This is a lovely recipe for vibrantly colored sweet pickled onions, richly tinted pink and lightly sweetened with a small amount of cooked beets.
Inspired by Japanese-style amazu-zuke (甘酢漬け), the same style used for ginger gari (がり), these vibrant pink sweet pickled onions have a gentle balance of sweetness and tanginess, making them a natural complement to sushi, curry, and many other dishes.
Their bright color adds visual interest to the table, while their light acidity refreshes the palate.
They’re perfect for topping vegan Japanese curry rice, or vegan chirashi sushi, and also work beautifully as a filling for vegan futomaki sushi—or simply as a small, flavorful addition to everyday meals.
🍒 What you’ll love about this recipe
- Vibrant pink color from beets
- 100% vegan & plant-based
- Only 4 simple ingredients
- Naturally sweetened, without refined sugar
- A versatile addition to sushi, curry, salads, and grain bowls
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🚘 Why This Recipe Works
If you're wondering what makes sweet pickled onions different from regular pickles, let me explain.
Sweet pickled onions follow the Japanese tradition of amazu-zuke (甘酢漬け), which literally means "sweet vinegar pickles." Unlike Western-style pickles flavored with dill, garlic, and spices, sweet pickled onions have a gentle sweetness balanced with tangy vinegar.
Natural Sweetness from Beets
The secret ingredient in this recipe? Beets! Instead of refined sugar, cooked beets add natural sweetness. The amount of sweetness will vary depending on the quality of your beets (more on that in the ingredients section), so you can always adjust by adding a touch of sugar if needed.
Beautiful Pink Color
The beets do double duty in this recipe – they not only sweeten the onions but also give them that gorgeous, vibrant pink color. It's like natural food coloring! The pigments from the beets gradually transfer to the onions as they marinate, creating an eye-catching result that makes any dish look more appetizing.
Perfect Texture
These sweet pickled onions have a tender, crisp texture (しゃきしゃき / syaki-syaki in Japanese) – not quite as crunchy as Western-style pickles, but with a pleasant bite.
🌹 Ingredients
You only need 4 simple ingredients to make these beautiful pink sweet pickled onions!
● Fresh Onions
🌿 IMPORTANT: Use fresh onions if you can find them! Fresh onions (known as shin-tamanegi or 新玉ねぎ in Japanese) are milder, sweeter, and have less pungency than regular storage onions. They're perfect for sweet pickled onions because they naturally complement the sweet-tangy flavor profile.
➤ What are fresh onions? Fresh onions are yellow onions harvested early in spring (March-May) and sold immediately without being dried or cured. They have a thinner skin, higher water content, and a naturally sweet, mild flavor. If you can't find them labeled as "fresh onions," sweet onions work well too—they're naturally mild and less pungent.
➤ If using regular onions: Don't worry! You can still make this recipe with regular yellow and white onions. Just soak the sliced onions in cold water for 5-10 minutes before pickling to reduce their pungency. Drain them very well and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
● Cooked Beets
🌿 CRITICAL: The quality of your beets will make or break this recipe! Here's what to look for:
- 🟥 Deep red-purple color – The darker and more vibrant the color, the better
- 💪 Firm texture – Avoid mushy or overly soft beets
- 🍬 Naturally sweet – This is key! Some beets lack sweetness
➤ Why beet quality matters: I've tested this recipe with various beets, and I've found that some beets (particularly certain brands or varieties) aren't naturally sweet. When I used beets that lacked sweetness, I had to add sugar to make the pickled onions taste right. However, when I found high-quality beets with deep color and firm texture, they provided plenty of natural sweetness on their own!
You can use either vacuum-packed pre-cooked beets or cook your own from fresh beets. Either way works perfectly!
● Apple Cider Vinegar
➤ Recommended for this recipe! Apple cider vinegar has a mild, slightly fruity flavor that pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of the beets. It allows the beet flavor to shine through without overwhelming it.
➤ Alternative: You can use rice vinegar instead. However, rice vinegar is more tangy and sharp, so you'll likely need to add more sugar or use less rice vinegar to balance the flavor.
● Natural Salt
Any natural sea salt or kosher salt works perfectly. The salt enhances all the flavors and helps draw out moisture from the onions.
● Optional: Sugar (to taste)
🌿 Important note: The amount of sugar you'll need depends entirely on the natural sweetness of your beets. Start by tasting your beet liquid after mixing everything together. If it's not sweet enough, add sugar gradually – start with ½ teaspoon and adjust from there. Some high-quality, naturally sweet beets won't need any added sugar at all!
👇 Full measurements in the recipe card at the bottom
🧣 How to Make
This easy sweet pickled onions recipe takes just 10 minutes of active prep time. Here's exactly how to make them:
- Prepare the Fresh Onions:
- Cut the onion in half vertically (from root to stem)
- Place the onion cut-side down, then slice across the grain, perpendicular to the root, to break the fibers.
- Aim for very thin, uniform slices.
💡 If pungency is a concern: Soak the sliced onions in cold water for 5-10 minutes, then drain well and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel. This works for both fresh and regular onions.
Fresh onions are naturally milder, so you may not need this step—but it's always an option if you prefer a gentler flavor.
- Mix with Beets and Seasonings:
- Add your sliced onions and seasonings to a clean glass jar or glass container
- Add thinly sliced cooked beets (remember: choose those deep red-purple, firm ones!)
- Mix everything together well to combine
- Let It Pickle
Now comes the transformation!- Let the jar sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes
- Stir occasionally to help distribute the color and flavors
- You'll see the onions gradually turn pink as they absorb the beet pigments
- Taste test: Is it sweet enough? If your beets aren't naturally sweet, add ½-1 teaspoons of sugar and stir well. Taste again and adjust as needed.
💡 Important: The amount of sugar needed varies by beet sweetness. Don't feel like you have to add a specific amount – trust your taste buds! Start small (½ teaspoon) and add more if needed. The goal is a pleasant sweet-tangy balance.
- Chill & Rest
- Cover the jar and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4-6 hours)
- The longer marination does wonderful things:
- Reduces pungency significantly
- Increases natural sweetness
- Creates deeper, more vibrant pink color
- Mellows and balances all the flavors
- Once the flavors are well blended and the onions are nicely colored by the beets, the pickled onions are ready to use.
💡 Color transformation: It's amazing to watch the onions transform from white to bright pink! The color change is gradual – you'll see light pink within the first 10-15 minutes, brighter pink after 30 minutes, and deep, vibrant pink after overnight marination.
💄 Storage & Shelf Life
How to Store
- Keep in an airtight container – Glass jars or food containers with tight-fitting lids work best
- Always refrigerate – Never store at room temperature after the initial pickling period
- Use clean utensils – Always use a clean fork or spoon to remove onions from the jar. This prevents contamination and helps them last longer
Shelf Life
- Best within 5 days – For optimal quality, flavor, and texture
🌝 How to Serve
These vibrant pink sweet pickled onions are incredibly versatile! Here are my favorite ways to enjoy them:
Japanese & Asian Dishes
- Vegan sushi rolls – Use them just like pickled ginger (gari)! They're perfect for cleansing your palate between different sushi types. Try with my Vegan Avocado Sushi Rolls recipe & Vegan Futomaki Sushi
- Japanese curry rice – The sweet-tangy flavor cuts through the richness of curry beautifully. See my Vegan Japanese Curry recipe
- Chirashi-sushi– Add a pop of color and flavor to Vegan Scattered Sushi
Everyday Meals
- Salads – They add gorgeous color, pleasant crunch, and sweet-tangy flavor to green salads and grain salads
- Sandwiches and burgers – Elevate any sandwich with these beautiful pink onions
- Rice bowls – Add to any rice bowl for visual appeal and flavor contrast
As a Palate Cleanser
- Between rich bites – Just like pickled ginger with sushi, these help refresh your palate
- With fatty dishes – The acidity cuts through rich, fatty foods beautifully
- As a condiment – Serve alongside main courses for guests to help themselves
👜 Questions
It depends on your beets!
If you use naturally sweet beets (look for ones with deep red-purple color and firm texture), you may not need any added sugar at all. However, if your beets aren't sweet enough, you'll need to add sugar to taste.
The key is to taste your pickling liquid after mixing everything together. If it's not sweet enough, add sugar gradually – start with ½ teaspoon and adjust from there. The amount varies by beet quality, so trust your taste buds!
To get vibrant pink color, make sure to:
➤ Add extra beets
➤ Choose beets with deep red-purple color (not pale pink)
➤ Slice onions thinly for better color absorption
➤ Let them sit longer – overnight marination gives the most vibrant results
If your beets are pale or light-colored to begin with, the onions will also be lighter pink. Look for the darkest, most vibrant beets you can find!
If you feel like whispering a thought, asking a question, or simply saying hello — the comment section is always open 📮
👠 Pairing
Sweet pickled onions pair well with:
🥀 More Recipes Using Beets
Ideas for leftover cooked beets:
📖 Recipe Card
Sweet Pickled Onions (Japanese-Style, No Refined Sugar, Vegan)
Equipment
- cutting board
- kitchen knife
- Bowl
- Chopsticks
Ingredients
- 50 g fresh onions
- 20 g cooked beets (deep red-purple color, firm texture, thinly sliced)
Seasonings
- 2 tsps apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
- 1 pinch natural salt
- sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the onions: Cut onions in half vertically, then slice horizontally into very thin slices. If using regular onions (not fresh), soak the slices in cold water for 5-10 minutes, then drain well.50 g fresh onions
- Mix the ingredients: In a glass jar or container, combine sliced onions, sliced cooked beets, apple cider vinegar, and salt.20 g cooked beets2 tsps apple cider vinegar1 pinch natural salt
- Marinate❶: Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Adjust sweetness: Taste the liquid. If it’s not sweet enough, add sugar gradually (starting with ½ teaspoon) and adjust to taste.sugar
- Marinate❷: Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Store: Keep refrigerated in an airtight container. Best consumed within 5 days.
Notes
- Use fresh onions (新玉ねぎ) for best results – naturally mild and sweet
- Choose beets with deep red-purple color for natural sweetness and vibrant pink color
- Sugar amount varies by beet sweetness – taste and adjust
- Overnight marination significantly improves flavor and color
If this recipe made its way into your kitchen, and you'd like to share that moment, feel free to tag @veginveganvegun or use #vegin_vegan_vegun.
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AOI says
I let it stand overnight and it turned out quite sweet. I will try making it with more sugar depending on the use.