Skip to main content

Sweet Pickled Red Onions

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 1 quart

Ingredients

2 pounds red onions
1 tablespoon coarse salt
3 cups cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups sugar
15 whole black peppercorns
4 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole allspice
2 dried hot red chiles
2 small bay leaves

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cut the onions into 1/4-inch-thick slices; transfer to a colander set in a bowl. Toss well with the salt. Refrigerate 1 hour. Rinse well; drain. Pat dry between paper towels.

    Step 2

    Bring the vinegar, sugar, and spices to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes.

    Step 3

    Add the onions; bring to a boil. Transfer the onions to a large bowl using a slotted spoon. Let the brine cool completely, about 30 minutes; pour over the onions. Transfer to airtight containers; refrigerate at least 1 week (pickles will keep 3 weeks more).

The cookbook cover with a blue background and fine typeface.
Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.
Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Like crispy gnocchi caprese and raspberry—brown butter skillet cake.
A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.
The secret to flavorful, never-greasy eggplant parm? Brine the eggplant first.
Like hot honey chicken with peaches and a dirty martini spritz.
No grill needed for this just-charred-enough sweet and spicy chicken.
Just as great with coffee for breakfast as it is with amaro for dessert.