Easy Pickled Red Onion is a fantastic condiment for a variety of dishes, from Mexican to Asian cuisine and everything in between! Quickly zapped in the microwave, you can store this garnish in a refrigerated container for several weeks.

I had my first experience with pickled red onion relish in a local Peruvian restaurant: it was served on a plate next to the most GORGEOUS arroz con pollo.
But honestly, the dish—though beautiful—struck me as bland and unremarkable in the flavor department...until I added a bit of pickled red onion to my next bite.
TRANSFORMATION! The pickled red onion's acidity and brightness somehow brought out the subtle flavoring and provided a textural counterpoint for the dish.
I resolved to recreate a pickled red onion condiment at home to keep in the fridge. Then I could pull it out as a relish for steak, burgers, Asian dishes, Mexican dishes, Caribbean dishes, and more. I sometimes eat it over rice.
These pickled red onions are fantastic on ground beef tacos!
Making Easy Pickled Red Onion
As the name suggests, Easy Pickled Red Onion is incredibly simple to make.
All you do is slice a red onion into thin rings or half rings, put them into a microwaveable container, add a bit of vinegar and sugar. I just love to use seasoned rice vinegar.
Then lid the container, shake, and zap it in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute.
In the image below, I've added the ingredients to my favorite twist-top Ziploc container:
I've used my easy pickled red onion relish for several years now. I included it with a couple of other recipes, like my Crockpot Banh Mi Sandwiches and One-Pan Arroz con Pollo. I finally decided to give Easy Pickled Red Onion its very own recipe. It was feeling left out.
I often substitute granulated Splenda for the sugar to cut down the carbs and calories. I haven't tried honey or agave nectar, but I suspect that these would both work splendidly (just keep in mind that it may not be a 1:1 substitution).
One note: I don't add salt to my easy pickled red onion. I find that the bright acidity brings out the salt in whatever dish you pair it with—and after all, getting less sodium in your diet is a good thing.
Other veggies to microwave...
I have found the microwave to be the best way to steam vegetables. Check out these healthy side dishes, each done in under 5 minutes.
- Easy Microwave Cauliflower
- Easy Microwave Broccoli – Served 3 Ways
- Easy Microwave Asparagus
- Easy Microwave Brussels Sprouts
That's it! I love reaching for my jar full of Easy Pickled Red Onion in the fridge. I just ate some of it with Thai Green Curry the other night—also YUM.
I hope you love my Easy Pickled Red Onion recipe!
—xoxo Michelle
Easy Pickled Red Onion
Easy Pickled Red Onion is a fantastic condiment for a variety of dishes, from Mexican to Asian cuisine and everything in between! Quickly zapped in the microwave, you can store this garnish in a refrigerated container for several weeks.
Ingredients
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced into rings and half-rings
- ¾ cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar, (or substitute granulated Splenda; see Recipe Note #1)
Instructions
- Simply mix all ingredients in a microwaveable container with a tight-fitting lid. Close and shake to combine. Loosen the lid and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Carefully remove the container from the microwave to avoid steam burns. Tighten the lid and refrigerate, shaking the container occasionally. The onions will keep up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Notes
- You can substitute honey or agave nectar as well: add in very small amounts until the mix is flavored to your liking.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
Wow, Michelle! These look and sound fantastic. I'm Polish and we love pickles but I've never tried pickled onions and these are definitely just up my street so will be giving them a go! 🙂
Michelle says
Thank you, Jo! These are now weekly fixtures in my house. I hope you love them too!
Monika Dabrowski says
This looks really easy to make and I love the colour! Thanks for linking up with #CookBlogShare!
Michelle says
Thanks, Monika! It’s the easiest condiment EVER. And yes, the color reminds me of jewels. ?
Balvinder says
By the way date paste work in place of sugar. I have tried and have both the recipes on my blog.
Michelle says
Ah, great suggestion! Thank you!
Balvinder says
Oh, I just love pickled onions. Sometimes I make it with sugar and sometimes I don't. Both ways its awesome.
Michelle says
Thank you, Balvinder! 🙂
Nico @ yumsome says
Cor - this looks gorgeous, Michelle! I'm not a huge fan of pickles but I do love pickled onion, and I love how quick this is to make. 🙂
I don't have a microwave though, but I assume if I were to make a jar in the morning, it would be ready by dinner time in the evening? Or would I do better to very quickly blanch the onions in the vinegar and sugar before putting into the jar? xx
Michelle says
Thanks so much, Nico! Great questions! You can absolutely just shake everything in the jar: it will be ready several hours later and continue to improve as it cures. Or, you could do a quick blanch in the vinegar and sugar to have them done really quickly.