Asian Style Pickled Onions
These crisp Asian Style Pickled Onions are tangy, lightly sweet, and packed with vibrant flavor. Made with red onions, rice vinegar, and a simple brine, they come together quickly and add a fresh pop to sandwiches, rice bowls, salads, tacos, and grilled meats.
Calories:
Ingredients
- 2 medium red onions thinly sliced
- 1 cup rice vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes optional
Instructions
- Thinly slice the red onions using a sharp knife or mandoline slicer and place them in a large heat-safe bowl. Thin slices pickle faster and stay crisp. If the onions taste too sharp, rinse them briefly under cold water first.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve completely. Avoid boiling too hard so the vinegar flavor stays bright.
- Pour the warm brine over the onions and add sesame seeds and chili flakes if using. Press the onions down gently so they stay submerged. Let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes as the onions begin turning bright pink.
- Transfer the onions and brine to a clean airtight jar or container. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving, though the flavor improves even more overnight.
- Serve the pickled onions on rice bowls, burgers, tacos, salads, grilled meats, or noodle dishes. Stir gently before serving to redistribute the seasonings.