apple cider vinegar and salt in the jar. Cap it and turn the jar upside down. Leave it on the counter for 30 minutes.
Notice that the liquid doesn’t cover the onions. Don’t fret.
Step five
Turn the jar right-side up for 30 minutes.
Step six
Turn the jar on its side for 30 minutes.
Place in the refrigerator for four days.
Here’s what it looks like after the four days. Look how much the onions shrank.
Transfer to a smaller more appropriate jar.
That’s it! Now, all that’s left to do is drape the Mexican pickled onions on some tacos or something equally as delicious! Woohoo!
I hope you enjoyed this recipe.
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Mexican Pickled Onions
Ingredients
- 1 large red onion (sliced thinly – see notes)
- 4 limes (juiced)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- .50 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add sliced onions to jar
- Add lime juice, apple cider vinegar and salt
- Cap jar and turn upside down and leave on the counter for 30 minutes
- Turn the jar rightside up for 30 minutes. Next turn it on the side for 30 minutes
- Place in fridge for four days. The onions will shrink and now the liquid will almost be covering the onions
- Transfer to a better fitting jar
- Serve
- Smile
- Enjoy
Equipment
Video
Notes
- If you aren’t fond of red onion, you can use a Vidalia onion, which is sweeter. Just know that it won’t turn red while it pickles.
- Use a large onion or a few medium onions.
- Slice the onion as thinly as you can. So, unless you are a whizz with the knife, you can use a mandolin or you can use a food processor.
- Don’t be alarmed but the onion will fill the jar but the liquid will NOT cover the onion. The onion will shrink as it sits in the fridge.
- You can store pickled onions in the fridge for at least a month.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Homemade pickled onions are the best. I love doing red onions too. The perfect topping for burgers and sandwiches this summer. A bbq party must!!
Elaine
Thanks Gloria! I always bring this to my onion loving cousin’s house. 🙂
Beth Pierce
What a great recipe! Love enjoying these on my salads for lunch! Delish!
Elaine
Thanks so much Beth! 🙂
Laura | Wandercooks
Oh wow I had no idea it was so easy to make pickled onions at home! They look like a little jar of happiness. 🙂
Elaine
Hehe, Laura. I love that! 🙂
Michelle
My favorite taco truck has these and they are amazing! I’ll have to try making them soon, I had no idea it was this easy
Elaine
So good Michelle! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. 🙂
Anne Lawton
I love pickled onions! This is such an easy recipe,thanks for sharing your step by step instructions!
Elaine
Thank you Anne! I appreciate your comment!
SHANIKA
These Pickled Onions look so good! I love how easy it is to make!
Elaine
Thanks Shanika!
Veena Azmanov
Such a lovely recipe. I love making sandwiches, wraps and Burgers and this topping will surely enhance the taste. Thanks
Elaine
Those ideas are perfect for the onions. Thanks for your comment Veena!
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
I think I need to make a bigger batch of these! They go with so many things and love them on my fish tacos!!
Elaine
Yay! Carrie. I love these onions on tacos.
Amy
I can think of so many things this would be delicious on — it would add such an interesting flavor, and a great pop of color! I’ll have to make some of this to keep on hand!
Elaine
Thanks Amy! That’s my opinion too! 😉
Paula Montenegro
This is a great recipe! What is it about pickled onions that’s so amazing? I could eat them all the time. But Italian is still my favorite…
Elaine
Hehe Paula! I love Italian too. Thanks for you kind comment!
Amanda M Mason
Oh my goodness I want these for my hot dogs and burgers! my grandmother used to pickle onions and I know with your easy steps I’ll be able to do the same! Thank you so much for this recipe!
Elaine
I adore these onions, very tasty! Thank you for your comment Amanda!
Karyl
I rarely ever ate Mexican food until I moved to Oklahoma in 2007,..and now i eat it ALL THE TIME! But I’ve never heard of these pickled onions! I will have to give them a try
Elaine
I hope you enjoy them Karyl. Isn’t it funny how that happens? I love Mexican food!
Leslie Kiszka
These taste delicious, but to be completely honest with you – my favorite part is the color. It’s just so gorgeous! It ends up making everything they go on look even prettier.
Elaine
Thanks Leslie! Yes, I love the color – it’s such a pretty pink!
Kushi
Lovely pics and the recipe looks fantastic. I have never tried pickled onions at home. Thanks for sharing.
Elaine
Thank you Kushi!
Kylie | Midwest Foodie
I have always been curious how to make Mexican pickled onions. Can’t wait to try these next time we have tacos!!
Elaine
Thanks Kylie. They are so delicious and I hope you enjoy them.
Jo
I love how neatly the onions are sliced using mandolin. Homemade onion pickle is THE BEST. For hot dogs, burgers it’s so delicious!
Elaine
Thanks Jo
Jordan
We’re doing taco night on Thursday – these are gonna be an amazing addition to the topping selection. I’ve never made my own pickled onions but you make it seem easy!
Elaine
Thanks Jordan. They are super easy to make and everyone enjoys them!