Sweet Pickled Onions

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These tangy and sweet pickled onions are the perfect side dish to add a pop of flavor to your next meal. Just a few pantry staples and in no time you’ve got yourself a delicious condiment.

Transform a pungent, strong, sharp tasting onion into a deliciously tangy and sweet treat. And best of all, this pickled onion recipe only calls for a few pantry staples.

Ahh quick pickled onions. The ever so popular local condiment that goes so well with so many dishes. Serve it alongside kalbi or pūlehu steak, and even atop a teriyaki burger.

Or you can eat it by itself. It’s that yummy.

Sweet pickled onions recipe ingredients

• Granulated sugar. I like my pickled onions on the sweeter side. Feel free to cut back on the sugar if you don’t want it as sweet. You can also  swap this out for honey or maple sugar.
• White vinegar. White or red wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or even apple cider vinegar can be used here as well
• Water.
• Hawaiian salt. This is a larger, more coarse grain of salt and can be found at most local grocery stores in Hawai’i or online. Don’t have Hawaiian salt? Opt for kosher salt or coarse pink Himalayan salt
• Sweet Maui onions. These are sweet onions that lack sulfur that typically gives onions a pungent taste and smell. Red onions or Walla walla onions can be used as an alternative.

Variations

• Spicy. Add in some Hawaiian chili peppers for an added punch of spice.
• More layers of flavors. Add some garlic, peppercorns, and ogo (seaweed).

What is pickling?

Pickling is a process that uses immersion in either a brine or vinegar solution to extend the shelf life of foods by lowering the pH and killing most bacteria.

How to store pickled onions?

Airtight containers work well to store pickled onions. I like to use glass mason jars. These are best kept in the refrigerator.

How long will it last?

Sweet pickled onions stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator will keep for a few weeks. Be sure to use clean utensils when taking some of the onions out to eat. 

Can you freeze pickled onions?

While pickled onions are okay to freeze, I prefer to freeze the onions prior to pickling and pickle when ready to eat.

Other great dishes to serve alongside sweet pickled onions

• Loco moco
• Coffee rubbed pork chops
• Grilled teriyaki chicken kabobs
• Skillet steak

How to make sweet pickled onions?

1. Place sugar, vinegar, water, and Hawaiian salt into a saucepan set over high heat. Bring to a boil and heat through until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Set this aside to cool slightly.
2. Thinly slice onions and place into a jar or container.
3. Pour the pickling liquid over the onions until completely submerged. Allow to cool at room temperature.
4. Place the lid on and store in the refrigerator. ENJOY!

Sweet Pickled Onions

Relle Lum

These tangy and sweet pickled onions are the perfect side dish to add a pop of flavor to your next meal. Just a few pantry staples and you’ve got yourself a delicious condiment.

4.58 from 33 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Additional Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Appetizers

Cuisine Local

Servings 2 cups

Calories 277 kcal

Equipment

• Ball Regular Mouth 16-Ounces Mason Jar with Lids and Bands (12-Units), 12-Pack, AS SHOWN
• C&H Pure Cane Granulated Sugar, 20 Oz Easy Pour Reclosable Top Canister (Pack of 2)
• Heinz White Vinegar, 64 oz
• Hawaii White Sea Salt From the Hawaiian Islands – 2lb Bag

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup white vinegar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup water
• 2 ½ tablespoons Hawaiian salt
• 2 pounds sweet onions

Instructions

 

• Place sugar, vinegar, water, and Hawaiian salt into a saucepan set over high heat. Bring to a boil and heat through until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Set this aside to cool slightly.
• Thinly slice onions and place into a jar or container.
• Pour the pickling liquid over the onions until completely submerged. Allow to cool at room temperature.
• Place the lid on and store in the refrigerator. ENJOY!

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu934sxF-RY

Notes

*Sweet Maui onions are a great choice of onions for this recipe.

*You can also use red onions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 277kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 2gSodium: 3986mgFiber: 2gSugar: 61g

Keyword appetizer, easy pickled onions, easy recipes, hawaiian pickled onions, keeping it relle, pickled onions, pickled onions recipe, side dish, sweet pickled onions recipe, sweet pickled pickled onions

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