Red onion + vinegar: 5 deliciously tangy combos to savor
What's the story
Red onion and vinegar are like the culinary equivalent of a superhero duo. This dynamic pairing is super versatile, bringing a tangy twist to salads, sandwiches, and more. In this article, we're dishing out five tasty ways to pair red onion with vinegar. Get ready to level up your meals with these tangy twists!
Pickling
Quick pickled red onions
Pickling red onions in vinegar is a quick and easy way to add a tangy crunch to your meals. Just thinly slice the red onions and let them sit in a mixture of vinegar, water, sugar, and salt for a minimum of one hour. Not only does this process tame the onion's sharpness, but it also infuses it with a bright acidity that pairs perfectly with tacos, burgers, and salads.
Dressing
Sweet and sour dressing
To make a delicious sweet and sour dressing, finely chop the red onion and mix it with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper. This combination enhances salads by contrasting the balsamic's sweetness with the vinegar's acidity. Plus, it adds a nice crunch to fresh greens, making it the perfect dressing option.
Chutney
Caramelized onion chutney
Caramelizing red onions with a splash of apple cider vinegar transforms them into a rich chutney ideal for cheese platters or as a spread on sandwiches. Simply saute sliced onions until they are golden brown; then deglaze the pan with apple cider vinegar and add sugar for sweetness. The result is a savory chutney with just the right amount of acidity to balance out rich flavors.
Marinating
Vinegar marinated steak topping
Elevate your steak by topping it with red onions marinated in sherry vinegar. Simply slice onions thinly and let them marinate in sherry vinegar combined with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper for a minimum of two hours or overnight. The sherry vinegar's sharpness mellows upon contact with the heat of the grilled steak, providing a delicious counterpoint to the meaty savoriness with a hint of vinegary bite.
Salsa
Tangy salsa twist
Add finely chopped red onions to salsa after soaking them in white wine vinegar. This infuses them with flavor, lightly pickles the onions, and mellows their bite, allowing them to harmonize beautifully with the tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapenos. The result is a vibrant, tangy salsa that's the perfect accompaniment to your favorite Mexican dishes.