Pickled red onions are our new favorite meal add-on! They’re easy-to-make, packed full of valuable nutritional elements, and they’re a tasty replacement to most unhealthy condiment options out there.
What makes pickled red onions so healthy?
Red onions are rich in folate, or vitamin B9, which can improve cardiovascular health and reduce your risk of a stroke. Our pickled red onions contain many other vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C. Incorporating nutrient-dense foods such as red onions into your diet can also help improve the immune, nervous, and digestive systems of your body.
Apple cider vinegar is beneficial for every day use, on or off the Clean Program. It can help with digestion and general immunity.
Pickled red onions for a digestive boost
Fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut or pickled red onions contain high amounts of good probiotics and digestive enzymes. Maintaining a healthy gut flora can aid your digestion and overall energy levels. Fermented foods can even improve the quality of your skin as many skin disorders such as acne can be traced back to the gut.
How pickled foods fit on the plate
Fermented foods are often seen alongside heavier, dense dishes — think bratwurst and sauerkraut, bibimbap and kimchi, or a burger with a classic pickle on the side. Eating fermented foods can help prepare your body for digestion and these veggies become essential (along with a good digestive enzyme) when heavier foods are introduced.
Pickled red onions pair perfectly with a hearty quinoa dish, healthy chicken sliders, or even on top of a bowl of heartwarming soup. The sweet and sour taste of pickled red onions can help you feel fuller longer and reduce sugar cravings that often hit in the late afternoon.
Learning how to pickle vegetables is a great way to add creativity and healthy taste to your favorite recipes to impress your friends and family while making them healthier, too.
Prep time: 30 minutes to overnight
Ingredients:
1 large red onion
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon coconut palm sugar
pinch sea salt
Optional ingredients:
1 sliced jalapeno or ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 crumbled bay leaf
1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, dill, or parsley
1 garlic clove minced
Directions:
Slice the red onion ¼ inch thick or less. Use your hands to break up the onion, removing the inner core/sprout.
Whisk together the pickling liquid and seasonings of choice.
Pour over the onions, toss well and let stand for a minimum of 30 minutes. Toss a few times whenever you can. This can be made the day before and left in the fridge to pickle overnight.
The onions are ready when they shrink down and are quite soft. Store refrigerated in an airtight container and use within a week.
Recipe and photography by Clean Team
If you enjoyed this article, we recommend checking out 7 Foods That Boost Collagen for Youthful Skin
FAQs
What makes pickled red onions so healthy? Red onions are rich in folate, or vitamin B9, which can improve cardiovascular health and reduce your risk of a stroke. Our pickled red onions contain many other vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C.
How long are pickled red onions safe to eat? ›
Set aside to cool to room temperature, then store the onions in the fridge. Your pickled onions will be ready to eat once they're bright pink and tender - about 1 hour for very thinly sliced onions, or overnight for thicker sliced onions. They will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Are pickled onions good for your heart? ›
The average person consumes roughly 20 pounds of this pungent and versatile food per year, eating onions raw, cooked, pickled, or powdered. They're rich in chemicals that can help protect your heart, lower your risk of some cancers, and make it easier for your body to make insulin.
Does pickling onions make them easier to digest? ›
They do not only add great flavour, a beautiful freshness and spiciness, but they also help support digestion. I often have a hard time digesting raw onions. It often upsets my stomach and makes me feel bloated. Pickled Red Onions are a great way to enjoy onions without any digestive upset.
Do pickled onions raise blood sugar? ›
These pickled red onions are easy to make, add a delicious zing to just about any dish, and are blood sugar friendly.
Are pickled red onions good for your liver? ›
It's an antioxidant that benefits the liver and helps protect against cancer 4. Contain many nutrients such a phosphorus, potassium, folate/vitamin B9 5. Can reduce sugar cravings .
Is it bad to eat a whole jar of pickled onions? ›
Is it bad if you eat too many pickles? Yes. They contain way too much salt which makes a burden on your kidneys and may cause or worsen high blood pressure. Not a healthy choice.
Are jarred pickled onions healthy? ›
Pickled onions, for example, can be a beneficial part of a healthy diet. The pickling process does use a large amount of salt and sugar, but when eaten in moderation and considering the fact that pickled vegetables retain their nutritional values, they can be included in your diet.
How many pickled onions for 5 a day? ›
Pickled gherkins and pickled onions
They might be made from vegetables, but these don't count because they almost always have sugar and/or salt added. There can be big differences between products and brands, so if you're buying pickles, check the label and choose the one with the lowest salt and sugar.
Which onion is the healthiest? ›
Red and yellow onions are richer in antioxidants than other types. In fact, yellow onions may contain almost 11 times more antioxidants than white onions ( 25 ). Cooking can significantly reduce levels of some antioxidants ( 26 ).
It is far better to accompany a cholesterol-laden meal with a pickled onion than nothing at all. Studies have shown that eating an onion daily can help to raise the level of beneficial cholesterol (HDL) in the blood, as well as lower blood pressure and prevent clots.
Do pickled onions help you sleep? ›
Onions are also rich in L-tryptophan, which is an amino acid that acts as a natural sedative. Onions can not only help you fall asleep but can also help to keep you asleep throughout the night.
How do onions affect your bowels? ›
Onions may cause symptoms of gastrointestinal upset, such as heartburn, bloating, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting, in susceptible individuals, which may aggravate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in affected individuals. These symptoms are relatively more common when eating onions raw rather than cooked.
Can I eat pickled onions every day? ›
Pickled Onions - Healthy, But Not Your Best Friend
The qualifier for both answers is one word; moderation. An onion's nutritional benefits have long been known, and in many cultures, they are a dietary staple eaten daily.
Is drinking pickled onion vinegar good for you? ›
Was this helpful? Drinking pickle juice might sound gross, but there are several reasons to consider it. It is hydrating and may help with muscle cramps, blood sugar, and gut health, among other benefits. Athletes have been sipping this briny beverage for years.
Are pickled onions OK on a diet? ›
Pickled onions are low in calories and can add flavor to meals without contributing significantly to overall calorie intake. However, they should be consumed as part of a balanced diet alongside other nutrient-rich foods for weight loss.
