It’s coming up to Christmas and one of the things that we love in our house is pickled onions. They are just beautiful when served up with leftovers such as gammon ham and bubble and squeak on boxing day. They are also nice and easy to do and if you have a day spare a few weeks before christmas then you can get a some jars ready. You can take round as a pressie to friends when you are visiting, it’s nice to turn up with something a bit different.
I was lucky enough this year to have the help of my two boys and we had a great time sitting together peeling the onions.
Hope you enjoy the recipe and the joy of making them.
What you will need:
1kg small onions for pickling
Tablespoon of salt
800ml malt vinegar
Black peppercorns (optional)
Dried chilli flakes (optional)
Glass jars
Sieve/colander
Some little helpers (optional but lots of fun)
What you need to do is:
*top tip…. Your house and your clothes are going to smell of onions, think about what you are wearing and even consider putting on plastic gloves.
Ensure your jars are clean and sterile. I washed my thoroughly then popped in a preheated medium oven for 5 minutes then left to cool.
Now the next task is either pretty mundane or pretty therapeutic depending on how you view it. You have to peal each individual onion and gently slice off the base so that it still holds its shape but loses the tough root area.
Once they are all peeled, place in a colander and sprinkle the salt over them. Leave for 6hrs or overnight if possible. This will draw out excess water and give you crunchy pickled onions.
Rinse well in cold water and pat dry with kitchen roll.
Take your jars and pop the onions into the jars. You will need to push them about a little to get the maximum amount in and utilise the space well.
This is the time you can use some extra spices depending on your taste. I did one jar with a quarter teaspoon of dried chilli flakes to add some heat to the onions. Peppercorns are also a good addition.
When you have filled up all of your jars you can pour over the vinegar right to the top making sure they are all covered.
Put the lid on tight and you are then ready to label them.
Pop on the date, type of vinegar used and any little extra spices you’ve added to the mix.
Leave to mature for at least 4 weeks but best after 6. They should keep for up to a year unopened. Once opened store in the fridge and eat within 4 weeks. It’s home-made so times may vary slightly depending on your own preserving conditions. The main thing is…enjoy!
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These look lovely. My Dad can’t have a proper Christmas without pickled onions, I might have a go at these and surprise him. #PicknMix xx
Making pickled onions is so on my bucket list! I L O V E T H E M!!!
I guess I have been scarred by my disastrous pickled eggs experience! ;-0
#HolidayFoodie
give it a go:)
i never thought of pickling my own onions, these look delicious! #familyfun
Thanks:) x
oh it is funny I love them, but have never even considered how they are made, I guess I thought they magically appeared in a jar lol, I love this idea of creating our own and having fun with my kids in the kitchen as they love any cooking #mg
Lol most things do just appear like magic in my kitchen too, shame the washing up doesn’t disappear ? x
What a fun & easy recipe to make as a family coming up to the holidays! I love the jars you picked, they are really cute. Thank you for sharing with us at the #HolidayFoodie linky xx
Thank you:)
I looove picketed onions and eggs for that matter. Well anything pickled. I think I am going to sonny own this year too – I’ll be sure to use this recipe the Mr would love the twist of chilli flakes! Thanks for sharing at #familyfun xx
I can’t wait to see how hot ours are this year:)
I have never tried my hands at pickles but I can start with this simple one.Thanks. #familyfun
Me and my husband love pickled onions, but I never did it myself. It looks easy, so maybe I’ll try it out these year. Love the idea to add some chilli in it! #BloggerClubUK
Yep it’s nice and easy, good luck 🙂
I love pickled onions, j tried growing onions a couple of years ago that didn’t really work so we pickled them. They were delicious! Great post! Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
Thank you:) and thanks for hosting:)
Oh my goodness, I’ve never thought to make pickled onions but love them! Fab recipe, will give it a go A x #mg
Good luck with them:)
OH my gosh, Pickled onions are my favourite snack, ever since I was young, and my little boy loves them too! I can just imagine how much he’d love to make his own! Thanks for sharing xx #eatsleepblogrt
My boys had a great time helping I’m sure he’d love it!:)
I love love love pickled onions and one Christmas ate so many I made myself sick. I’ve never made them before but this makes me want to try. Thank you for linking up to #EatSleepBlogRT ?
Oh brill, not about the sick but about maybe giving them a go?thanks for commenting x
I LOVE pickled onions! Like seriously, LOVE them. I could eat a full jar and then some! Never made my own but I think I’ll give it a go! #mg
Oh you should try it, you can have your own stash just for you 🙂
That is really quite an easy process. Thanks for the good tutorial.
Kathleen
Bloggers Pit Stop
Thanks Kathleen:)
I’ve never had a pickled onion before, I think I need to give them a shot! #EatSleepBlogRT
Pickled onions are my fave thing, but they never work out like my mum’s used to!! I’ll definitely be giving this a try! #EatSleepBlogRT