Key Ratio + process

• Key ratios:
• Water: 100
• Vinegar: 100 (or no water for stronger)
• Sugar: 20
• Salt: 6
• Simmer water mix, pour over veggies, 30 min sit, then fridget

History

• Made on @May 19, 2026 - using 1/1/10%/3% (40g 40g 4g 4g salt) - for a single onion - bring to simmer, pour over for 30 min, then fridge (TOO LITTLE SALT)
• Key atio

Recipe Details

Universal Quick Pickle Brine Ratio (By Weight)

A great all-purpose ratio is:

• 1 part vinegar
• 1 part water
• 10% sugar (of total liquid weight)
• 3% salt (of total liquid weight)

Example Formula

For:

• 100 g vinegar
• 100 g water

Total liquid = 200 g

Add:

• 20 g sugar
• 6 g kosher salt

General Formula

If total liquid = L

• Sugar = L × 0.10
• Salt = L × 0.03

So for any batch:

Vinegar = X
Water = X
Sugar = 0.20X
Salt = 0.06X

Example Sizes

Small Batch

• 120 g vinegar
• 120 g water
• 24 g sugar
• 7 g salt

Medium Batch

• 250 g vinegar
• 250 g water
• 50 g sugar
• 15 g salt

Stronger, Less Sweet Version

• 1:1 vinegar to water
• 5% sugar
• 2% salt

For 200 g liquid:

• 10 g sugar
• 4 g salt

My Preferred Taco Pickle Ratio

For red onions:

• 100 g vinegar
• 100 g water
• 15 g sugar
• 5 g kosher salt

Bright, balanced, and not overly sweet.

No-Water Version (Sharper Pickle)

• 100 g vinegar
• 10 g sugar
• 3 g salt

Great when you want a stronger acidic bite.

Best Vinegars

• White vinegar for clean flavor
• Apple cider vinegar for mild fruitiness
• Rice vinegar for softer acidity

Bottom Line

The easiest ratio to remember is:

Equal parts vinegar and water, plus 10% sugar and 3% salt based on total liquid weight.

For a small batch:

• 100 g vinegar
• 100 g water
• 20 g sugar
• 6 g salt

This works beautifully for red onions, jalapeños, carrots, radishes, and cabbage.