Description
These easy homemade pickled cocktail onions are perfect for garnishing a Gibson martini, Bloody Mary, or serving on a relish tray. The onions are simmered in a flavorful brine with spices and then refrigerated to develop their distinct tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor.
Ingredients
Spices
- 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1/4 teaspoon whole allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon whole juniper berries (about 4 or 5)
- 1 crushed bay leaf
Onions
- 8 ounces pearl onions, not frozen
Brine
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pickling salt
Instructions
- Add spices to jar: Add the black peppercorns, whole allspice, juniper berries, and crushed bay leaf to a wide-mouth pint or quart jar to infuse the pickling brine with aromatic flavors.
- Prepare onions: Peel the pearl onions carefully and trim off the ends while keeping the onions as whole as possible for a better texture when pickled.
- Make and heat brine: In a small saucepan, combine water, distilled white vinegar, granulated sugar, and pickling salt. Bring to a light boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar and salt completely.
- Simmer onions: Add the peeled onions to the boiling brine and let them simmer for 1 minute, allowing the onions to absorb the flavors and slightly soften.
- Pack onions in jar: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the onions into the prepared jar with spices. If using a pint jar, pack them tightly to fit as many as possible.
- Add brine and remove air bubbles: Pour the hot brine over the onions in the jar until they are fully submerged. Use a chopstick or similar tool to gently release any trapped air bubbles, then top off with more brine if needed.
- Cool and refrigerate: Let the jar cool to room temperature before sealing with a lid. Place it in the refrigerator and allow the flavors to meld for at least 2 days, though the taste improves after a week or even two.
Notes
- Pickling salt is a fine grain salt specially made for pickling; you can substitute fine sea salt if unavailable.
- Ensure onions are peeled carefully to maintain their shape and texture.
- The onions develop better flavor the longer they sit in the brine, so patience improves the end result.
- Use wide-mouth jars for easy packing and cleaning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
