Cebollas encurtidas or pickled onions are the most basic curtido and are served with a lot of different dishes, they are basically the same as the onion and tomato curtido but without the tomato and cilantro, though cilantro is sometimes added to onion curtido. Occasionally onion curtido will be made with white onions , but most of the time they are made with red onions, though in Ecuador we use a different variety of red onion, called cebolla paiteña. It is smaller and slightly spicier and almost looks like a large shallot, but unlike a shallot it doesn’t get as sweet when cooked.
Lime pickled onions - Cebollas encurtidas
Ingredients
- 2 small red onions
- Juice of 3 limes
- 1 tablespoon oil avocado, sunflower, light olive oil, or any mild flavored oil
- 1 tablespoon salt + more to adjust taste
Instructions
- Cut the onion in half, slice very finely (a mandolin is very helpful with this part) and place in a bowl
- Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon salt and a squeeze of lime juice, let rest for about 10 minutes
- Cover the onions with lukewarm water and let rest for another 10 minutes
- Rinse and drain the onions
- Add the lime juice, salt and the oil, and mix well.
- Cover the onions and place in the fridge, the onions will start to turn pinkish after about 3 hours, and will turn very pink if left overnight. Taste again before serving and add salt if needed.
When I buy red onions to make curtido I try to find the smallest ones possible, it makes it easier to eat when the you don’t have extremely big slices of onion. There are plenty of versions of pickled onions, some add a little bit of sugar, vinegar, etc, but the Ecuadorian method is the most straightforward way I’ve seen to make them.
Step by step preparation photos for cebollas encurtidas or lime pickled red onions
Patricia Littlefield says
March 20, 2019 at 7:41 amThis is one of my favorites, and I use it for many things. I even chop this up and add to tuna fish salad for sandwiches or tacos.
Shasta Mike (@shastatour) says
October 13, 2016 at 10:19 amExcellent recipe – I have made these about 10x so far. Sometimes I substitute white vinegar for lime juice if out of limes. Lime juice is better though. For those considering but thinking since you don’t like raw onions you will not like this, I would recommend trying it. My wife detests raw onions of all kinds. She loves this recipe.
Jen says
August 28, 2016 at 4:24 pmThank you so much! I was looking for this recipe for a long time! Now if only I can find the recipe for ecuadorian tuna mousse….
patty says
February 2, 2011 at 7:13 pmI’ve bee looking for this Ecuadorian take on cebollitas everywhere! Thanks, I’ve a whole bag and love them, but never knew how exactly to make it – the folks I knew wanted to keep it a secret… secret’s out, LOL :)
Happy Cooking :)
Chef Rob says
February 11, 2009 at 9:11 amSugar and spice makes everything nice in the Yucatan, Mexico version of this recipe…
CEBOLLAS EN ESCABECHE (Pickled Red Onions)
Yield: 8 servings
1 teaspoon whole allspice, toasted
2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns, toasted
4 whole cloves, toasted
4 bay leaves, toasted
1 habanero chile, charred over an open flame
1 ½ teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
1 “true” cinnamon stick
1 clove garlic, lightly crushed
2 tablespoons sugar in the raw
1 tablespoon kosher or sea salt
1 orange or tangerine, cut in half, unpeeled
½ cup water
1 cup cider vinegar
3 large red onions, cut into ¼-inch thick slices
1) Toast the allspice, bay leaves, cloves, and peppercorns until fragrant. Char the habanero over an open flame to bring the fruity flavor forward.
2) Place all of the ingredients EXCEPT the onions in a deep stainless steel saucepan and bring to a boil.
3) Lower to a simmer and cook for 7 minutes. Remove the orange and reserve.
4) Slice the onions and add to a large bowl. Juice the orange over the onions. Pour the hot mixture over the onions and stir well.
5) Let come to room temperature then cover tightly and refrigerate up to a week. Allow the onions to warm to room temperature before eating. They are not as appetizing when they are cold.
Jessica says
February 10, 2009 at 7:26 pmHi Laylita – can this be stored? If so, how and for how long? Thank you!
Hi Jessica – I’ve kept them for 2-3 days at the most, refrigerated and covered. We eat them very fast around here and I make them very frequently.
Sunny says
October 15, 2008 at 4:13 pmLove this recipe!
I was kind of skeptical first not having any sweetness was introduced but guess what? I was totally wrong! Since I made this pickled onions, this is must to have to enhance most of my dishes.
Thank you and thank you!!
Laylita says
June 11, 2008 at 12:26 pmEly, I know exactly what you mean, sometimes I’ll be eating a dish and it feels like it’s missing a little something, so I just add some cebollas encurtidas and it fixes it.
Ely says
June 11, 2008 at 11:24 amIts amazing how adding this to anything immidiatly transforms it into a down home ecuadorian meal. Well… not to anything, I’m sure it wont go good with Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops but you know what I mean hehe.
Love it!
Bri says
March 12, 2008 at 6:21 pmYum! My favorite vegetable fajitas at a restaurant in California always has pickled onions. They are so tasty, I’ve often thought of making them myself, but never came across a recipe. Now I have. Thanks! I’ll be sure to try it out.