They’re my absolute favorite condiment, something I always keep in the fridge– Whole30 Pickled Onions! This pickled red onion recipe is sugar free, Paleo, Gluten Free, Low Carb, and absolutely delicious! Try them and they’ll become a staple in your refrigerator too!
Why I love them!
Maybe it’s the tangy, sweet taste, maybe it’s the crunchy texture, or maybe it’s that beautiful pink color, but these pickled onions are a kitchen staple.
Simple Ingredients
- Red Onions
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sea salt & peppercorns
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Adding pickled red onions to even the simplest dish just adds something special, and guess what else? There is NO SUGAR added. Yup, sugar free pickled onions do exist, and they are awesome!
“Soaking onions in acid takes the fire out of them without diminishing the brightness they add to a dish.”
Samin Nosrat, chef & author of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat
Making Pickled Onions Keto, Whole30, and Paleo
You’ll find that a lot of recipes for pickled onions call for refined sugar, but truly, you don’t need it at all. All you need is a bit of lemon juice, and that’s enough to take the edge off the sharp vinegar taste and keep the recipe Whole30, Paleo, and Keto/Low Carb. A few tips:
- Always remember to check your ingredients labels! That’s just me reminding you, because you don’t hear that enough. But really, because most vinegars are Whole30 compliant, you’re usually okay… but you just never know!
- When choosing an apple cider vinegar, I recommend using one that’s raw and unfiltered, like Bragg’s. You’ll get the bonus of beneficial bacteria (probiotics), which are great for improving your gut health! As an added bonus, the flavor is rocking!
Pickled Onions FAQ:
Honestly, they’re so versatile and I love them so much that I find endless ways to enjoy them! Pickled Red Onions brighten salads, add lovely acid to sandwiches and wraps, and make my breakfast plates a real dream.
I’ve even been known to eat them right out of the jar with a fork (and so has my three year old!), but I also like them with eggs or on anything spicy. Some ideas:
Loaded Taco Sweet Potato Nachos (Whole30)
Barbacoa and Plantain Sliders (Whole30)
Greek Salad with Shrimp (Whole30, Low Carb)
1. Just gently heat the vinegar and spices in a small sauce pan until it begins to simmer, then carefully pour the mixture into the jar, over the onions.
2. Cover, then set them on the counter, and they’ll be ready to eat in a snap!
The onions keep in the fridge for about two weeks, but we always eat them much faster than that! ⠀
Pickled Onion Flavor Variations
You’re gonna want to try these (they’re all Whole30 and Paleo compliant)!
- Spicy & Sweet Pickled Onions:
Add a few thin slices of habanero or jalapeño and two orange segments. - Zesty Garlic Pickled Onions:
Add 3-4 cloves of garlic - Mediterranean Pickled Onions:
Stir in 1/4 tsp. dried oregano and 1/4 tsp. cumin - Mexican Pickled Onions:
Substitute lime juice instead of lemon juice and a few sprigs of cilantro - Thai Inspired Pickled Onions:
Add a dried Kaffir lime leaf or a pinch of kaffir lime powder and a small piece of peeled ginger
Don’t be afraid to get creative, because this Whole30 pickled red onion recipe holds up great to a variety of flavors and flavor combinations. What flavors would you like to try?
Pin it for later:
What do you think, will you make these pickled onions?
If you do, I’d love to see! Tag me on Instagram @cookathomemom!
Sugar Free Pickled Red Onions (Whole30, Keto)
Ingredients
- 2 small red onions or 1 large
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar preferably raw unfiltered
- 2 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice approx 1/2 lemon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoons peppercorns
- 1 clove garlic optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients but the onions to a mason jar and stir well.
- Peel & slice the red onion (I prefer to slice thinly, but feel free to do this to your preference).
- Add in the onions to the mason jar, pressing down into the apple cider mixture until they’re submerged. If you need to, top off with a little extra apple cider vinegar until all the onions are covered.
- Mix well or cover and shake, then set it in the fridge overnight.
Video
Notes
- Spicy & Sweet Pickled Onions: Add a few thin slices of habanero or jalapeño and two orange segments.
- Zesty Garlic Pickled Onions: Add 3-4 cloves of garlic
- Mediterranean Pickled Onions: Stir in 1/4 tsp. dried oregano and 1/4 tsp. cumin
- Mexican Pickled Onions: Substitute lime juice instead of lemon juice and a few sprigs of cilantro
- Thai Inspired Pickled Onions: Add a dried Kaffir lime leaf or a pinch of kaffir lime powder and a small piece of peeled ginger
