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    Home » Dinner » Mexican » Mexican Pickled Onions

    Mexican Pickled Onions

    Last updated on October 22, 2020. Originally posted on July 8, 2019 By Elaine 34 Comments

    4.3K shares
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    Mexican Pickled onions for Pinterest 2
    Mexican Pickled onions for Pinterest 3
    Mexican Pickled Onions for Pinterest

    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.

    Forkful of red onions held over the jar

    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!

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you click the link and buy something. You can read my disclosure here.

    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.

    Overhead view of the onions, lime juice, apple cider vinegar and salt

    Step two

    Slice the onion as thinly as possible (see tips above). Also, take out a large jar.

    Sliced onions in a bowl and a jar behind it

    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.

    All the ingredients for the pickled onions in a jar tipped upside down on the lid

    Notice that the liquid doesn’t cover the onions. Don’t fret.

    Step five

    Turn the jar right-side up for 30 minutes.

    Jar of pickled onions right side up

    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.

    Jar of pink pickled onions after 5 days in the fridge

    Transfer to a smaller more appropriate jar.

    Pickled onions in a serving 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!

    A forkful of Mexican pickled onions - square

    Mexican Pickled Onions

    These Mexican pickled onions are the perfect thing to drape over tacos, sandwiches, salads and the list goes on! They are slightly tangy and so delicious!
    5 from 16 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: Mexican pickled onions, onions, pickled onions, taco condiment
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Rest in the refrigerator: 4 days
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 2 cups
    Calories: 65kcal
    Author: Elaine Benoit

    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

    32 ounce ball jar with lid
    mandolin
    See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!

    Video

    Notes

    Helpful tips
    • 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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 587mg | Potassium: 217mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Vitamin C: 43.1mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 0.9mg
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    4.3K shares

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you,  if you click the link and buy. You can read my disclosure here.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

      July 08, 2019 at 4:14 pm

      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!!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 10, 2019 at 12:08 pm

        Thanks Gloria! I always bring this to my onion loving cousin’s house. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Beth Pierce

      July 08, 2019 at 8:39 pm

      What a great recipe! Love enjoying these on my salads for lunch! Delish!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 10, 2019 at 12:09 pm

        Thanks so much Beth! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Laura | Wandercooks

      July 08, 2019 at 9:16 pm

      Oh wow I had no idea it was so easy to make pickled onions at home! They look like a little jar of happiness. 🙂

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 10, 2019 at 12:10 pm

        Hehe, Laura. I love that! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Michelle

      July 08, 2019 at 9:35 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 10, 2019 at 12:10 pm

        So good Michelle! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. 🙂

        Reply
      • Anne Lawton

        July 12, 2019 at 3:37 pm

        I love pickled onions! This is such an easy recipe,thanks for sharing your step by step instructions!

        Reply
        • Elaine

          July 14, 2019 at 8:32 pm

          Thank you Anne! I appreciate your comment!

          Reply
    5. SHANIKA

      July 08, 2019 at 10:40 pm

      These Pickled Onions look so good! I love how easy it is to make!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 10, 2019 at 12:10 pm

        Thanks Shanika!

        Reply
    6. Veena Azmanov

      July 09, 2019 at 12:05 am

      Such a lovely recipe. I love making sandwiches, wraps and Burgers and this topping will surely enhance the taste. Thanks

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 10, 2019 at 12:12 pm

        Those ideas are perfect for the onions. Thanks for your comment Veena!

        Reply
    7. Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen

      July 12, 2019 at 8:50 am

      I think I need to make a bigger batch of these! They go with so many things and love them on my fish tacos!!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 12, 2019 at 10:56 am

        Yay! Carrie. I love these onions on tacos.

        Reply
    8. Amy

      July 12, 2019 at 6:47 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 14, 2019 at 8:32 pm

        Thanks Amy! That’s my opinion too! 😉

        Reply
    9. Paula Montenegro

      July 12, 2019 at 9:28 pm

      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…

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 14, 2019 at 8:32 pm

        Hehe Paula! I love Italian too. Thanks for you kind comment!

        Reply
    10. Amanda M Mason

      July 13, 2019 at 10:06 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 14, 2019 at 8:31 pm

        I adore these onions, very tasty! Thank you for your comment Amanda!

        Reply
    11. Karyl

      July 13, 2019 at 7:35 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 14, 2019 at 8:30 pm

        I hope you enjoy them Karyl. Isn’t it funny how that happens? I love Mexican food!

        Reply
    12. Leslie Kiszka

      July 14, 2019 at 12:03 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 14, 2019 at 8:30 pm

        Thanks Leslie! Yes, I love the color – it’s such a pretty pink!

        Reply
    13. Kushi

      July 14, 2019 at 12:15 pm

      Lovely pics and the recipe looks fantastic. I have never tried pickled onions at home. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 14, 2019 at 8:29 pm

        Thank you Kushi!

        Reply
    14. Kylie | Midwest Foodie

      July 14, 2019 at 11:03 pm

      I have always been curious how to make Mexican pickled onions. Can’t wait to try these next time we have tacos!!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 15, 2019 at 10:31 am

        Thanks Kylie. They are so delicious and I hope you enjoy them.

        Reply
    15. Jo

      July 14, 2019 at 11:49 pm

      I love how neatly the onions are sliced using mandolin. Homemade onion pickle is THE BEST. For hot dogs, burgers it’s so delicious!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 15, 2019 at 10:30 am

        Thanks Jo

        Reply
    16. Jordan

      July 15, 2019 at 3:00 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 17, 2019 at 1:54 pm

        Thanks Jordan. They are super easy to make and everyone enjoys them!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Elaine! I'm so glad you stopped by. Here you will find lots of tasty cocktails, comforting food and inspiration for your next meal. I LOVE chocolate, almost all foods, blogging, photography and spending time with my hubby!

    More about me →

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