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Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions Recipe

5 from 131 reviews

Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions bring a sweet, tangy, and spicy kick to any dish. These vibrant onions are thinly sliced and soaked in a warm mixture of apple cider vinegar, honey, and chili flakes, perfect for elevating tacos, sandwiches, salads, and more with a burst of flavorful zest.

Ingredients

Scale

Pickling Liquid

  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Vegetables

  • 1 large red onion, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pickling Liquid: In a saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, honey, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. This forms the flavorful pickling base that will infuse the onions.
  2. Heat the Mixture: Warm the combined ingredients over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture starts to simmer. This helps to dissolve the honey and salt, releasing aromatic flavors from the spices.
  3. Slice the Onions: While the liquid heats, thinly slice the red onion to create tender strips that will absorb the pickling liquid efficiently.
  4. Combine Onions and Liquid: Place the sliced onions into a jar or suitable container and pour the hot vinegar mixture over them, ensuring the onions are fully submerged to maximize pickling.
  5. Cool and Seal: Allow the jar to cool to room temperature before sealing it to avoid condensation and maintain the best texture.
  6. Refrigerate and Pickle: Refrigerate the sealed jar for at least 24 hours to let the flavors meld and the onions soften. For optimal taste, wait longer if possible before serving.

Notes

  • You can adjust the heat level by varying the amount of red pepper flakes to your preference.
  • Use a clean, airtight jar to store the pickled onions to maximize shelf life and maintain freshness.
  • These pickled onions keep well refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
  • If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the honey slightly or substitute with maple syrup for a different flavor.
  • Enjoy them as toppings on burgers, tacos, salads, grilled meats, or as a zesty side condiment.

Keywords: pickled red onions, hot honey, spicy pickled onions, easy pickled onions, condiment, sweet and spicy onions