Pickled onions
Here’s a recipe for pickled onions with red onion, bacon, butter, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar. This combination should create a flavorful and savory pickled onion with a hint of sweetness and smokiness from the bacon:
Ingredients:
2 large red onion, thinly sliced
4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
2-3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Cook Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan, let it cool, and then crumble it into small pieces.
Cook Onions: In the same skillet, add the butter. Once melted, add the thinly sliced red onions. Cook the onions over medium heat until they become soft and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
Add Brown Sugar and Balsamic Vinegar: Sprinkle the brown sugar over the onions and stir until it’s dissolved. Pour in the balsamic vinegar, stirring to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced and thickened slightly.
Season the mixture with black pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning according to your preferences.
Combine with Bacon: Stir in the crumbled bacon, ensuring that it’s evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Cool and Store: Allow the pickled onion mixture to cool to room temperature. Transfer it to a clean, airtight jar or container and refrigerate for at least a few hours or overnight before serving.
Enjoy your flavorful pickled onions!
Pickled onions can add a burst of tangy and savory flavor to a variety of dishes. Here are some ways you can use pickled onions:
Salads: Toss pickled onions into green salads, pasta salads, or grain salads for an extra layer of flavor and crunch.
Burgers and Sandwiches: Top your burgers, sandwiches, or wraps with pickled onions to add a zesty kick. They work well with both meat and vegetarian options.
Tacos and Burritos: Add pickled onions as a topping for tacos, burritos, or any Mexican-inspired dish. They complement the flavors of beans, meats, and salsas.
Hot Dogs: Upgrade your hot dogs by adding pickled onions along with other toppings like mustard and relish.
Cheese and Charcuterie Boards: Serve pickled onions alongside cheese and cured meats on a charcuterie board. They provide a tangy contrast to rich cheeses and fatty meats.
Grilled Meats: Pair pickled onions with grilled meats, such as steak or chicken. The acidity helps cut through the richness of the meat.
Fish Tacos: Enhance the flavor of fish tacos with pickled onions. The acidity can balance the richness of the fish.
Dips: Mix chopped pickled onions into sour cream or Greek yogurt to create a flavorful dip for chips or veggies.
Barbecue: Serve pickled onions as a side with barbecue dishes. They add a refreshing element to the smoky and savory flavors of grilled meats.
Noodles and Rice Bowls: Incorporate pickled onions into noodle dishes or rice bowls for added flavor and texture.
Wraps and Roll-Ups: Include pickled onions in wraps or roll-ups for an extra burst of flavor.
Pizza: Garnish your pizza with pickled onions for a tangy twist. They can complement a variety of pizza toppings.
Feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations to find your favorite ways to enjoy pickled onions!
