A simple recipe forMexican Pickled Onionusing red onion and lemon juice as a base. A very popular spice in Mexico for tacos, tostadas, tortas and more!

These aromatic scarlet gems are full of flavor and add a delicious crunch to any dish. Regardless of how you choose to serve these onion slices, they will steal the show!
My pickled onion recipe is very simple and quick; just marinate them in fresh lemon juice and voila! Many recipes call for curing the onions in boiled water first, but I skip all of that because I feel it takes away from the delicious flavor that red onions provide.
Why this recipe works
- Sohealthy: Red onion is rich in fiber, vitamin C, potassium, among others. this recipe isnaturallythe sin of glutenand no fat!
- Soquickly and easily: Preparation time is only 10 minutes or less!
- Versatile:This condiment goes well with many Mexican and other dishes that go well with pickled onions, such as salads, sandwiches, charcuterie and cheese boards, hamburgers and hot dogs, avocado toast, and more!

Ingredients
The ingredient list is so simple that you probably already have everything on hand!
- Red onion:White onions can be replaced, but it will not be the same. Red onions are better for pickling.
- fresh limesfor his juice. Limes are the best healing ingredient!
- vinegar:We don't need much. Opt for apple cider vinegar, but white vinegar or rice vinegar will also work.
- Kosher o marSalfrescoblack pepper.
Do you love citrus recipes as much as I do? look at meceviche shrimp,ceviche rybneor mineaguachile. They are fresh and so good!

Featured comment (people can't get enough!):
"It's wonderful! We've been using this recipe for a few months now. A few months because it's PERFECT!!! We've tried countless recipes over the years trying to replicate the flavor we get in Mexico. Never! Until we found yours. We go from never to when... we want. Thank you very much!"
Miguel K.
How to make Mexican pickled onions
This is a visual description of the steps to make this recipe. See the detailed ingredient list and instructions in the recipe card below.

- Start by slicing the onion into thin slices with a sharp chef's knife or mandolin.

- In a large glass bowl or jar, add the onion, salt, and pepper.

- Squeeze the lime juice by hand or with a citrus squeezer.

- Then toss to combine, making sure the onion is well coated.
- Chill at least 30 minutes before serving. Shake or toss the onion at least once during curing. This will ensure that all the onions are covered in juice and marinated evenly.
- Taste before serving and season with salt if needed.

Tips and Notes
- Make sure thatuse a glass containerbecause metal and plastic are not good solutions for curing in lemon juice. Acidity does not suit these materials.
- uselemon/lime squeezerto extract as much lime juice as possible.
- Use enough lemon to cover the entire chopped onion.
- It's okay if some lime pulp is mixed with the brine. Adds a nice texture!
variations
- Want to add spice? Chop up a few jalapeño or habanero peppers and add them to the mixture. Red pepper flakes also add a delicious kick!
- Add some steamed carrots or radishes.
- Finely chop a handful of fresh cilantro and sprinkle on the onion.
- Make Sweet and Savory Pickled Onions: Add a few tablespoons of honey or maple syrup to the vinegar mixture for a bit of sweetness. Add red jalapeno pepper flakes.
- Sprinkle some Mexican oregano for a herbal flavor.
Serving suggestions

Here are a few ways to enjoy this perfect crunchy citrus treat in your favorite Mexican dishes:
- WPibil pig tacos! Onions are a must-have seasoning in these tacos.
- as an embargoa fight,pork patties,Meat tacos, inshrimp tacos.
- to addnaczos, burritos or your tacos.

How to store
- Refrigerator:Transfer the onion to a clean, airtight glass jar, such as a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Make sure the onion is completely submerged in the pickling liquid to preserve its quality. Consume within 5 days for best taste.
- Freezer:I do not recommend freezing pickled onions.
frequent questions
Can the remaining (liquid) brine be reused?
If the remaining lime brine is still fresh (the onions are eaten in about a day), yes, you can add more onions to pickle them in the same liquid.
Can I make them with lemon juice instead of limes?
Limes are the preferred citrus for curing, but you can use lemons if that's all you have. However, keep in mind that onions will not "heal" as well as with fresh limes.
Can I use white vinegar? I don't have apple cider vinegar.
If you can! Any mild vinegar will do.


NextspicesAttempt:
Try one of my delicious sauces, dips and dressings…. Always simple and delicious!
- Cream chipotle
- White cheese dip
- Chamoy
- Hummus with coriander and jalapeno
- chimichurri
Hope you like this recipe! Share it or leave a rating and comment below. For questions that require an immediate response, pleasecontactI will reply you as soon as possible.Gracia!!!!xx, ana
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Recipe for Mexican pickled onions
portions2 cups
Ana Frias
4,92z60wishes
preparation time10minutes minutes
total time10minutes minutes
PRINTBALL RECIPELEAVE A COMMENT
it's fastMexican Pickled OnionThe recipe is very simple, no cooking required! These onions are a great addition to most Mexican dishes and more. Come and find out how easy it is to make these quick and easy pickled onions.
2cups
Ingredients
- 1 Red onion peeled and cut into thin slices
- 4 pyramid many
- 1 Spoon Apple vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher room
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Instructions
Cut the onion into thin slices with a sharp chef's knife or mandolin.
In a large glass bowl or jar, add all ingredients and stir to combine, making sure the onion is well covered.
1 red onion,4 pyramids,1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar,1 teaspoon kosher salt,½ teaspoon of freshly ground pepper
Chill at least 30 minutes before serving. Shake or toss the onion at least once during curing. This will ensure that all the onions are covered in juice and marinated evenly.
Taste before serving and season with salt if needed.
Video
Very tasty notes:
- Make sure thatuse a glass containerbecause metal and plastic are not good solutions for curing in lemon juice. Acidity does not suit these materials.
- The onion will turn a deep pink color the longer it is cured in the lime juice. I usually make them the evening before the planned serving.
- For optimal taste, they should be consumed within 1 week in the refrigerator and stored in a glass container.
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Nutrition
Work:1cup|Calorie:27kcal|Carbohydrates:7gram|Sodium:141miligramry|Potassium:94miligramry|Fiber:2gram|Sugar:2gram|Football:10miligramry|Hierro:2miligramry
Nutrition information and US conversions are automatically calculated. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data. If this is important to you, check it out with your favorite nutritional calculator and/or unit conversion tool.
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FAQs
How long do pickled onions last in vinegar? ›
Let the pickled onions cool to room temperature (about 20 to 30 minutes), at which point they should be sufficiently pickled for serving. Cover and refrigerate leftover pickled onions for later. Quick-pickled onions are best consumed within three days, but they keep for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
Why do you soak onions in salt water before pickling? ›Before you begin to peel and trim them, prepare a large bowl of salty water (brine). This draws moisture out of the onions and softens them ever so slightly before pickling. (A dry brine is used when crisper onions are required.)
How do you cut the vinegar taste in pickled onions? ›Vinegar. Taste: white vinegar is most often used in pickling recipes for its bright, acidic, and tangy flavor. We add water to this recipe in order to mellow out the sourness.
How long do quick pickled onions last? ›About Quick Pickles
Pickled onions can last in your fridge for up to 3 weeks. This recipe is not designed to be canned—if you will be canning, find a recipe specifically designed for canned pickled onions instead of quick pickled.