Onion salad

Quick and easy onion salad, simplest, tasty and flavorful salad with onions from north Indian cuisine. A humble salad that packs loads of punch and can uplift any simple meal.

You can use any variety of onions like red onions, sweet onions in this salad as per taste. Vegan, gluten free no oil salad.

For more easy salad recipes please check kachumber, chickpea salad, tomato cucumber salad, roasted corn salad recipes.

I am big fan of simple everyday salad recipes that do not require a long list of ingredients are heavy dressing. The simple Indian salads like this onion salad perfectly fits the bill.

This is a super easy and simple to make salad without any oil or creamy dressing. Known as pyaaz ki laccha in Hindi, this north Indian salad is traditionally made with thinly sliced onion rings. Here however I have sliced them thin for the ease of eating.

If you have dined in north Indian restaurants you know that this simple salad or pickled onions is always served with the meal. This humble dish adds so much punch and perks up the meal to next level.

So if you are looking for a quick side dish or that extra zing in your meal, do try this salad and enjoy.

About This Recipe

Onion salads are very widely made across the globe in various ways and flavor combinations. Right from simple pickled onions to the ones using sweet onions to ones with vegetables like cucumber to ones with different seasonings.

In this recipe, sharp red onions are mixed with simplest of seasonings and served immediately. It is a quick side dish that you make in minutes and serve with various Indian meals.

It goes really well with parathas, pulao, biryani, naan, even dal rice. Apart from this you can also use this salad in various ways, please refer notes.

In this post I am sharing this easy onion salad recipe along with few variations, how to make quick pickled onions and also serving ideas.

Do make this salad and enjoy, it is not to be missed 🙂 This salad is

simple recipe and easy to make

delicious and flavorful

elevates the taste of the meal

vegan, gluten free, no oil

Ingredients

Onions– you can use any variety of onions for this salad. Here I have used red onions for their sharp taste. This red onion salad is the one served in dhabas and north Indian restaurants. It is sharp, spicy and very flavorful.

If you prefer a mild salad you can always use white onions and yellow onions or even sweet onions.

Lemon juice– the dressing of this salad is just lemon juice or lime juice with a touch of salt. You can also use any good quality vinegar.

Green chilies– very finely chopped green chilies add a wonderful heat and a sharp spice note to this salad and I highly recommend if you like spicy food.

Red chili powder– a dash of chili powder for heat, you can skip it if green chilies are enough for you.

Cilantro leaves– fresh chopped coriander leaves or cilantro leaves for flavor. You can also add mint leaves.

Salt– to taste

How To Make Onion Salad

Pick, rinse and peel the outer skin of 1 large onion. Slice into thin rounds or thin slices. You can also chop them finely if you like. Also finely chop the green chilies and coriander leaves.

Place the onion rings in a salad bowl. Add finely chopped green chilies.

Also add red chili powder and chopped coriander leaves.

Add lemon juice, salt and pepper. Toss well. Serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions

This Indian onion salad tastes wonderful with breads like naan, paratha or even with curries, dal etc.

You can also use this onion salad in wraps, to fill in pita with burger or pretty much anything.

It is a delicious side dish with any meal and easy to make for sudden guests too.

Variations

With cucumbers– This salad tastes very well with cucumbers too. You can easily make this as onion cucumber salad salad with or without a touch of olive oil.

Simply slice a long cucumber into thin rounds. Toss with other ingredients and add some finely chopped dill leaves.

Along with lemon juice you can also add 1/2 tablespoon olive oil for flavor.

With tomatoes– chopped salad tomatoes can be added for taste and flavor.

Turkish Sumac Onions– This is a turkish onion salad seasoned with sumac and tastes wonderful with pita, in falafel salad and many more.

To make this variation just add 1 tablespoon sumac along with red chili powder or you can even skip rd chili powder. Next instead of coriander leaves add 1/2 cup chopped parsley and 1 tablespoon olive oil along with lemon juice. Toss well.

Sweet Onion Salad– This is a very tasty and flavorful variation of onion salad that is popular as steak house salad. To make this you will need sweet onions.

First combine 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar or honey, 1/2 tablespoon dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper to taste in a mixing bowl.

Add this to sliced sweet onions and toss. You can add fresh or dried dill to it.

Tips + FAQs

How to chop onions easily?

The easiest way to chop onions is to use a chopped or food processor especially for large quantities. You can also use a sharp knife for chopping.

How long does this salad last?

This salad tastes best when served immediately. So prepare only the quantity you require.

Can I use vinegar instead of lemon juice?

Yes you can use any good quality vinegar in this recipe.

More Onion Recipes

Onion raita

Onion pakora

Vengaya sambar

Onion Samosa

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