If you’ve never made quick pickled onions at home, let me just say — you are seriously missing out. They’re one of those tiny upgrades that make everything taste better. And this Quick Spicy Pickled Onion recipe? It's simple, fast, and adds the perfect punchy, tangy heat to basically anything.

We’re talking about a 5-minute stovetop situation here: a little water, some pickling vinegar, maple syrup for a hint of sweetness, kosher salt for balance, and a good hit of dried chili flakes for that slow-building heat. That’s it. No complicated steps, no canning gear needed, just a few pantry staples and a jar.

These Spicy Pickled Onions are total game changers for sandwiches, salads, tacos, burgers — even scrambled eggs if you’re feeling wild. Plus, they keep beautifully in the fridge, so you can have a jar ready to go whenever you want to turn an average meal into something way more exciting. Let’s get into it, because once you make these, you’re never going back.

• Water
  Just good old tap water works here. It helps mellow the vinegar a little and ensures the onions stay crisp without being too harshly acidic.
  
  

• Pickling Vinegar
  Go for a pickling-specific vinegar if you can (usually around 7% acidity) — it’s a little sharper and gives a better tang than regular white vinegar. Perfect for a quick pickle!
  
  

• Maple Syrup
  A pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup) adds a touch of natural sweetness that balances out all the acid and heat. Bonus points if it’s local!
  
  

• Kosher Salt
  Kosher salt dissolves quickly and gives you cleaner, less “salty” flavor than table salt. If you have to substitute, scale down a bit — it’s less dense.
  
  

• Dried Chili Flakes
  These bring the slow burn! Go for a good quality dried red chili flake. You can adjust up or down depending on how spicy you want your Spicy Pickled Onions.

• Small saucepan

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Whisk or spoon

• Heatproof jar or container with lid

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These Quick Spicy Pickled Onions bring a bright, punchy heat to sandwiches, tacos, salads, and more. Ready in just minutes with simple ingredients you already have at home!

And there you have it — a ridiculously easy way to add a punch of spicy, tangy magic to basically everything you eat. These Quick Spicy Pickled Onions are one of those little tricks that instantly make your meals feel fancier (with almost zero effort). Once you try them on your favorite sandwich, salad, or taco, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without a jar in your fridge. Seriously, go make these!