Onion Pickle | Homemade Onion Pickle | Dhaba Style Onion Pickle Recipe | How to Make Onion Pickle | Onion Pickle Recipe | Red Onion Pickle | Vinegared Onion Recipe | Onion Pickle: Here's the full recipes of onion pickle with two methods.
Recipe 1: Dhaba-Style Instant Onion Pickle (North Indian)
Ingredients
2 large red onions — sliced thinly
2 green chilies — finely chopped
2 tablespoons mustard oil
1 teaspoon red chili powder
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
Salt — to taste
Lemon juice — (Optional)
For the Tempering (Tadka):
½ teaspoon Kalonji (Nigella seeds)
½ teaspoon Saunf (Fennel seeds)
½ teaspoon Rai (Black mustard seeds)
½ teaspoon Jeera (Cumin seeds)
A pinch of Hing (Asafoetida)
| Homemade Red Onion Pickle Recipe |
Instructions:
Slice the onions thinly and separate their layers.
Add the spices, salt, and green chilies to the onions and mix well.
Heat the mustard oil until it begins to smoke.
Turn off the heat and add all the tempering spices — let them splutter for 20-30 seconds.
Pour this hot tempering mixture over the onions.
Garnish with fresh green coriander and lemon juice.
Mix well and let it sit for a few hours — the pickle is ready!
Shelf Life: 2-3 days (when refrigerated)
Recipe 2: Vinegared Onions (Onions Soaked in Vinegar)
Ingredients
2 medium-sized red onions — sliced thinly
1 cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1-2 green chilies — sliced (Optional)
2-3 garlic cloves (Optional)
| Homemade Vinegered Onion Pickle Recipe |
Instructions:
Heat water in a pan. Add salt and sugar to the mixture, and heat it until they dissolve.
Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar—this is your pickling solution. Place the onions, green chilies, and garlic into a clean glass jar.
Pour the warm vinegar mixture over them.
Allow it to cool down, then cover the jar and refrigerate it.
The pickles will be ready in just a few hours—though they taste even better if left to sit overnight!
Pro Tip:
Red onions naturally take on a beautiful pink-magenta hue after soaking in vinegar—no artificial coloring is needed! Shelf Life: 1–2 weeks (when refrigerated).
Serving Suggestions
With Dal-Rice, Rajma, or Kadhi
With Tandoori Chicken, Kebabs, or Tikka
With Parathas, Rotis, or Puris
In Sandwiches, Rolls, or Burgers
With Chhole (Chickpea Curry)
Essential Tips
Always use dry utensils and spoons.
For "instant" pickles, adding lemon juice helps extend their shelf life.
Red onions are best suited for making Sirke Wale Pyaaz (Vinegar Onions).
Here are recipes for two different types of onion pickles!
About Dhaba-Style Instant Onion Pickles: This Dhaba-style onion pickle makes for an excellent side dish that pairs perfectly with everyday meals. It tastes best after sitting for a few hours and stays fresh in the refrigerator for 2–3 days.
About Vinegar Onions:
These Indian-style vinegar onions are renowned for their beautiful, vibrant pink color and tangy flavor. At *Dhabas* (roadside eateries), these zesty pink onions are typically served alongside Tandoori Roti. Many people assume that food coloring or beets are added to achieve this hue, but that is not the case—red onions naturally take on this lovely magenta-pink color when soaked in a vinegar solution.
Storage Tips:
This recipe can also be prepared using small onions or shallots (a variety of small onion), which are typically kept whole. To ensure the pickles remain fresh for as long as possible, always use dry containers and thoroughly dry your hands before handling them.