The main thing you need to pickle onions is plenty of time, otherwise it is quite straightforward!

pickled-onions-pink

• most people use shallots for pickled onions
• make a brine solution by dissolving 8oz of salt in 4 pints of water
• skin the onions – using a stainless steel or silver knife – as they will discolour
• cover the onions in a cold brine solution for at least 24 hours. Place a dish over the top of the onions to make sure they are covered with brine. The brine draws the water out of the onions & makes them crispy.
• drain the onions from the brine
• fill a clean, sterilised jar with onions & cover with spiced pickling vinegar

pickled-onion-jars

The spiced pickling vinegar can be of any flavour & it is worth trying a few different ones.

It is possible to buy spiced pickling vinegar, or you can make your own using a different vinegar (cider, wine, raspberry vinegar etc) & add your own combination of spices. Pre-mixed pickling spices can be found in supermarkets, or you can add your own combination of chillies, ginger, pepper, mustard seeds etc..

Topper-pickled-onions

It is very easy to pickle onions, just time consuming! But a jar of home-made pickled onions is a treat – or an excellent gift or Christmas present.