Brazilian Cuisine
Lime Pickled Red Onions
Lime pickled red onions are the ultimate express topping designed to instantly brighten any plate with a zesty, crisp pop. Under the acidity of fresh lime juice, the pungent red onion rings lose their harsh bite, mellowing into a sweet, crunchy element with a stunning vibrant pink color. This versatile accent cuts through the richness of heavy meats, lifts grilled fish, and finishes tacos, burgers, or grain bowls flawlessly with almost zero effort.
Dishday
Recipe overview
- Total time
- 10 min
- Prep
- 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cuisine
- Brazilian Cuisine
Nutrition
per serving
- Calories
- 25 kcal
- Protein
- 0.5 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 5 g
- Fiber
- 0.8 g
Step by step
Method
- 01
Peel the red onions, cut them in half, and slice them into pa…
Peel the red onions, cut them in half, and slice them into paper-thin half-moons or wedges.
- 02
Wash the limes thoroughly and squeeze out all their juice to…
Wash the limes thoroughly and squeeze out all their juice to get about 4-5 tablespoons of fresh liquid.
- 03
Place the sliced onions into a non-reactive glass or ceramic…
Place the sliced onions into a non-reactive glass or ceramic bowl, then sprinkle with salt and sugar.
- 04
Pour the fresh lime juice over the onions and massage them ge…
Pour the fresh lime juice over the onions and massage them gently with your hands to help dissolve the crystals.
- 05
If using cilantro, finely chop the leaves and toss them with…
If using cilantro, finely chop the leaves and toss them with the onions for an extra layer of freshness.
- 06
Let the onions marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes…
Let the onions marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes until they turn bright pink, then serve or store.
Dishday
Useful advice
Cooking tip
The thinner you slice the onions, the faster they will pickle and the tenderer they will be. A mandoline slicer works wonders here.
How to serve
Scatter these crunchy pink ribbons over finished dishes like steaks, tacos, or salads right before serving.
How to store
Store in a clean glass jar with a tight lid in the fridge for up to 5 days. The color will intensify over time.
Note
If your limes aren't juicy enough, top them up with a splash of apple cider or white wine vinegar.
