How to make Pickled Red Onions

Published: Sep 5, 2014 · Updated: Aug 23, 2019 by Mely Martínez

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Pickled onions are prepared in several ways in Mexico. For example, in the Yucatan area, it is made with pickled white onions and habanero or Xcatic peppers. Garlic and other herbs and spices can also be added. There are other recipes that are easier and quicker, where you just slice or chop the onion and add salt and lemon to macerate.

Pickled Red Onions

In Mexico, the states of Zacatecas, Chihuahua, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, Baja California and Michoacán are the main producers of onion. White onion comprises 85-90% of the harvest, while red and yellow onions average 7% and 3%, respectively. Growing up, I didn't see that much red onion at home, since red onions are more common in the cuisine of the southern states.

How to make Pickled Red Onions | Mexican Food Recipes (2)

It was until I went to live in the south back in 1980 that red onions became a part of my everyday cooking. Red onions are a staple in the cuisines of the State of Yucatan and other states in the Yucatan peninsula. In these states, it is common to served pickled onions (pickled with vinegar, bitter orange, or lemon) at the table when eating stews or other traditional dishes from that region.

Yes, we Mexicans like onions a lot, so much that the average person in Mexico consumes about 12 pounds of onions each year. We eat them in salsas, stews, pickles, and soups, either raw, cooked, grilled… well, you get the idea.
What follows is my own quick and simple recipe for making pickled onions, or in Spanish: “cebollas curtidas”.

DIRECTIONS:

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Toast Mexican oregano in a small skillet over medium-high heat for about 30 seconds. Set aside to cool.(Please check the ingredients list below)

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Peel onions and thinly slice them. Place 4-5 cups of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
When water starts bubbling, add sliced onions, and turn the heat off.
After 2 minutes, quickly drain the onions into a colander over the sink.
Place the drained onions in a glass bowl and add the vinegar, water, oregano, bay leaf and the rest of the spices. Season with salt and mix well. Refrigerate for a couple of hours, and they are ready to eat.

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Enjoy with your tacos, tostadas, subs, sandwiches or grilled meats.

If you enjoy thisrecipe, maybe you will also enjoy this salsa:Xnipec Salsa

You can also find this recipe in Spanish:Cebollas Moradas Curtidas.

📖 Recipe

Pickled red onions

Mely Martínez

4.70 from 10 votes

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Ingredients

▢ 1 teaspoon dried Mexican Oregano
▢ 2 Medium-sized red onions
▢ About 4-5 cups of water enough to cover the onions
▢ 1 bay leaf Optional
▢ 2 Allspice kernels
▢ 3 kernels black pepper
▢ ½ cup of White vinegar* SEE NOTE
▢ ½ cup of water
▢ Salt to taste

Instructions

Toast Mexican oregano in a small skillet over medium-high heat for about 30 seconds. Set aside to cool.
Peel onions and thinly slice them. Place 4-5 cups of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
When water starts bubbling, add sliced onions, and turn the heat off.
After 2 minutes, quickly drain the onions into a colander over the sink.
Place the drained onions in a glass bowl and add the vinegar, water, oregano, bay leaf and the rest of the spices. Season with salt and mix well. Refrigerate for a couple of hours, and they are ready to eat. They keep well refrigerated for about a week. And they taste best when prepared at least one day in advance.
Enjoy with your tacos, tostadas, subs, sandwiches or grilled meats.

Notes

This recipe tastes better using a combination of 2 parts lime juice, 1 part orange juice and 1 part grapefruit juice instead of the vinegar. Since the original recipe is make using Seville bitter orange juice and it is hard to find outside of Mexico, and even in some states in Mexico, many cooks use vinegar as a substitute.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tbsp.Calories: 7kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 16mgPotassium: 25mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg

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Pickled Red Onions