This post is also available in: Español

In Mexican cuisine we like to use garnishes like Mexican pickled onions. This can be made with white onion or with purple onion. You can also find them with habanero peppers or with chopped serrano peppers. Or just plain with no spice but a lot of flavor.

Making the Mexican pickled onions is very easy, the hardest part is the slicing of the inions as you will need to slice thinly and use 2-3 onions. Sometimes more depending of the number of guests sitting at the table. Everyone loves the pickled onions so we need to make sure to have enough for everyone.

The pickled onions are perfect garnish for dishes like the Yucatan Pork Loin Pibil. Any pibil dish includes a side of pickled onions as it provides another layer of flavor to brighten up the bite. Yucatan cuisine is diverse and pickling is part of the techniques they use for adding flavor and for preservation.
Watch the videos to see how easy it is to make this pickled onions!
When making pork tacos or pibil is important to know how to make the pickled onions to give the authentic experience. A pibil dish with no pickled onions it is just not complete.
Pickled onions when adding habaneros or serrano peppers are also great pairing for other dishes. Such as grilled meat tacos, tostadas, salmon, white fish, shrimp and so much more. That is why today I am showing you both options.
The pink pickled onions those get that color naturally as the main ingredients are purple onions. These pink onions add a nice presentation while adding flavor and balancing a dish. Pickled garnishes help to brighten up the meal too. And help cut through any heaviness. That is why are added to fatty meats to make the bite more pleasant and light.
I invite you to try my recipe for pickled onions, simple and ready in no time. Everyone has their own technique. I am making them following my mom’s recipe.


Mexican Pickled Onions
Ingredients
For the Pink Pickled Onions
- 1 purple onion sliced thinly
- 1 teaspoon pink salt
- 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon sazon latino has cumin, salt, and oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
For the white onion habanero version
- 1 white onion sliced thinly
- 1 habanero chopped and seeded
- 1 lime
- 1 cup vinegar white or for pickling
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt or pickling salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
Instructions
- Cut the onions thinly and add to a bowl.
- Season with the lime juice and the spices.
- Add the vinegar and the warm water.
- Place inside a mason jar and keep refrigerated.
Hi! Could you please post the recipe for Spicy Habanero Pickled Onions? They look delicious and I’m anxious to make them! When I click on the picture it takes me to a 404 page and the video only lists the ingredients but not the measurements. I’ve got my onions sliced and ready to go!
Hi Christy, the information on quantities and measurements is on the recipe card. Thanks for stopping by indeed this pickled onions are easy and so tasty.
I have been looking for a good pickled onion recipe for so long, which i can actually make in home. You got me exactly what I needed. now I can have an awesome dinner, with this. Thanks for the recipe.
What is Sazon Latino?
It is a condiment that you can buy in Hispanic stores or at Walmart where the latin products are sold. The condiment has garlic, cumin, black pepper and sal. Or you can buy on Amazon > http://amzn.to/2red9wv the brand I use is Badia
Hello! I was wondering what is inside of the “sazon Latino”? I clicked the link, but it took me to another page with different recipes. I wanted to know what seasonings to buy so I can try out your recipe. 🙂 <3 Thank you ~ !
Hi there, thanks for your note. Sazon latino is also called sazon complete a combination of oregano, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper. The brand I buy is Badia at Walmart. Or you can buy on Amazon too here is the link > http://amzn.to/2Coznwt
I absolutely love pickled onions like this! It’s hard to find good Mexican food in London, so I’ll be making this at home!