When it comes to fasting-friendly recipes, simplicity and flavor are key. Balsamic pickled onions are not just easy to make but also add a delightful tangy sweetness to any dish, making them a perfect addition to your fasting menu. These onions will elevate your meals, helping you stay focused on prayer and reflection without compromising on taste.
❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe for balsamic pickled onions is inspired by the need for nutritious, easy-to-make meals during fasting periods. These onions are packed with fiber, vitamins, and a touch of protein, ensuring a balanced diet even when you're abstaining from meat and dairy. Plus, they're quick to prepare and loved by both adults and kids, making them a hit in any household. The balsamic vinegar adds a rich, sweet flavor that pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes, from salads to grain bowls, providing a burst of extra flavor that everyone will enjoy.
🥕 Ingredients
1. Key Ingredients
- 1 medium-large red onion - peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon peppercorns
- ¾ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¾ cup water
- 2-3 tablespoon maple syrup or sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
2. Variations
While sticking to the rules of fasting, you can try these variations:
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Replace balsamic vinegar with apple cider vinegar for a lighter, tangier flavor.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Swap balsamic with red wine vinegar for a deeper, more robust taste.
- White Onions: Use white onions instead of red for a milder flavor and a different visual appeal.
- Spices: Add a cinnamon stick or a few fennel seeds for an extra layer of flavor.
📋 Instructions
1. Step-by-Step Instructions
Slice the Onions:
Thinly slice the onion and transfer to a large glass container. Add the peppercorns over the top and set aside.
Prepare the Pickling Mix:
In a small pot, combine the water, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup (or sugar), Italian herbs, and salt. Stir well and bring to a simmer over medium heat. If using granulated sugar, ensure it dissolves completely.
Pickle the Onions:
Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the onions, ensuring they are fully submerged. Seal the container and shake gently. Let it cool on the counter for about an hour before transferring to the fridge.
Marinate:
For the best flavor, let the onions marinate overnight in the fridge. However, they can be ready to eat after one hour if sliced thinly with a mandoline.
2. Cooking Tips & Serving Suggestions
- Use a Sharp Knife: For evenly sliced onions, which helps in uniform pickling.
- Mason Jars: Use mason jars for storing, as they are airtight and ideal for pickling.
- Serving Ideas: These pickled onions are a perfect topping for salads or avocado toast.
🧊 Storage Instructions
Making A Batch For Later
Making A Batch For Later
- Large Quantity: Double or triple the recipe and use multiple jars to store your quick-pickled onions. These jars make a great addition to your pantry and are perfect for adding a lot of savory notes to various dishes.
- Sterilize Jars: If you plan to store the pickled onions for an extended period, sterilize the glass jars first. This helps in prolonging their shelf life and prevents contamination.
- Freezer Warning: We do not advise storing these balsamic pickled onions in the freezer. Freezing can affect their texture and flavor negatively, making them less enjoyable. Also, avoid making too much as they can only be stored in the fridge for a limited time—3-4 weeks at most. Make sure to consume them within this period for the best quality.
Storing Leftovers
Storing Leftovers
- Refrigeration: Store the pickled onions in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 weeks. For the best results, use a very clean glass jar, and consider sterilizing it if you plan to store the onions for longer periods. This ensures the onions stay fresh and flavorful.
- Longer Storage Tips: Ensure the onions remain fully submerged in the balsamic vinegar brine to prevent spoilage. Using clean utensils when handling the onions can also help extend their shelf life. This prevents any air bubbles from forming and keeps the onions well-preserved.
3. Making Use of Leftover Balsamic Marinating Brine
Don't let that delicious balsamic marinating brine go to waste! By utilizing the leftover balsamic marinating brine, you can create a delightful vinaigrette that adds a burst of flavor to your salads. This will make your fasting meals even more enjoyable and waste-free.
Here’s a quick recipe to transform it into a flavorful salad dressing
Ingredients:
- Leftover balsamic marinating brine
- Additional sweetener (as needed)
- 1 crushed clove of garlic
- A pinch of salt
- A little dijon mustard
- Optional: a tiny bit of avocado oil
Instructions:
- Whisk Together: Combine the leftover brine with more sweetener as needed, crushed garlic, salt, and dijon mustard. If you're adding avocado oil, include just a tiny amount to help emulsify the sauce.
- Adjust Taste: Whisk the mixture thoroughly and taste to adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Drizzle over a green lettuce or kale salad with cherry tomatoes, sweet snap peas, dollops of vegan ricotta cheese, and slivered almonds for a delicious and tangy dressing.
The tangy onions add a lot of savory notes to any side dish, making them one of your favorite appetizers.
🍽️ Side Dishes
The best match for this recipe is and fresh mediterranean salad.
This balsamic pickled onions recipe is a great way to enhance your fasting meals with minimal effort. The sweet and tangy flavor profile complements a variety of dishes, making it a versatile staple in your kitchen. Whether you're a busy parent or just looking for a quick pickled onions recipe, this dish is sure to become a favorite.
📝 Recipe Card
Easy Pickled Balsamic Onions: The Best Topper For Fasting
Ingredients
- 1 unit medium-large red onion peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon peppercorns
- ¾ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¾ cup water
- 2-3 tablespoon maple syrup or sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Slice the Onions:
- Thinly slice the onion and transfer to a large glass container. Add the peppercorns over the top and set aside.
Prepare the Pickling Liquid:
- In a small pot, combine the water, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup (or sugar), Italian herbs, and salt. Stir well and bring to a simmer over medium heat. If using granulated sugar, ensure it dissolves completely.
Pickle the Onions:
- Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the onions, ensuring they are fully submerged. Seal the container and shake gently. Let it cool on the counter for about an hour before transferring to the fridge.
Marinate:
- For the best flavor, let the onions marinate overnight in the fridge. However, they can be ready to eat after one hour if sliced thinly with a mandoline.
Video
Notes
Cooking Tips & Serving Suggestions
- Use a Sharp Knife: For evenly sliced onions, which helps in uniform pickling.
- Mason Jars: Use mason jars for storing, as they are airtight and ideal for pickling.
- Serving Ideas: These pickled onions are a perfect topping for salads or avocado toast.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Substitute balsamic vinegar with white vinegar or malt vinegar for a different flavor. Both will still make delicious quick pickles.
You can use fresh white onions or small onions. Adjust the slicing to ensure even pickling.
Store the pickled onions in a very clean glass jar in the fridge for 3-4 weeks. Ensure they are fully submerged in the vinegar mix to prevent spoilage.
Absolutely! Add mustard seeds, red pepper flakes, or a bay leaf to take your balsamic onions to the next level.
These easy pickled red onions are versatile. They are great on a charcuterie board, in grain bowls, or as a topping for avocado toast. They also pair well with cheese plates, adding a burst of flavor to your favorite appetizers.
Slice the onions thinly and evenly. Using a mandoline can help achieve uniform slices. Make sure to use hot water in your pickling liquid to help the onions pickle quickly and evenly.
Yes, their sweet and tangy flavor is generally loved by both adults and kids, making them a hit even with picky eaters.
Brown sugar works well, adding a deep molasses flavor. Experiment with other natural sweeteners if you prefer.
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Thierry
Hi Georgina,
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Thierry
Hi Maxie,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the article. Your encouragement means a lot to me and keeps me motivated to create more content. If you try the pickled balsamic onions, I'd love to hear how they turn out for you!
Best,
Thierry
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Thierry
Hi Violet,
I'm so happy to hear that you found what you were looking for! Your comment made my day. God bless you too, and I hope you have a fantastic day. If you have any more questions or need anything else, feel free to reach out. Bye for now!
Best,
Thierry
Kareem
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Thierry
Hi Kareem,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm thrilled to hear that you found the recipe helpful. It means a lot to me to know that my efforts are appreciated. I'm excited to share more fasting-friendly recipes with you soon. If you have any specific dishes or ingredients you're curious about, let me know, and I'll see what I can whip up.
Thanks again, and happy fasting!
Thierry