These Jalapeño Peach Pickled Onions are a little sweet, a little spicy, and so much fun to make! Fresh peaches, crisp red onions, and jalapeños come together in a simple honey pickling brine to create a bright, tangy topping that adds a burst of summer flavor to almost anything.
They are delicious piled on my Rodeo Burger, tacos, sandwiches, grilled meats, or anywhere you want a little sweet heat. Once you make a jar, you will want to keep it in the fridge, ready to add a pop of flavor whenever a meal needs a little something extra!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Red Onions: Red onions are the star of this recipe and become sweet, crisp, and tangy as they pickle. Slice them thinly so they absorb the brine quickly.
- Peach: A firm, ripe peach adds natural sweetness and a fresh summer flavor. Choose a peach that is still slightly firm, so it holds its texture in the pickling liquid. Nectarines can also work well here.
- Jalapeño: Fresh jalapeño adds a little heat and balances the sweetness of the peach and honey. Remove the seeds and ribs for a milder flavor, or leave them in for more spice.
- Garlic: Thinly sliced garlic adds a savory depth that pairs well with the sweet and spicy flavors.
- Pickling Spices: Red pepper flakes, paprika, black pepper, chili powder, and optional cayenne pepper add warmth and a little kick. Adjust the amount of cayenne or jalapeño depending on your preferred spice level.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar gives the onions their classic tangy pickle flavor and pairs beautifully with the peaches. For a slightly milder flavor, you can substitute white vinegar.
- Peach Nectar: Peach nectar or peach juice adds extra peach flavor to the brine. If you do not have either, you can use water instead, but the peach flavor will be less noticeable.
- Honey and Brown Sugar: Honey and brown sugar balance the acidity of the vinegar while adding a deeper sweetness that complements the peaches.
- Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice brightens the brine and helps balance the sweet and spicy flavors.
- Kosher Salt: Salt enhances all of the flavors and helps create the perfect pickled taste.
FAQs
How long do Honey Jalapeño Peach Pickled Onions need to sit before eating?
You can enjoy these pickled onions after about 1 hour in the refrigerator, but the flavor gets even better after 12 to 24 hours. The longer they sit, the more time the onions, peaches, and spices have to soak up the sweet and tangy brine.
Can I use frozen peaches?
Fresh peaches are best for this recipe because they hold their texture better. Frozen peaches can be used if needed, but they may soften more quickly after being added to the warm brine.
How spicy are Jalapeño Peach Pickled Onions?
The spice level is easy to adjust. For a milder version, remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeño and leave out the cayenne pepper. For more heat, leave some seeds in or add extra red pepper flakes or cayenne.
Can I use a different type of vinegar?
Yes! Apple cider vinegar gives these pickled onions a slightly fruity flavor that pairs well with the peaches, but white vinegar can also be used. The flavor will be a little sharper and less sweet.
How to Use Jalapeño Peach Pickled Onions
These Honey Jalapeño Peach Pickled Onions add the perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavor to so many dishes. The crisp onions, juicy peaches, and flavorful brine make them an easy way to brighten up everyday meals. Try adding them to:
- Tacos: Spoon them over chicken tacos, shrimp, steak, or veggie tacos for a fresh pop of flavor.
- Burgers and sandwiches: Add a sweet and spicy bite to burgers (like my classic cheeseburger), pulled pork sandwiches, crispy grilled cheese, or wraps.
- Grilled meats: They are delicious served with grilled chicken, pork, or steak bites.
- Salads and bowls: Add them to grain bowls, green salads (so much flavor to a simple side salad!), or rice bowls for extra flavor and texture.
- Cheese boards: Pair them with creamy cheeses, crackers, and cured meats for a fun sweet-and-savory snack.
Don’t forget to save the leftover brine! It is packed with peachy, spicy flavor and can be used as a quick dressing ingredient, a marinade for meats, or added to sauces for a little extra tang.
How to Store Jalapeño Peach Pickled Onions
Store Honey Jalapeño Peach Pickled Onions in a clean, airtight glass jar in the refrigerator. Make sure the onions and peaches stay mostly submerged in the brine to help keep them fresh and flavorful.
They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The flavor will continue to develop as they sit, making them even more delicious after a day or two.
Always use a clean utensil when serving to help keep the pickled onions fresh.
Jalapeño Peach Pickled Onions
Ingredients
Pickled Onion Mixture
- 2 large red onions, thinly sliced
- 1 large firm peach, thinly sliced or diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 medium jalapeño, thinly sliced (remove seeds for less heat)
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Pickling Brine
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup peach nectar, or peach juice
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
Instructions
- Add the sliced red onions, peach, jalapeño, garlic, red pepper flakes, paprika, and black pepper to a clean heat-safe quart-size glass jar. (You can also divide the mixture between two pint jars.) Gently press down to pack the ingredients into the jar.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the apple cider vinegar, water, peach nectar, honey, brown sugar, lime juice, kosher salt, chili powder, and cayenne pepper, if using.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring until the honey, sugar, and salt have dissolved. Remove from heat.
- Carefully pour the warm brine over the onion mixture until the onions and peaches are mostly submerged. Use a spoon or chopstick to gently press everything down into the brine.
- Let the jar cool at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes. Seal tightly and refrigerate.
- The onions will be lightly pickled after about 1 hour, but the flavor is best after 12 to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
Did you make this recipe?
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