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    Home » Indian » Pickle

    Indian Pickled Onions | Sirke Wale Pyaaz

    Published: Feb 19, 2023 by Rachna ·

    Jump to Recipe
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    These Indian pickled onions or sirke wale pyaar is a tasty side or salad served along with Indian meals. They are really delicious with a sweet, tart taste that enhances any meal.

    These are Indian restaurant style pickled onion commonly served in dhabas or Indian restaurants. You will find them served in a jar with your meal or with tandoori chicken.

    It is also common in Indian homes along with meals. These also are great in wraps, tacos or sandwiches.

    I always make them with red onions. They acquire a beautiful pink hue after getting pickled.

    This the best pickled red onion recipe. It is super easy too.

    The recipe is super simple and only requires slicing the onions and immersing them in a simple pickling solution. 

    Then leave them in the fridge and they are ready to eat in a few hours.

    Pink pickled sliced onion in a mason jar in pickling solution.

    You may also like: pickled beets, North Indian mango pickle, No oil lemon pickle.

    Ingredients

    1. Onion: Red onions work the best in these due to their gorgeous colour. They lose their sharp bite after pickling.

    2. Vinegar: Plain white vinegar is mostly commonly used in this recipe. I also love the taste of apple cider vinegar so I’ve ended up using that.

    3. Salt and sugar: Both are important for pickling solution balance. You may also use brown sugar instead of regular sugar.

    4. Spices: I have used whole peppercorns here. Feel free to skip that or you can also use coriander seeds. 

    5. Chillies: chillies add a bit of punch. I have used two slit chillies. You may use Serrano chillies or even skip them.

    Ingredients for pickled onions: Sliced onion, slit chillies, peppercorns, salt, sugar, water and apple cider vinegar.

    Variations

    This is a vegan recipe that is also gluten free. You can add more whole spices here.

    Even other vegetables like sliced cucumber and beetroot could be added here.

    This recipe can also be made with pearl onions or shallots that are left whole.

    Serving suggestions

    These North Indian pickled onions are deliciously crunchy with a tart taste that is balanced by sweetness. 

    1. Side: They are served as a small salad or side along with dal, rotis, sabzi and rice. They complement any Indian meal well.

    2. In sandwiches, tacos, nachos or wraps: They provide a burst of fresh tart flavour and crunch to your wraps, sandwiches or tacos.

    3. In hot dogs and burgers: Pickled onions add a nice acidic touch in hot dogs and burgers.

    4. In salad: Brighten any salad by adding them generously both for their lovely colour and their flavour.

    5. With kebabs and tikkas: These pickled onions pair beautifully with chicken tikkas, tandoori chicken, tandoori shrimp.

    6. With chole: Indian chickpea curry or chole tastes great with a side of pickled onions.

    7. With deviled eggs: They pair very well with deviled eggs.

    8. In rice bowls: They pair so well in rice bowls with curry, rice and sautéed veggies for a pickled element.

    Close up of pickled onions in a white bowl

    Tips

    1. Red onions are the best for making pickled onions, as their lovely pink color is enhanced after pickling.

    2. Slicing onions makes them pickle evenly and they look pretty too. You may also use whole shallots here.

    3. They are ready to consume in just 2 hours. Their flavour deepens as they sit longer in the pickling solution. 

    4. They should be stored in the refrigerator and can last for weeks that way.

    5. You can prepare more batches of pickled onions with the same pickling solution. Just add more sliced onion once you finish off the current batch.

    6. I prefer storing them in air tight glass mason jars. Always ensure that these jars are clean and sterilised.

    7. The picking solution always uses vinegar and water with salt and sugar for balance.

    Whole spices and herbs like bay leaves, peppercorns and garlic along with chillies enhance flavour.

    Instructions

    Using a sharp knife or mandolin, finely slice a large onion or two medium red onions.

    If using a chilli slice it.

    Prepare pickling solution

    Heat 1 cup water in a pan. Add 1 teaspoon salt and sugar each. Heat till they dissolve. Now turn off the heat.

    Add 1 cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar to the salt and sugar solution.

    This is your pickling liquid.

    Pickling solution in a pan on gas stove.

    Take a clean mason jar or glass jar.

    Add sliced onions and green chillies or garlic (if using). Add any herbs or whole spices if using.

    Sliced onion with green chillies in a mason jar.

    Now add the prepared warm pickling solution till the top of the jar.

    Onions and green chillies in a mason jar with pickling solution till top.

    That’s it. Screw on a cap and put in the refrigerator.

    The pickle gets pinkish in color which deepens with more pickling time.

    Your crunchy tart and tasty pickled onions are ready to eat. Enjoy.

    Here's the recipe card:

    Pickled pink onions in liquid in a mason jar

    Indian Pickled Onions | Sirke wale Pyaaz

    Rachna Parmar
    These Indian pickled onions are delightfully crunchy, tart and tasty. Perfect as a side salad. You will love these sirke wale pyaaz
    5 from 44 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 3 mins
    Cook Time 1 min
    Pickling time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 4 mins
    Course Pickle | Side
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 8
    Calories 19 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Chef's knife
    • 1 Mason jar

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 large red onion sliced or shallots
    • 2 green chillies slit
    • 1 tsp. Peppercorns

    Pickling solution

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
    • 1 tsp. Salt
    • 1 tsp. Sugar

    Instructions
     

    • Using a sharp knife or mandolin, finely slice a large onion or two medium red onions.
    • If using a chilli slice it.

    Prepare pickling solution

    • Heat 1 cup water in a pan. Add 1 teaspoon salt and sugar each. Heat till they dissolve. Now turn off the heat.
    • Add 1 cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar to the salt and sugar solution.
    • This is your pickling liquid.
    • Take a clean mason jar or glass jar.
    • Add sliced onions and green chillies or garlic (if using). Add any herbs or whole spices if using.
    • Now add the warm pickling solution till the top.
    • That’s it. Screw on a cap and put in the refrigerator.
    • The pickle gets pinkish in color which deepens with more pickling time.
    • Your crunchy tart and tasty pickled onions are ready to eat. Enjoy.

    Video

    Notes

    1. Red onions are the best for making pickled onions, as their lovely pink color is enhanced after pickling.
    2. Slicing onions makes them pickle evenly and they look pretty too. You may also use whole shallots here.
    3. They are ready to consume in just 2 hours. Their flavour deepens as they sit longer in the pickling solution.
    4. They should be stored in the refrigerator and can last for weeks that way.
    5. You can prepare more batches of pickled onions with the same pickling solution. Just add more sliced onion once you finish off the current batch.
    6. I prefer storing them in air tight glass mason jars. Always ensure that these jars are clean and sterilised.
    7. The picking solution always uses vinegar and water with salt and sugar for balance. Whole spices and herbs like bay leaves, peppercorns and garlic along with chillies enhance flavour. 8. Traditionally white vinegar is used, but I have used apple cider vinegar, as I like its flavour more.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 19kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.04gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 280mgPotassium: 51mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know on Instagram @rachna.parmar or tag #rachnacooks
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    If you liked this recipe, I request you to leave a star * rating. Thanks.

    More Pickle

    • Gobhi Shalgam Gajar Ka Achaar Recipe
    • North Indian Aam Ka Achar Recipe | Indian Mango Pickle North Indian Style
    • Instant Green Chilli Pickle | Hari Mirch ka Achaar
    • हरी मिर्च का अचार | Green Chilli Pickle Recipe in Hindi

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Healing Tomato says

      February 20, 2023 at 3:40 am

      5 stars
      We grew up eating this pickled onions, but I haven't had it in years. When I saw your recipe, it was a trip down memory lane. I ran into the kitchen and made it immediately. These onions are EXACTLY like I had in my childhood. So easy and so delicious!

      Reply
    2. Ksenia says

      February 20, 2023 at 7:24 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve had my share of Mexican pickled onions, but this was my first time making pickled onions with an Indian flare, and I loved it! They were really fragrant, and the colour was beautiful

      Reply
    3. Gen says

      February 20, 2023 at 10:00 pm

      5 stars
      These were truly delicious. I’m a big pickle fan and the addition of something spicy made these really wonderful. I need to make more ASAP!

      Reply
    4. Shilpa says

      February 21, 2023 at 4:19 am

      5 stars
      I have always loved sirke wale pyaz in dhabas back in India but never attempted to make them at home. This recipe was absolutely perfect and gave the exact same taste and texture. Thank you.

      Reply
    5. Kris says

      February 27, 2023 at 9:59 pm

      5 stars
      The chiles were delicious in this! I will be making another batch tomorrow...gotta have these on hand now! 🙂

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        February 28, 2023 at 9:10 am

        So glad to hear that! Thanks Kris.

        Reply

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