Hey there, neighbor! Today we are jumping into a magic trick that happens right on your kitchen counter. If you love a bright pop of flavor, you need these lacto fermented red onions in your life.
Next, let me tell you that this is not your typical vinegar quick pickle. Instead, we use a beautiful, natural process to build deep flavor from scratch. Also, you get a gut-friendly topping that pairs with almost anything.
Then, you can throw down in the kitchen with total confidence because this method is foolproof. Grab a glass of sweet tea, and let me show you how simple it is to get started.
What You Need for Homemade Fermented Onions Probiotic
Next, let us look at the short list of simple things you need to make this vibrant topping. You do not need any fancy gear, just basic kitchen tools and real ingredients. Also, using fresh, crisp produce ensures the best outcome.
- Red Onions: Grab two large, firm red onions.
- Salt: Use non-iodized salt like fine sea salt or kosher salt.
- Filtered Water: Avoid tap water because chlorine stops the good bacteria.
- Kitchen Scale: Measuring in grams guarantees your success.
- Mason Jar: A clean wide-mouth quart jar works perfectly.
- Fermentation Weight: This keeps your veggies safely submerged.
Then, check out these great breakfast recipes like my banana-split-breakfast or a hearty vegan-breakfast-hash to pair with your toppings later!
How to Make This Wild Fermented Red Onions Recipe
Step 1: Slice the Onions
Next, peel your onions and slice them thin from root to stem. Then, make sure your cuts stay even so everything ferments at the exact same pace. Also, pack the sliced pieces tightly into your clean glass mason jar, leaving about an inch of headspace at the top.
Step 2: Use Fermentation by Weight Brine
Then, calculate your liquid mixture to create the safest environment for your fermented red onions recipe. Next, place an empty measuring cup on your digital scale and tare it to zero grams. Also, pour in your filtered water, note the weight, and add exactly five percent of that weight in pure sea salt.
Step 3: Submerge and Seal
Next, stir the mixture thoroughly until the salt crystals completely vanish into the water. Then, pour this liquid over your packed jar until it covers every single onion layer. Also, place your fermentation weight right on top to keep everything under the surface, then seal the lid loosely.
Step 4: Let the Magic Happen
Next, set your jar in a dim, cool corner of your kitchen counter away from direct sunlight. Then, check the container daily to see the active bubbles rising to the top. Also, you will see the bright purple color spread throughout the liquid over the next few days.
Pro Tips and Troubleshooting For Lacto Fermented Red Onions
Next, do not worry if your liquid turns a little bit cloudy after a few days on the counter. This cloudiness simply means your healthy bacteria are doing their job perfectly. Also, ensure you keep the jar away from drafty areas or hot appliances.
Then, try adding a few black peppercorns or a garlic clove to customize your flavor profile. Next, remember that a warm kitchen speeds up the process while a cool room slows it down. Also, if you enjoy healthy toppings, check out my savory avocado-toast or a refreshing hummus-avocado-wrap for more meal inspiration.
FAQs
What is the difference between quick pickled and lacto-fermented red onions?
Quick pickled red onions rely on a heated vinegar solution to rapidly introduce acidity and preserve the vegetable. In contrast, lacto fermented red onions use only water, salt, and raw onions to foster a wild fermented red onions environment. Beneficial bacteria consume the natural sugars to produce lactic acid, resulting in a complex, tangy flavor and a raw condiment rich in live probiotics.
Do you need whey to make lacto-fermented red onions?
No, whey is not required to make lacto-fermented red onions, though it can be used as an optional starter culture. If you choose to omit whey, you simply need to increase the salt concentration of your brine—moving from a 3% salt-to-water ratio by weight with whey up to a 5% salt ratio without it—to ensure a safe environment for natural fermentation.
Why do you weigh ingredients for a fermentation brine?
Weighing ingredients in grams ensures a precise and safe salinity percentage, regardless of variables like onion size or the crystal density of your salt. Different types of salt weigh vastly different amounts per tablespoon, making precise metric weights the most reliable way to prevent mold growth and achieve a successful fermentation by weight brine.
How long do lacto-fermented red onions take to ferment on the counter?
Lacto-fermented red onions generally take 4 to 7 days to ferment at room temperature. The exact timing depends heavily on your ambient room temperature; you should begin tasting them around day four when active bubbling appears, transferring the jar to the refrigerator once they reach your desired level of tanginess.
Wrap-Up & Call to Action
Next, these probiotic pickled red onions will bring a beautiful brightness to your favorite tacos, burgers, and salads. Then, once you taste the deep complexity of natural fermentation, you will never buy store jars again. Also, if you love fresh flavors, don’t miss my fresh-strawberry-thyme-sun-tea for a perfect summer drink.
Please Pin this for later on your favorite recipe board so you always have the instructions handy! Then, leave a comment below and let me know how your batch turns out, or sign up for my newsletter to get more soulful kitchen tips delivered right to your inbox.
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Lacto fermented red onions: Simple Soulful Probiotic Recipe
- Total Time: 7 days
- Yield: 1 quart 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Learn how to make vibrant, gut-healthy lacto fermented red onions right on your kitchen counter with this easy guide.
Ingredients
2 large red onions
500 grams filtered water
25 grams fine sea salt
Instructions
1. Slice the red onions thinly and pack them tightly into a clean glass jar.
2. Weigh the filtered water and add 5% of that weight in sea salt, stirring until dissolved.
3. Pour the brine over the onions until completely submerged, then add a fermentation weight.
4. Seal loosely and let sit on the counter for 4 to 7 days before moving to the fridge.
Notes
Keep everything submerged under the brine to prevent mold growth. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Fermentation
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tbsp
- Calories: 5
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: lacto fermented red onions, probiotic, fermentation