Where to Buy Pickled Red Onions (and 8 Ways to Use Them)

Pickled red onions are the easiest way to make everyday food look and taste like it came from a good restaurant. That bright pink tangle on top of a taco or a grain bowl? That is the move. The only problem is that making them yourself every week gets old fast, and good ready-made jars can be surprisingly hard to find.

Here is where to buy pickled red onions, what to look for, and eight ways to use them once you have a jar.

What do pickled red onions taste like?

It depends on the jar. Some pickled red onions lean sweet, made more like a relish. Ours sit firmly in our Sour family: a clean, sharp vinegar tang that cuts through rich food rather than adding sugar to it. The raw onion bite softens in the brine, so you get onion flavour without the harshness, plus a gentle crunch.

Where to buy pickled red onions

The grocery store

Some larger grocery stores carry pickled red onions near the olives, in the condiments aisle, or in the refrigerated section. Selection varies a lot by store and region, and many jars are small.

Taquerias and delis

Plenty of restaurants make their own, and some will sell you a container if you ask nicely. Great in a pinch, but they will not keep long.

Farmers markets

Small picklers often bring pickled onions to market. You get to taste before you buy, which is a real advantage.

Online, direct from the maker

This is the most reliable way to get the same jar every time, shipped to your door. You can order The Pickled Red Onions directly from us: 17 oz glass jars, made in small batches in Atlanta, with free US shipping on 2 or more jars.

What to look for in a jar

• Sweet or sour? Check the description. Sour onions are more versatile with savoury food; sweet ones suit sandwiches and cheese.
• Jar size. If you use them often, a small jar disappears in a week. Ours are 17 oz.
• Glass and a resealable lid. Glass keeps flavours clean, and you will be opening this jar a lot.
• Shelf life. Vinegar-brined, shelf-stable jars are easy to keep on hand. Ours keep up to two years unopened; refrigerate after opening.
• Short ingredient list. Flip the jar and read it. You should recognise everything.

8 ways to use pickled red onions

1. Tacos of every kind

Carnitas, fish, barbacoa, black bean: tacos are the natural home for pickled red onions. The sour bite balances rich, fatty fillings and the colour makes the plate pop.

2. Burgers and smash burgers

Swap raw onion for pickled. You get the onion flavour without the harsh bite, and the tang cuts the richness of the patty and cheese.

3. Grain and rice bowls

A pinch on top of any bowl, from burrito bowls to Mediterranean bowls with hummus and roasted vegetables, wakes the whole thing up.

4. Avocado toast

Smashed avocado, flaky salt, chili flakes and a few pickled onions. Breakfast, upgraded in five seconds.

5. Salads

Toss them into a green salad, a potato salad or a simple tomato and cucumber salad. A splash of the brine whisked with olive oil makes a quick dressing.

6. Sandwiches and wraps

Turkey, roast beef, chicken salad, falafel wraps: pickled onions add crunch and acid to anything between bread.

7. Eggs

Scatter them over scrambled eggs, breakfast tacos, shakshuka or deviled eggs. The tang and colour are made for each other.

8. Grilled meats and barbecue

Pile them next to pulled pork, brisket, grilled chicken or steak. Sour onions are the classic partner to smoky, rich meat.

Pickled red onion FAQ

Are pickled red onions the same as pickled shallots or pearl onions?

No. Pearl onions are small whole onions, usually pickled for cocktails, and shallots are milder and sweeter. Sliced red onions are the ones you want for topping tacos, bowls and sandwiches.

Why are pickled red onions pink?

The colour comes from the red onion itself. As it sits in the brine, the purple skin colour bleeds into the slices and the liquid, which is why the whole jar turns that bright pink.

How much should I use?

Start with a small pinch per taco or sandwich. Sour onions are bold, and a little brings a lot of brightness. You can always add more.

Pair it with

Since free shipping starts at two jars, here are a few natural partners for a taco night or a burger night:

• The Heat and Sweet: red jalapeños with sweetness up front, great on tacos and pizza.
• The Spicy Carrots: habanero heat (3 out of 5) and a big crunch, made for tacos.
• The Vintage: our medium-sour classic dill, for the burgers.

Explore more in our Pickled Vegetables and Sour collections.

Get the jar

Small-batch, made in Atlanta, rated 4.9 out of 5 across 280+ reviews.

The Pickled Red OnionsSharp, sour and bright. Tacos, burgers, bowls.Shop · $16.95The Heat and SweetRed jalapeños, sweet first. Taco night partner.Shop · $16.95The Spicy CarrotsHabanero heat and a big crunch.Shop · $16.95