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Home » Tips & Tricks » Guides » 5 Tips To Make Pickled Onions Crunchy

Published on May 26, 2022 | Last updated on May 26, 2022 | By Harshad 2 Comments

5 Tips To Make Pickled Onions Crunchy

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When it comes to pickled onions, there are a few things that you can do to ensure that they’re nice and crunchy.

And crunchy pickled onions do taste amazing with just about anything.

So, if you are interested in knowing how to make pickled onions crunchy, check out the following guide.

how to make pickled onions crunchy cover image
  • How To Make Pickled Onions Crunchy
  • How To Store Pickled Onions For Crunchy Texture
  • Things To Remember While Picking The Right Onions For Pickled Onions
  • FAQs
  • Over To You

How To Make Pickled Onions Crunchy

Here’s how you can make your pickled onions nice and crunchy –

1. Slice Your Onions Thin

Start by slicing the onions thinly.

This will help them pickle evenly and make them easier to bite into.

For this purpose, you can use a mandoline slicer if you have one.

It’s an effective tool that will help you get nice, even slices.

And if you don’t have a mandoline slicer, simply use a sharp knife to slice the onions thinly.

2. Soak The Onions In Ice Water

Once you have sliced the onions, soak them in ice water for about 30 minutes.

This will help to firm up the onions and make them crunchier.

It’s an important step, so don’t skip it.

3. Add The Onions To The Pickling Solution

After the onions have soaked in ice water, add them to the pickling solution.

Make sure that they are fully submerged in the liquid.

You can use any pickling solution, but I recommend using a mixture of vinegar and water.

This way, the pickled onions will have a nice tangy flavor.

And if you want to add some sweetness to the mix, you can also add a little bit of sugar to the pickling solution.

4. Choose The Right Vinegar

When it comes to pickled onions, you want to use vinegar that has a high acidity level.

This type of vinegar will help preserve the onions and keep them crunchy.

So, choose your vinegar wisely.

You can use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even red wine vinegar.

All these types of vinegar will work well and give the pickled onions a nice flavor.

5. Let The Onions Pickle

Once you’ve added the onions to the pickling solution, let them sit for at least 24 hours.

This will give them enough time to absorb all the flavors from the vinegar.

And after 24 hours, you can go ahead and enjoy your pickled onions.

Don’t forget to refrigerate them, though.

They will last for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

There you have it – a simple guide on how to make pickled onions crunchy.

Just follow the steps above, and you’ll have delicious, crunchy pickled onions in no time.

Important: The crunchiness of onions also depends on the type of onion you use.

For example, red onions will result in crunchier pickled onions than white onions.

So, if you want extra crunchy pickled onions, use red onions.

Other than that, if you keep them pickling for too long, they will surely lose their crunchiness.

So, don’t forget to take them out after 24 hours.

Otherwise, you’ll end up with mushy pickles.

How To Store Pickled Onions For Crunchy Texture

Pickled onions can be stored in a number of ways.

You can store them in their pickling solution or transfer them to an airtight container.

If you want to keep them for a longer period of time, it’s best to store them in their pickling solution.

This way, they will retain their crunchiness and flavor for a longer period of time.

But if you want to eat them right away, you can transfer them to an airtight container.

The container should be clean and dry before you add the pickled onions.

And once you’ve transferred them, refrigerate the container immediately.

Moreover, pickled onions can also be stored in jars.

You need to sterilize the jars before you add the pickling solution.

This will help preserve the pickled onions for a longer period of time.

Seal the jars tightly so that the pickling solution doesn’t evaporate.

And like always, refrigerate the jars immediately after adding the pickled onions.

Things To Remember While Picking The Right Onions For Pickled Onions

When it comes to pickled onions, you need to use the right type of onion.

As I mentioned earlier, red onions will result in crunchier pickled onions than white onions.

So, if you want extra crunchy pickled onions, use red onions.

Other than that, you should use fresh onions.

Avoid using old and dried-out onions as they will not result in crunchy pickles.

They will also have a different flavor that you may not like.

So, always use fresh onions for pickled onions.

Moreover, you need to cut the onions properly.

If they are too thick, they will not pickle properly and will not be crunchy.

On the other hand, if they are too thin, they will lose their crunchiness quickly.

So, cut the onions into thin slices so that they pickle properly and remain crunchy.

You can also use white onions for pickled onions.

However, they will not be as crunchy as red onions.

But they will still have a nice flavor that you will enjoy.

That’s all there is to it.

Now, let’s check out the FAQs below.

FAQs

1. How Do You Stop Pickled Onions Going Soft?


If you want to stop pickled onions from going soft, it’s important that you slice them thinly.

And if you don’t have a sharp knife, you can use a mandoline to slice the onions.

Soaking the onions in ice water for 30 minutes is also important.

This should help solve the purpose.

2. Why Do You Put Onions In Salt Water Before Pickling?


Soaking the onions in saltwater helps in removing any bitterness from them.

It also softens them slightly so that they can absorb all the flavors from the pickling solution.

Salt also works as a curing agent and helps preserve the onions for a longer period of time.

3. How Long Do You Leave Onions In Salt Before Pickling?



Ideally, you should leave the onions in salt for 30 minutes before pickling them.

But if you’re short on time, you can even leave them for 10 minutes.

Don’t leave them in salt for too long, or they will become too salty.

And if that happens, you can always rinse them under cold water to remove the excess salt.

4. Can You Make Pickled Onions Without Sugar?



Yes, you can make pickled onions without sugar.

The sugar is added to balance out the acidity of the vinegar.

5. What Spices To Put In Pickled Onions?


There are a number of spices that you can add to pickled onions.

Some of the most common ones include peppercorns, mustard seeds, dill seeds, and fennel seeds.

You can also add dried chili peppers, garlic cloves, and bay leaves to the pickling solution.

These spices will not only add flavor to the pickled onions but will also make them more crunchy.

Over To You

Now that you know how to make pickled onions crunchy, it’s time to put your skills to the test.

Don’t forget to experiment with the spices and flavors to find a combination that you like best.

And if you want extra crunch, use red onions!

Do you have any other tips on how to make pickled onions crunchy?

Let me know in the comments below!

Please share this guide if you find it helpful.

Filed Under: Guides

About Harshad

Namaste!

My name is Harshad, and I am the chef, editor, and tech-support guy at SproutMonk.com.

I LOVE food, and I share my tried & tested recipes, useful tips, and guides on the blog.

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Comments

  1. Dorothy Heldt says

    June 2, 2022 at 1:21 am

    Great stuff !!! Just in time for pickling season. I have never pickled red onions. This will be A FIRST; Ove the idea of adding Herbs, Thanks again!!

    Reply
    • Harshad says

      June 10, 2022 at 9:15 pm

      Wow, I’m glad you’re excited to try pickling red onions for the first time!

      I’m sure you’ll love the results.

      Thanks for the kind words!

      Reply

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