This recipe for making Cocktail Onions is super easy! Made with pearl onions and a simple blend of spices, they are perfect for cocktails and to enhance the flavors of other dishes.
The sweet and tangy pickled flavor of cocktail onions adds depth of flavor to any main course, side dish, or drink! Mastering pickling them at home allows you to customize the flavors and make them your own.
The natural sweetness of the onions and the salty vinegar brine work wonderfully together. You can even enjoy them as a snack, too!
Onions are a fantastic ingredient that lifts so many dishes! Try Grandma’s Honey Glazed Onions or Smoked Onions next time.
What You’ll Love About This Cocktail Onions Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: All you need for this recipe are easy-to-find ingredients that you likely already have on hand.
- Customizable Flavors: Change the vinegar or spices to switch up the flavor of the cocktail onions.
- Easy to Make: There are minimal steps to make this tasty recipe.
Ingredients
This is a simple and budget-friendly recipe for cocktail onions that you can use for beverages or your favorite dish.
- Pearl Onions: These are my favorite variety for this recipe. They are mild and a little sweet compared to a white onion. Make sure they are fresh before pickling.
- Coriander Seeds: These seeds are also known as cilantro! They come from the same plant (you are probably familiar with the cilantro leaves). I love these when pickling because they add a lot of flavor to the brine.
- Vinegar: I use white vinegar and apple cider vinegar for this cocktail onions recipe. They add tanginess and sweetness to balance the salt.
- Sugar: Adding sugar balances out the salt and tang from the vinegar.
- Coarse Salt: Any pickling brine needs salt and I love coarse salt for this brine. You can also use Kosher salt if you prefer.
- Red Pepper Flakes: This is an optional ingredient that you can use if you enjoy a little spice.
See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact quantities of each one.
Variations
- Balsamic Vinegar: For extra sweetness, use balsamic vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar.
- Warm Spices: Fennel seeds, star anise, and allspice berries are some wonderful examples of tasty warm spices to change the flavor of the cocktail onions.
- Add Some Heat: Add diced or sliced fresh jalapenos for a kick or you can try a couple dashes our our homemade hot pepper sauce.
- Shallots: Use shallots instead of pearl onions. They have a milder flavor.
- Capers: If you enjoy sour and tangy flavors, try this recipe with capers!
How to Make Cocktail Onions
In just 5 steps, you will have prepared this pickled pearl onions recipe. The hardest part is waiting for them to be ready!
- Add pearl onions and coriander to a large jar.
- Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour the mixture over the onions.
- Seal and pickle for 3 days. Shake the jar a couple of times every day.
⭐️ Hint: Shaking the jar often while the onions are pickling ensures all of the ingredients remain mixed. The spices will settle after sitting!
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this pickled bologna recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some ways to enjoy pickled cocktail onions!
- You can make so many delicious drinks with cocktail onions. Add them to a traditional Bloody Mary, Gibson Martini, or as an extra garnish for a Pickle Shot.
- These made a great addition to any salad! Try adding these to this Tortellini Pesto Salad or my Lentil Feta Salad to make the flavors really pop.
- Did you know these onions are also extra tasty on sandwiches? Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches, Crab Cake Sandwich, and Provolone Grilled Cheese Sandwich all pair with them so well.
Tips
- Proper Storage: Keeping the jar of pickled pearl onions sealed tightly in the refrigerator is key to preserving their texture and flavor.
- Give Them Time: Don't try to rush things as letting the onions sit for at least three days before enjoying them enhances their flavor.
- Freezing Tip: While freezing is a terrific way to extend the life of cocktail onions, keep in mind that it will also slightly alter their texture.
- Keep the Brine: Use the vinegar for marinades or salad dressings!
- Storing: Since these onions aren't canned you must store them in the refrigerator before and after opening. They have a shelf life of about a month.
FAQ
The Gibson Martini is most known for its use of cocktail onions. It contains gin, dry vermouth, and sometimes a little of the pickling brine. Instead of your typical olive garnish, this martini is garnished with pickled cocktail onions to give it a savory flavor. You can also use them in any savory cocktail like a Bloody Mary can use them! Layer them for a flavor bomb or skewer as a garnish.
Traditionally, they are used in cocktails — hence their name. However, cocktail onions can also be used in various recipes from sandwiches to salads, or garnish a vegetable side dish.
Cocktail onions are small, pickled pearl onions that are often used in alcoholic beverages. They are crisp and sweet, pairing with the salty vinegar brine to create a tasty garnish for cocktails.
More Pickle Recipes
Do you like adding different types of pickles to your dishes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try:
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
How to Make Cocktail Onions
Ingredients
- 18 oz pearl onions
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Place pearl onions and coriander seeds in a large sealable jar.
- Put remaining ingredients in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir often and bring to a low boil for 5 minutes.
- Pour hot mixture over onions. Seal the jar and allow onions to pickle for 3 days, shaking a couple times each day.
Notes
- Proper Storage: Keeping the jar of pickled pearl onions sealed tightly in the refrigerator is key to preserving their texture and flavor.
- Give Them Time: Don't try to rush things as letting the onions sit for at least three days before enjoying them enhances their flavor.
- Freezing Tip: While freezing is a terrific way to extend the life of cocktail onions, keep in mind that it will also slightly alter their texture.
- Keep the Brine: Use the vinegar for marinades or salad dressings!
- Storing: Since these onions aren't canned you must store them in the refrigerator before and after opening. They have a shelf life of about a month.
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