How long do pickled onions last?

There’s something about pickled onions that can take your meal from savory to delicious with just a few slices.

These delicious little condiments are made with a mixture of vinegar, salt, sugar, and water, so every bite is spicy, sweet, and tangy.

The world of food blogging loves pickled onions and you may have seen a few recipes popping up here, there and everywhere and been tempted to try one. I say do it.

You won’t be disappointed in the final product, but you may be wondering how long your onions will last.

How long do pickled onions last?

The answer depends on the preparation. Quick-pickled onions will last 2-4 weeks in the fridge, while vacuum-pickled onions can last up to 2 years in the pantry. Once opened, you must transfer them to the refrigerator and consume them within a month.

Read on to find out what pickled onions are, how long they last in the fridge or pantry, and a recipe for making your own quick pickled onions at home.

What are pickled onions?

I love pickled onions! They are one of my favorite seasonings in the kitchen, as they can take any meal from good to exceptional thanks to their bright, fresh, and spicy flavor.

Regardless of the type of pickled onion you like, they are all made with at least vinegar, salt, sugar, and onion.

Other flavors, spices, seasonings, and ingredients are often added to make them unique, but a basic pickled onion is preserved (or pickled) with a mixture of vinegar, salt, and sometimes water.

If whole onions are used, they are usually boiled before pickling.

There are a couple different types of pickled onions that you can choose based on your preferences.

The first type is whole pickled onions, which are usually made from small pearl onions . They are great to eat on their own.

They are first boiled and then pickled in a hot solution of red wine vinegar, salt, sugar, coriander, mustard seeds, and black peppercorns. 

Another type of pickled onion that is very popular on cooking blogs all over the web is the pickled red onion. This is versatile and can be used in salads, in tacos, in wraps, sandwiches, as a garnish, the options are virtually limitless.

Instead of a whole red onion, these onions are thinly sliced and pickled in a vinegar, salt, and sugar solution.

I often do a very rapid boil of the onions in the solution to give them a little softness, but this step is not necessary if you prefer a little more crunch to your onions.

How long do pickled onions last in the fridge?

The thing about pickling food is that it is technically a method of preserving food that helps prevent it from spoiling. Store-bought pickled onions  generally keep longer than homemade.

When it comes to storing your homemade pickled onions in the fridge, there are a couple of guidelines you can follow.

Remember that if you see any mold growth, it is safest to throw out the entire jar to avoid any food poisoning or illness.

• Generally, once opened, most people allow 2-3 weeks before the onions go bad. It seems to me that you can extend this time by another 1-2 weeks, as long as you use a clean utensil when removing the onions from the jar to avoid any contamination. 
• You can also help your onions last longer by keeping them in the coldest part of the fridge. That means keeping them on one of the shelves instead of on the door, since the door is exposed to warmer air every time you open the fridge. 

Store-bought pickled onions may last longer in the fridge, as they will have extra preservatives added to the mix to keep them from spoiling.

They will usually last a couple of months, as long as no other food particles or bacteria are introduced that could contaminate them.

Basically, homemade pickled onions will last 2-4 weeks in the fridge, while store-bought ones can last 2-3 months after opening.

Always be sure to check the expiration dates on store-bought foods. And if there is mold, throw away the whole jar.

How long do pickled onions last in the pantry?

One of the nice things about pickled foods is that they can be stored without refrigeration and remain safe and edible for a long time.

That said, any recipes you find online that don’t take the step of properly sealing the jar, like you would when making regular pickles, won’t have the long shelf life of their canned cousins.

Once you’ve gone through the cleaning process on the jars (boiling the pickled onions in the jars until the lids pop off before storing), they will last about two years in your pantry.

Once opened, you should put them in the fridge, where they should be consumed in about 2-4 weeks.

If you haven’t done the specific preserving and pickling process, it’s probably safer to store your pickled onions directly in the fridge.

When foods are kept at room temperature and not boiled to completely seal the contents under vacuum, they can continue to ferment and grow bacteria.

Not all bacteria that grow in this state will be beneficial, so to avoid illness, any quick-pickled onions that have not been vacuum-sealed should be kept in the fridge for safety and freshness.

What is the best way to store pickled onions?

The best way to store pickled onions will depend entirely on how they have been prepared and sealed and whether they are homemade or store bought.

The best way to store homemade pickled onions is, without a doubt, in the fridge.

Since these recipes don’t typically boil the jars to vacuum seal the contents, they are prone to bacterial growth and contamination if left out at room temperature for long periods of time.

Store your Homemade Quick Pickled Onions in the fridge for about 2-4 weeks for the freshest flavor.

Remember to use a clean utensil whenever you take them out of the jar and store them in the coldest part of the fridge (avoid the door).

The best way to preserve store-bought pickled onions is in the pantry until you break the vacuum seal. They will last about 2 years in the pantry (unless the expiration date indicates otherwise).

Once the jar is opened, put it in the fridge and use it in a couple of months to prevent it from spoiling.

If you’ve gone through the process of vacuum sealing your homemade pickled onions, then you can keep them in the pantry for up to 2 years.

Again, once opened, you should transfer the jar to the fridge and use them within a month.

How to make pickled onions quickly

Now that you know how to properly store your pickled onions, let’s learn how to make our own quick pickled onions in the comfort of our own kitchens.

This recipe is great to use in tacos because the lime adds an extra touch of freshness and zest.

Ingredients

• 1 red onion, peeled and cut into thin slices
• 1 garlic clove, cut into thin slices 
• 1/4 cup of sugar 
• 1.5 teaspoons of salt
• 1/2 cup of red wine vinegar 
• 1 lime, juice and zest 
• water to cover 

Instructions

• Add the thinly sliced red onion to a medium bowl.
• Stir in garlic, sugar, and salt until completely coated. You can give them a light tap with a wooden spoon to soften the onion and garlic a bit.
• Add the red wine vinegar, lime zest and juice, and enough water to cover the onions. 
• Stir the entire mixture well and gently crush the onions to soften them further.
• Let the mixture sit at room temperature for about 1 hour before enjoying it. You can then transfer the leftovers to a clean glass jar.
• Place the pickled onions in the fridge and use within 2-4 weeks. 

You can get creative with this recipe and use other types of vinegar, such as apple cider, white wine, or rice.

You can also add different herbs, such as cilantro and green onions, to the mixture for even more flavor. And if you like it spicy, chop up a jalapeño and add it.

When it comes to pickled onions, your options are only limited by what you have on hand and your taste buds, so enjoy experimenting until you find your perfect pickle recipe.