If you’re looking to add a quick punch of flavor and vibrant color to your meals, Gordon Ramsay’s Easy Pickled Onions Recipe is an absolute game changer. These pickled onions are tangy, slightly sweet, and perfectly crisp, making them the perfect companion to everything from burgers and tacos to salads and cheese boards. What’s best is how incredibly simple it is to whip up this recipe, resulting in a jar full of zingy, crunchy goodness that you’ll want to keep on hand at all times.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Gordon Ramsay’s Easy Pickled Onions Recipe lies in the simplicity and accessibility of the ingredients. Each component plays a vital role, enhancing the flavors and textures to create that irresistible balance of tangy and sweet pickle perfection.
- 1 cup White Vinegar: The acidic backbone that gives the onions their distinctive tang and preserves them beautifully.
- 1 cup Water: Used to mellow out the acidity of the vinegar for a perfectly balanced pickle.
- 1 tablespoon Cane Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness that softens the sharpness of the vinegar; honey can be substituted for a natural twist.
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps draw out the onion’s natural sweetness.
- 2 medium Red Onions: Their natural mildness and color make them ideal for pickling; smaller onions provide a sweeter bite.
- 2 Garlic Cloves (optional): Adds a gentle aromatic depth that complements the acidity.
- 1 teaspoon Mixed Peppercorns (optional): For a subtle spicy note that livens up the mixture.
How to Make Gordon Ramsay’s Easy Pickled Onions Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Onions
Start by peeling the red onions and slicing them thinly into rings or half-moons, depending on your preference. Thin slices soak up the pickling liquid faster, ensuring that in just a few hours, you’ll have that signature sweet and sour crunch that makes this recipe so addictive.
Step 2: Make the Pickling Brine
In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, cane sugar, and sea salt. Gently warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved. This simple syrup-like brine is what transforms the onions, infusing them with that iconic tangy zing.
Step 3: Add Aromatics
Place the garlic cloves and mixed peppercorns at the bottom of a clean jar or bowl. These little additions bring an extra layer of flavor that makes the pickled onions stand out, especially if you love a bit of spice and a garlicky kick in your bites.
Step 4: Combine Onions and Brine
Layer the sliced onions into the jar on top of the garlic and peppercorns, then pour the hot pickling brine directly over the onions. The warmth of the brine slightly softens the onions while ensuring all the flavors meld perfectly.
Step 5: Let the Magic Happen
Allow the jar to cool to room temperature before covering it tightly and refrigerating. While it’s tempting to dig in immediately, letting the onions rest for at least an hour—or overnight if you can wait—yields the best flavor and that delightful crunch everyone loves.
How to Serve Gordon Ramsay’s Easy Pickled Onions Recipe
Garnishes
These pickled onions are stunning as a garnish because they not only add an exciting burst of flavor but also a gorgeous pop of pink to your dishes. Try sprinkling them over grilled meats, sandwiches, or even soft cheeses for an instant upgrade.
Side Dishes
They pair beautifully with everything from barbecue plates to fresh salads. Their bright acidity cuts through rich, fatty foods and cleanses the palate between bites, making them a natural companion to dishes like pulled pork, roasted vegetables, or crispy fish tacos.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the pickled onions alongside charcuterie boards or mix them into creamy potato salad for a tangy flair. You can also chop and mix them into grain bowls or use them as a vibrant topping for avocado toast to elevate everyday meals effortlessly.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your pickled onions in a sealed jar or airtight container in the refrigerator. They keep wonderfully for up to 2 weeks, allowing you to enjoy the tangy goodness on demand without any fuss.
Freezing
Freezing pickled onions is not recommended because their texture will suffer, becoming mushy and losing their characteristic crunch. It’s best to make only as much as you can enjoy within a couple of weeks.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat pickled onions—these beauties are at their best cold or at room temperature. Just take them straight from the fridge and add them to your favorite meal for an instant flavor boost.
FAQs
How long do these pickled onions last?
When stored properly in the refrigerator, they remain fresh and flavorful for up to two weeks, making them perfect for meal prep or to keep on hand for spontaneous cooking adventures.
Can I use other types of vinegar?
Absolutely! White vinegar works perfectly, but feel free to experiment with apple cider vinegar for a fruitier note or even malt vinegar for a deeper flavor. Each variety gives the onions a unique twist.
Are the garlic and peppercorns necessary?
They are optional but highly recommended—they add wonderful layers of flavor and a subtle aromatic punch that transforms simple pickled onions into something extraordinary.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
This recipe is naturally vegan when using cane sugar or other plant-based sweeteners. Just avoid honey if you want to keep it strictly vegan.
How quickly can I eat the pickled onions?
While they’re best after sitting for at least an hour in the fridge, you can enjoy them as soon as they’re cooled down from the brine. For the fullest flavor and crunch, waiting overnight is ideal.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough how much Gordon Ramsay’s Easy Pickled Onions Recipe will brighten up your meals. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out in the kitchen, this recipe is simple, quick, and incredibly rewarding. Once you’ve made your first batch, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without these zesty, crunchy little flavor bombs. Get ready to wow your taste buds and impress friends with this delightful addition to your culinary repertoire!
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Gordon Ramsay’s Easy Pickled Onions Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 jars (about 4 servings per jar)
- Category: Condiment
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: British
Description
Gordon Ramsay’s Easy Pickled Onions recipe is a quick and flavorful way to add a tangy, sweet, and spicy boost to your meals. Using simple pantry staples like vinegar, sugar, and salt, combined with red onions and optional garlic and peppercorns, this recipe delivers vibrant pickled onions in just 15 minutes total. Perfect as a condiment or topping for salads, sandwiches, and grilled dishes.
Ingredients
Brine Ingredients
- 1 cup White Vinegar (or apple cider vinegar for a fruity twist)
- 1 cup Water (filtered is best)
- 1 tablespoon Cane Sugar (can substitute with honey)
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt (or regular salt)
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium Red Onions (small onions preferred for better sweetness)
- 2 cloves Garlic (optional for extra flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Mixed Peppercorns (optional for a spicy kick)
Instructions
- Prepare the onions: Peel and thinly slice the red onions into rings or half-moons, depending on your preference. Make sure the slices are uniform for even pickling.
- Make the brine: In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, cane sugar, and sea salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve completely. Remove from heat once the brine comes to a gentle simmer.
- Pack the jar: Place the sliced onions into a clean sterilized jar. Add the garlic cloves and mixed peppercorns if using, distributing them evenly among the onions.
- Pour the brine: Carefully pour the hot vinegar mixture over the onions in the jar, ensuring they are fully submerged. You can press down the onions gently if needed.
- Cool and refrigerate: Let the jar cool to room temperature before sealing with a lid. Refrigerate the pickled onions for at least 1 hour before use to develop flavor, though they taste best after 24 hours. They can be stored refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Using smaller onions ensures a sweeter, milder flavor in the pickled onions.
- Apple cider vinegar adds a fruity depth compared to white vinegar.
- Adding garlic and mixed peppercorns is optional but adds complexity and spice.
- Make sure the onions are fully submerged in the brine to prevent spoilage.
- Pickled onions last about 2 weeks refrigerated and should be kept in a sealed jar.
