Name: Unbelievably Tasty Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions in 15
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 red onion, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar; 1/4 cup water; 2 tablespoons hot honey; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Jump to Recipe

Okay, so, pickled onions, right? They’re like the unsung hero of the condiment world. You can throw ’em on practically anything and BAM! Instant flavor explosion. I used to be a purist, just vinegar and onions, but then I discovered hot honey. Seriously, people, game changer!

I was drizzling it on pizza one night (don’t judge!) and thought, “Hmm, I wonder…” The result? These ridiculously addictive Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions. Trust me, they’re stupid easy to make, and they’ll elevate your tacos, your sandwiches, even just a plain old salad. It’s like…leveling up your food, you know? My family begs me to make a batch every week. I’m telling you, these little guys are the secret weapon your kitchen’s been missing!

Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions - detail 1

Why You’ll Love These Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions

Quick and Easy Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions

Seriously, you can whip these up in, like, 15 minutes flat. I mean, come on! Most of that time is just letting them cool down. Talk about instant gratification!

Sweet and Spicy Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions Flavor

Okay, so my favorite part is the sweet-heat combo. The hot honey gives you that amazing sweetness with a kick, and then you can add extra red pepper flakes if you’re feeling extra spicy. It’s seriously addictive!

Versatile Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions Condiment

These babies are good on EVERYTHING. Tacos? Duh. Sandwiches? Obvi. Salads? YES! Burgers? Absolutely! Even on a fancy charcuterie board to impress your friends. Trust me; you’ll find a million uses for ’em.

Ingredients for Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions

Red Onion

You’ll want 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced. I mean *thinly*! Red onion is my go-to ’cause it’s got that nice bite and pretty color, but hey, use what you like!

Hot Honey

Gotta have that hot honey! Two tablespoons should do it. You can totally buy it at the store now, but if you’re feeling fancy, you can even make your own. I usually just buy it, though, because, well, time!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Half a cup of apple cider vinegar is what gives these Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions that classic tangy flavor. It’s the key to pickling, after all!

Sweet and Spicy Elements

Okay, so here’s where we fine-tune. You’ll need 1 tablespoon of sugar to balance the vinegar, 1 teaspoon of salt to, you know, bring out all the flavors, and a 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you want some extra zing. The red pepper flakes are totally optional, but trust me, they add a little somethin’ somethin’!

Water

Last but not least, 1/4 cup of water. This just dilutes the vinegar a bit so it’s not *too* overpowering. Gotta have that balance!

How to Make Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions: Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Onions

Okay, first things first: those onions! You’ll want to slice that red onion as thin as you possibly can. I’m talkin’ paper-thin, people! If you’ve got a mandoline, now’s the time to break it out. Seriously, it makes life SO much easier. But if not, just use a sharp knife and take your time. Even slices are key, trust me!

Make the Hot Honey Pickling Brine

Next up, the magic potion! Grab a saucepan and dump in your apple cider vinegar, water, hot honey, sugar, salt, and those red pepper flakes (if you’re using ’em). Now, put it over medium heat and let it come to a simmer. Don’t let it boil, okay? Just a gentle simmer. Stir it until the sugar and salt are totally dissolved. You don’t want any grainy bits in your Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions!

Pickle the Red Onions

Alright, now for the fun part! Toss those thinly sliced red onions into the saucepan with the hot honey brine. Give ’em a good stir so they’re all coated. Let ’em simmer for just ONE minute. Seriously, just one! You don’t want them to get all mushy. We’re just softening them up a bit. Then, take the saucepan off the heat.

Cool and Store the Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions

Now comes the hard part: waiting! You gotta let those Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions cool down completely. As they cool, they’ll get more and more pickled – that’s where the magic happens! Once they’re cool, transfer them to an airtight container (a mason jar works great!) and pop ’em in the fridge. They’ll keep for up to two weeks, but trust me, they won’t last that long!

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Tips for the Best Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions

Adjusting the Sweetness and Spice

Okay, so taste is totally personal, right? If you like things extra sweet, add a little more hot honey. And if you’re a spice fiend like me? Go wild with the red pepper flakes! Just add a pinch at a time and give it a taste until it’s perfect for *you*.

Choosing the Right Vinegar

I’m an apple cider vinegar kinda gal, but hey, don’t let me boss you around! White vinegar will give you a sharper, tangier flavor. Rice vinegar is milder and sweeter. Just experiment and see what you like best! Honestly, you can’t really mess it up.

Slicing the Onions Evenly

This might seem like a small thing, but trust me, it makes a difference! If your onion slices are all different thicknesses, some will be super pickled and others will still be crunchy. Not ideal! So take your time and try to get those slices as even as possible. Or, you know, just use a mandoline. Seriously, those things are lifesavers!

Serving Suggestions for Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions

Tacos and Sandwiches

Okay, so picture this: juicy carnitas tacos piled high with these Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions. I’m drooling just thinking about it! Or how about a grilled cheese with some sharp cheddar and a generous helping of pickled onions? Seriously, the possibilities are endless!

Salads and Burgers

These little guys are amazing on a simple green salad with a vinaigrette. They add that sweet and tangy pop that just brightens everything up. And don’t even get me started on burgers! Forget regular onions; these pickled red onions are the *only* way to go. Trust me!

Charcuterie Boards

Wanna impress your friends? Throw these Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions on a charcuterie board with some creamy brie, salty prosciutto, and crusty bread. The sweet and spicy flavor is the perfect complement to all those rich, savory flavors. It’s like, instant fancy!

Storing Your Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions

Proper Storage

Alright, so you’ve made your Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions, and you’re not gonna eat ’em all at once (though I wouldn’t blame you if you did!). Pop ’em in an airtight container – a mason jar is perfect – and stash ’em in the fridge.

Shelf Life

These babies will keep for up to two weeks in the fridge. But honestly? They’re usually gone way before then! Just make sure they’re always submerged in the brine. If you see any weird stuff growing, though, toss ’em. Better safe than sorry!

Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions

Can I use a different type of onion for these Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions?

Okay, so red onions are my fave for this recipe because they’ve got that great color and a bit of a bite. But hey, if you’re not a red onion fan, or you just don’t have any on hand, you can totally use white or yellow onions. Just keep in mind that they’ll be a bit milder in flavor. Some people even use shallots! Experiment and see what you like best!

How long do Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions last?

Alright, so these Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions will stay good in the fridge for up to two weeks. Just make sure they’re stored in an airtight container and that they’re always submerged in the brine. If you see any mold or anything funky growing, toss ’em! But seriously, they’re so good, they probably won’t last that long!

Can I make Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions without red pepper flakes?

Totally! The red pepper flakes just add a little extra kick, but they’re not essential. If you’re not into spicy food, or you’re making these for kids, just leave ’em out. They’ll still be super delicious!

Are these Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions spicy?

Well, they’ve got a little bit of a kick from the hot honey and (if you use them) the red pepper flakes. But they’re not, like, burn-your-face-off spicy. More like a nice, gentle warmth. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with a smaller amount of hot honey and skip the red pepper flakes altogether. You can always add more later if you want!

Nutritional Information for Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions

Okay, so just a heads-up: I’m no nutritionist! The nutrition info for these Hot Honey Pickled Red Onions can vary a lot depending on the exact ingredients you use, so don’t take it as gospel, okay?