How to pickle red onions: 14 recipes

Pickled onions are considered a universal addition to many dishes. Therefore, they are always a special privilege among professional cooks and experienced housewives. But among the variety of varieties of spicy vegetable, most often the masters of the kitchen make a choice in favor of red onions, which can not be called a coincidence. The fact is that the colored varieties of the spicy vegetable have a richer composition. When combined with other spices and vinegar, red onions take on amazingly delicious sweet and sour notes and a vibrant flavor. It is not as bitter as its lighter congeners.

Many housewives marinate for the winter it is red and purple onions. Such a preparation in the season of shortage of fresh products will be a valuable source of vitamins. But about everything in order. Let's talk about the benefits of red onions and ways to prepare different marinades with them.

How to choose a red onion for pickling

Pickled red onions do not have the unpleasant odor that the white varieties of the popular vegetable have. On the contrary, such a product is often used to prepare appetizers that are served during business meetings. The most popular varieties of colored onions:

• black prince;
• retro;
• Yalta;
• red Bombay;
• baron;
• Yukont and some other varieties.

Therefore, when choosing a product for pickling, it is better to give preference to these varieties.

In addition, when buying spicy products, you should be guided by the following simple rules:

1. To prepare marinades for the winter, select root vegetables of impeccable quality. It is better to give preference to copies of average size.
2. The bulb should be strong and dense, and the husk - smooth, without visible damage.
3. There should be no sprouted roots on the lower part of the head and no green feathers on top.
4. The coloring of the husks should be uniform without spots.
5. Before buying, it is worth conducting a simple test: press with your finger on the surface of the root vegetable, if a slight crunch is heard - such a vegetable meets the quality standards.

In principle, these are the basic rules for selecting red onions not only for the preparation of home marinades, but also for other culinary purposes.

What are the benefits of red onions

The unusual hue of the spicy vegetable is explained by the presence in its composition of antacids - substances with powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties. This feature is valued in folk medicine. Therefore, in many recipes that are massively used even today in home therapy, there is exactly a red onion. In addition to antacids, the chemical composition of the vegetable contains the following components:

1. Quercetin and flavonoids.
2. A whole group of antioxidants.
3. Amino acids, including essential ones.
4. Vitamins, especially in large quantities contains ascorbic acid.
5. Phytoncides are substances that are considered natural antibiotics.
6. Mineral elements: magnesium, sulfur, iron, chromium, zinc and other minerals.
7. Essential components.

Listed here are the main active components of the vegetable. In fact, the composition of red onions is a very complex formula, numbering several dozen substances. And all of them closely interact with each other, having a beneficial effect on the human body as a whole.

The benefits appear in the following properties:

1. Stabilization of water-salt metabolism.
2. Reducing the concentration of harmful cholesterol and sugar in the blood.
3. Strengthen the structure of the blood vessels.
4. Normalization of cardiovascular activity.
5. Activation of the work of the brain.
6. Regular cleansing of the body from toxic products and radionuclides.
7. Improve the flow of metabolic processes.
8. Improving the body's defenses by strengthening the immune system.
9. Stimulation of digestive processes.
10. Improvement of intestinal peristalsis.

One could go on for a long time listing the benefits that even a small portion of red onions brings to the body. This versatile product is able to block the development of cancer and prolong youth at the cellular level. The spicy vegetable is considered to be the best natural cure for avitaminosis and anemia. With its help, it manages to solve sexual problems in the stronger sex, and women use the product to strengthen their hair.

Therefore, even during pregnancy, gynecologists recommend that future mothers add fresh or pickled red onions to salads. It remains to add to all of the above, that the regular use of the spicy vegetable is even considered by medics to be the best prevention from viral infections and colds.

How to pickle red onions: recipes

In the cuisines of many countries around the world, red onions are used in different versions: some cook light appetizers from it, in other countries the spicy vegetable is served as a garnish. The versatility of the pickled product is that it can satisfy completely different needs. In principle, this feature explains the popularity of colored onions, if we add to its versatility a pleasant sweet taste without bitterness. The ways of marinating red onions are very different depending on the category of the dish being prepared. In some recipes, the spicy vegetable is combined with the following ingredients:

• lemon juice;
• vinegar;
• sugar;
• mustard;
• peppers;
• wine;
• herb mixes;
• vegetable oil.

There are different ways of marinating according to the ageing period: for example, there are express versions for quick cooking, as well as there are recipes for long-term winter storage.

But in any form of execution, red pickled onions retain their unique combination of tangy sourness and pleasantly sweet tones of flavor. The pickled root vegetable adorns meat dishes and fish delicacies, is served as a spicy appetizer and added to salads.

An important point: Red varieties of onions can not be kept in boiling water, as after this method of processing the vegetable loses its unique color.

Popular recipes for cooking onion marinade
Every housewife will be able to add to the collection of favorite dishes with recipes for pickled red onions, which are offered below.

For a salad

Most vegetable and meat salads are prepared with the addition of the spicy vegetable. More often than not, hostesses add fresh root vegetables, cut into rings and cubes. But the taste of the appetizer will only benefit if the onion is slightly soaked in a marinade. Such a procedure will take very little time, and the preparation will require a minimum set of products:

• table vinegar - 70 ml;
• water - 0.3 l;
• onions - 3 medium sized heads
• granulated sugar - 3 tablespoons;
• salt.

Sequential cooking process:

1. First, peel the bulbs, wash them, cut them into the right shape.
2. Put the blanks in a jar.
3. Now prepare the marinade. To do this, in a separate bowl, stir salt and sugar in water, and then put the container on the fire. When the liquid reaches the stage of boiling, pour the vinegar. The marinade should boil for 10 seconds, then pour it onions in a jar.
4. Close the jar with a tight lid, and when the contents cool, ready to add onions to the salad, pre-press the marinade.

Quick cooking option

You can use the "cold" method of marinating the spicy product.

Basic ingredients:

• Red onion - 3 heads;
• salt - 1 tsp;
• vinegar - 100 ml (if using 70% essence, it is necessary to dilute with water);
• water - a glass
• sugar - 70-80 grams;
• spices - as desired.

Algorithm of culinary actions:

1. Combine all the above ingredients with water.
2. Place the onion sliced in half rings in a jar.
3. Pour the marinade prepared, put it in the fridge for 30 minutes.
4. After that, add pickled onions to any salads.

Note: Soft vinegar (wine, apple, rice) is more suitable for onion marinades. A harmonious combination is obtained by adding lemon or pomegranate juice.

For kebabs

Shish kebab connoisseurs advise using fresh onion juice while cooking the popular dish. But if you marinate the vegetable properly and then season the meat with it, the taste of such an appetizer will delight even gourmets.

List of products:

• onion - 2 large heads of red variety;
• water - 0,2 l;
• salt - to taste;
• table vinegar - 3 tablespoons.

The whole cooking process comes down to elementary actions:

1. Pour a water-vinegar solution and salt the vegetable sliced into rings.
2. The spicy product should marinate overnight. If you extend the soaking time up to three days, the taste of pickled onions will be brighter.
3. Drain the marinade before using it for its intended purpose.
4. Onion rings together with the meat to put on a skewer, but you can serve them separately to the finished meat dish.

Useful tip: In the process of cooking kebab on the grill marinade can be sprinkled on the meat. In this case the shashlik will be more juicy and delicious.

Hot marinade

This method is also great for a traditional picnic dish, if there is a planned trip to the countryside.

To prepare an onion marinade with amazing flavor will require:

• allspice - 3 pcs;
• onions - 5 heads;
• bay leaf - 1 pc;
• cloves - 2 buds;
• black pepper - 3-4 peas;
• water - a glass
• sugar - 80 grams;
• salt - to taste;
• mustard seeds - ½ tsp;
• vinegar - 70 ml.

How to prepare:

1. Chop the onion.
2. Mix dry spices in a bowl, add water.
3. Heat the composition on low water, but do not boil.
4. Pour the slices with the prepared marinade. After an hour and a half the onion addition will be ready.

For herring.

Onions with herring is a classic tandem. There are different variants of marinating, but the list of ingredients in all cases remains the same: they are onions, salt, vinegar and sugar. But each recipe is characterized by its own norm of the named products. Experienced cooks advise using balsamic or grape vinegar, because those types are less aggressive. A good alternative to vinegar is lemon or pomegranate juice.

Cold marinade for herring is prepared from the following set of products:

• red onion - 2 heads;
• water - a glass;
• vinegar - 30 ml;
• sugar - 10-15 grams;
• salt - 4 grams.

Preparation process:

1. Chop the spicy vegetable, rinse with boiling water and immediately pour cold water.
2. In another container, combine the remaining ingredients.
3. Now add the marinade to the onions. Leave it for half an hour.
4. Then add the ready pickled onions to the herring.

Recipe with Sunflower Oil

Most hostesses like to make herring with onions and vegetable oil. This popular option will require the following ingredients:

• vegetable oil -250 ml;
• red onion - 4 heads;
• salt - 10-15 grams;
• vinegar - 50-60 ml;
• sugar - 25 gr;
• black pepper - as desired.

Cooking sequence:

1. For this recipe, cut onions as thinly as possible. Immediately billet steeped in boiling water and immediately cooled with water.
2. Mix in another bowl all the above ingredients, and then pour this mixture onion slices so that they are completely immersed in the marinade.
3. After two hours, add the dressing to the herring.

Important: With moderate consumption, pickled onions will not harm your health, but such dishes should not be fond of people who have problems with the stomach.

Onions pickled with mustard

This option is also great for herring appetizers.

Product set for this original recipe:

• Onions - 3 heads;
• sugar - 2 tbsp;
• mustard (powder) - 1 tsp;
• salt - 2 tbsp;
• vinegar - 2 tbsp;
• water (warm) - 350 ml.

How to cook:

1. Cut the onion into sticks or rings.
2. Mix mustard with water, salt and sugar, add vinegar.
3. Shredded onions put in a jar, and top the whole mass pour marinade. Cover the jar with a lid.
4. In half an hour the pickled vegetable will be ready. Before using as intended, drain the brine.

For the winter

In general, onions together with vinegar make a perfect composition. Harvested for the winter product by one of the following recipes will become a valuable vitamin supplement, and if the housewife is very busy, will accelerate the process of cooking. For long-term storage, it is better to prepare red onions in a glass container.

Classic preserving recipe.
List of necessary ingredients:

• onion - 2 heads;
• fresh dill - a small bunch;
• sugar - 2 tsp;
• salt - to taste;
• cooled boiled water - a glass;
• vinegar (apple vinegar is better) - 50 ml.

Step by step cooking process:

1. Dill rinse well, finely chop.
2. Onion, too, cut into rings or straws. Some housewives like to marinate the vegetable cut into four pieces.
3. Combine the onion base with the dill, mix.
4. The next step is to prepare the marinade. To do this, add sugar and salt to the water. Send the vinegar last, when the loose components are completely dissolved in water.
5. Pour the onion base with the ready marinade.
6. Cover the jar with a lid and put it in the cold for a long time.

The appetizer will look more attractive if you combine red and white onions.

Note: This variant of cooking pickled vegetable will also be suitable for short-term use. In this case, the product will reach full readiness after a day. Before serving, put the onions in a colander to drain the excess liquid.

A snack with spices

Lovers of spicy snacks will definitely appreciate this version of the pickled vegetable. As in the previous recipe, this preparation can be prepared for long-term storage or used immediately.

Set of products:

• Onion - 3 heads;
• vegetable oil - 30 ml;
• vinegar - 15 ml;
• hot water - 0,4 l;
• coriander (seeds) - 1 tsp;
• garlic - 3 cloves;
• laurel - 2 leaves;
• peppercorns - 4 units;
• salt and sugar - 1/2 tsp. each.

When the set of necessary products will be ready, you can proceed to the preparation of a delicious snack that will brighten up the diet and saturate the body with vitamins for a long winter.

The sequence of the process:

1. Start with the main ingredient - onions. Each head is peeled from the husk, washed, cut into any shape.
2. Onion slices then carefully distribute in jars, not tamping.
3. After each layer, add garlic cloves.
4. In a separate bowl prepare the marinade according to this scheme: first stir coriander, pepper, sugar and salt with bay leaf, then add the liquid components to the dry spices. Pour the vinegar last.
5. With the ready marinade pour the onion mass in jars so that the vegetable is completely immersed in the brine.
6. Immediately close the jars with sealed lids. Shake each container well a couple of times.
7. When the marinade cools, put the jars with blanks for storage in the refrigerator or basement room. The sample can be taken after a day, but it is better to wait a week, so that the pickled onions acquired a rich, pungent taste.

Note: You should not abuse the spices, because the high concentration of spices will later overpower the flavor of cooked dishes.

Versatile version

This way of preparing pickled red onions will be a valuable acquisition for every housewife, because such a product can be added to any salad, herring under a fur coat or to make burgers.

The main ingredients:

• onions - 0.4 kg;
• water - 200 ml
• sugar - 25 gr;
• salt - 10 gr;
• vegetable oil - 30-40 ml;
• vinegar - 30 ml
• garlic - 3-5 cloves;
• bay leaf, pepper, any other spices - as desired.

As you can see, the choice of products is almost the same as in the previous recipe. But this method of pickling is different in that it is necessary in advance to sterilize the jars well in the oven or "grandma's" method, that is over steam. The cooking scheme is as follows:

1. Prepared marinade of all the listed spices and liquid components to put on the fire.
2. When the brine begins to boil, remove the pot from the stove.
3. Fill the jars with onion slices with the hot marinade, and then immediately close with lids.

Onion snacks prepared this way can be stored in the basement for up to a year.

Useful tip: If the onions are small, they can be put in a jar whole or cut in half.

The fastest way

Products:

• onions - 2 heads;
• water - 0,2 l;
• honey - 2 tsp;
• beets - ½ root vegetable;
• mustard in grains - ½ tsp;
• vegetable oil - 1 tbsp;
• salt and pepper.

How to cook:

1. Place the sliced onions in a deep container.
2. Pour warm water, then add honey, mustard and vinegar.
3. After that, cut julienne beets and also send them to the marinade.
4. Pour oil on top of everything, salt and pepper it.
5. Wait 20 minutes and you can take a sample.

Note: Marinated onions prepared according to this recipe will make an excellent company of hot drinks and sliced slices of lard with layers.

Onion appetizer with wine

Spicy vegetable combined with red dry wine makes a harmonious composition. The result is an original product with a refined and even noble taste. And the preparation of such a spicy delicacy also does not require unnecessary effort and time.

List of products:

• wine (red) - 200 ml;
• onions - 2 heads
• black pepper and salt - as needed;
• sugar - ¼ tbsp.

Preparation step by step:

1. Onion slices define in a deep bowl, salt, add sugar.
2. Pour the contents of the dishes with wine, and cover the top with a lid.
3. Leave the onions in the wine marinade for 2 hours. Cooked in this way vegetable will complement a kebab, perfectly suitable for vegetable salads. The rest of the brine can be sprinkled on the meat while cooking kebabs.

Red onions in lemon juice

This recipe will suit those who do not like the presence of vinegar in dishes. The product set is almost the same as the options already described here. Only instead of vinegar in this case, half a lemon is taken.

Algorithm of action:

1. Cut a large onion of any red variety in rings or slices.
2. Pour the slices into a bowl and sprinkle the whole mass with freshly squeezed lemon juice. Season the marinade with pepper.
3. Dissolve salt and sugar in a glass of water.
4. Pour the mixture over the onion slices.
5. The last thing to add is vegetable oil (1-2 tbsp.). After half an hour, pickled onions are ready.

Important: When choosing a preservative, you should always proceed from the characteristics of the dish to be cooked: balsamic vinegar is more suitable for chicken, and for salads and vinaigrettes - fruit varieties or lemon juice.

Onions in apple marinade with herbs

This is a great summer option that will work for everyone.

Ingredients per hundred gram serving of red onions:

• apple cider vinegar - 10 ml;
• vegetable oil (unrefined sunflower is better) - 1 tsp;
• salt - a little bit;
• pepper - as desired;
• parsley, dill, you can additionally take other types of spicy vegetation.

Cooking sequence:

1. Cut thinly ringed onion immediately combine with chopped greens.
2. Spicy products mix well, add salt and pepper.
3. Put the dish with the preparation for 5 minutes in the refrigerator.
4. Before serving, add first the vinegar and then the oil.
5. Stir well again and leave for another 5-10 minutes.
6. Prepared in this simple way pickled red onions can be added to vegetable salad, herring, or just a juicy layer to spread on a toasted piece of bread.

Storage features for preserves

All of the recipes that have been described here are chosen with the optimal combination of the main ingredients. Therefore, all prepared versions of pickled red onions have high taste characteristics. With proper storage of the finished product, the savory onion snack will retain all of its useful properties. Here are a few tips to help preserve the inherent crunch and tangy flavor of the fresh spicy vegetable:

1. The ideal container for storing onion marinade is a ceramic or glass jar. Since plastic and metal quickly react to oxidation with vinegar, utensils made of these materials should not be used for long-term storage of any pickled products.
2. The shelf life of a snack in a domestic refrigerator is from 2 to 4 weeks. All recipes where the method of cold pickling is applied, at the output give a nutritious vegetable product with excellent taste qualities.
3. Preserves for the winter, sterilized, do not lose their nutritional value during the year.
4. After opening the jar to use its contents for a few days, the maximum shelf life of the product - 2 weeks.
5. Each portion of the preparation before adding it to the dishes should be slightly squeezed to remove the excess marinade.
6. And one more tip that will help to cook onions without tears: before slicing peeled heads should be kept in the freezer for 10 minutes.

To summarize, it is easy to conclude that red onions in any marinade can change the taste of holiday and everyday dishes. Crunchy rings awaken a healthy appetite and improve the secretion of gastric juice. Therefore, such an additive in any combination of combinations will be of great benefit, if there are no serious pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.

Photo of pickled red onions