Why make this recipe
Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions add a sweet, spicy, and tangy bite to many dishes. They brighten tacos, salads, and sandwiches. They take little time and give big flavor. If you like quick, useful extras for meals, try this simple pickle. You can also try an easy 4-ingredient banana bread recipe for a simple dessert to serve alongside.
Introduction
This recipe uses only a few ingredients and a short cook time. You heat the vinegar and honey, pour it over thin red onion slices, and let them rest. The onions soak up the hot honey flavor and become crisp and tasty. They are ready in about an hour and keep well in the fridge.
How to make Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions
Make sure your onion slices are even. Heat the vinegar and honey mix until the honey dissolves. Pour the hot mix over the onions so they are covered. Let them cool, then chill at least one hour. For another quick, easy snack idea, try the 2-ingredient bagels in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients :
2 medium red onions, thinly sliced, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup honey, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Directions :
In a saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, honey, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Heat over medium heat until the honey dissolves., Place the sliced red onions in a jar or bowl., Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the onions, ensuring they are fully submerged., Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving., Enjoy on tacos, salads, or as a topping for sandwiches!
How to serve Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions
Serve them cold or at room temperature. Add them to tacos for a bright bite. Put them on salads for sweet heat. Top grilled cheese or burgers with them for extra crunch and flavor. They also work well on avocado toast or roasted vegetables.
How to store Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions
Store in a clean, sealed jar in the fridge. They keep well for up to 2 weeks. Use clean utensils each time so they stay fresh. If the liquid drops low, add a little more vinegar to cover the onions.
Tips to make Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions
- Slice the onions thin for fast pickling.
- Warm the vinegar mixture until the honey dissolves, do not boil hard.
- Use a clean jar and press the onions down so the liquid covers them.
- Let them cool fully before sealing the jar to keep the fridge cold.
Variation
- Make milder pickles: use less red pepper flakes.
- Make spicier pickles: add a small sliced jalapeño or extra flakes.
- Use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar for a sharper taste.
- Swap honey for maple syrup for a different sweet note.
FAQs
Q: How long until these pickles are ready?
A: They are ready after about 1 hour in the fridge, but taste better after a few hours or overnight.
Q: Can I use white vinegar instead?
A: Yes. White vinegar works but the flavor will be sharper than apple cider vinegar.
Q: Will they soften too much if I leave them long?
A: They will stay slightly crisp for 1–2 weeks. After that they get softer but still taste good.
Q: Can I use yellow onions instead of red?
A: Yes, but red onions give the best color and a mild, sweet taste.
Conclusion
These Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions are fast, tasty, and very useful. They lift simple meals with little work. If you want to pair them with a spicy chicken dish, try the Hot Honey BBQ Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken recipe for a match of sweet and heat. For another quick pickled onion method to compare, see this Quick Pickled Red Onions guide.
Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions
Ingredients
Pickling ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar Provides acidity and flavor.
- 1/2 cup honey Adds sweetness; can substitute with maple syrup for a different flavor.
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes Adds heat; adjust to taste.
- 1 teaspoon salt Enhances flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Adds depth of flavor.
Onions
- 2 medium red onions, thinly sliced The main ingredient that provides texture and flavor.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, honey, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Heat over medium heat until the honey dissolves.
- Place the sliced red onions in a jar or bowl.
- Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the onions, ensuring they are fully submerged.
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Serving
- Serve them cold or at room temperature. Add them to tacos for a bright bite, on salads for sweet heat, or topped on grilled cheese or burgers for extra crunch and flavor.