Pickled Onion Avocado Tacos

Featured in: Quick & Easy Meals

This dish features tangy pickled red onions paired with a smooth, crispy avocado crema, layered onto warm tortillas. The onions are lightly brined with apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt, offering a vibrant burst of flavor. The avocado crema blends ripe avocados, sour cream or yogurt, and spices, then gains a crunchy twist with toasted panko breadcrumbs. Assembling the tacos is simple and quick, garnished with crisp lettuce, cotija cheese, cilantro, and optional jalapeños for extra zest. Perfect for a busy weeknight, these tacos deliver brightness and creaminess in every bite.

Updated on Wed, 12 Nov 2025 16:21:00 GMT
Tangy 5-Minute Pickled Red Onions layered on tacos, complete with crispy avocado crema and fresh cilantro. Save to Pinterest
Tangy 5-Minute Pickled Red Onions layered on tacos, complete with crispy avocado crema and fresh cilantro. | krispyrecipes.com

Vibrant, tangy pickled red onions and creamy, crispy avocado crema elevate these quick tacos to a fresh, irresistible weeknight meal.

The first time I whipped these up, my family couldn&t believe how something so quick could taste restaurant-level. We now crave them whenever we need a lively dinner in a hurry.

Ingredients

  • Pickled Red Onions: 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt
  • Crispy Avocado Crema: 2 ripe avocados, 1/3 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 lime), 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Tacos: 8 small corn or flour tortillas, 1 cup shredded lettuce, 1/2 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional), Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

Prepare the Pickled Red Onions:
In a small bowl, combine apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Add the sliced red onion, toss to coat, and let sit at room temperature for at least 5 minutes (or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor), stirring occasionally.
Make the Avocado Crema:
In a bowl, mash avocados until mostly smooth. Stir in sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lime juice, salt, and cumin until creamy.
Crisp the Avocado Crema:
Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add panko and toast for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden brown. Remove from heat and let cool. Gently fold the toasted panko into the avocado crema for a crispy texture.
Warm the Tortillas:
Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or wrap in foil and warm in the oven until pliable.
Assemble the Tacos:
Spread crispy avocado crema onto each tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, a generous spoonful of pickled onions (drained), cotija or feta cheese, cilantro, and jalapeño slices if desired. Serve with lime wedges.
Save to Pinterest
| krispyrecipes.com

Whenever we serve these tacos, everyone goes for seconds. They're colorful, fun, and disappear fast, reminding us of cheerful nights around the table.

Required Tools

Sharp knife, mixing bowls, small nonstick skillet, spoon or spatula, citrus juicer (optional)

Allergen Information

Contains milk and wheat. Use gluten-free panko and corn tortillas for allergy-friendly tacos, and check labels if you have any dietary needs.

Nutritional Information

Each serving (2 tacos) has about 320 calories, 17 g total fat, 37 g carbs, and 7 g protein.

Brightly colored 5-Minute Pickled Red Onion Tacos featuring a creamy avocado crema, perfect for a quick dinner. Save to Pinterest
Brightly colored 5-Minute Pickled Red Onion Tacos featuring a creamy avocado crema, perfect for a quick dinner. | krispyrecipes.com

Make extra pickled onions—they brighten up salads and sandwiches for days. These tacos are the kind of meal you'll crave any night of the week.

Common Recipe Questions

How do I make the pickled red onions quickly?

Slice red onions thinly and soak them in a mixture of apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt for at least 5 minutes at room temperature for a bright, tangy flavor.

What gives the avocado crema its crispy texture?

Toasted panko breadcrumbs lightly folded into the mashed avocado and creamy base add a distinct crispy crunch to the crema.

Can I make this dish vegan-friendly?

Yes, substitute dairy-based sour cream or yogurt with a plant-based alternative and omit or replace the cheese with a vegan option.

What tortillas work best here?

Small corn or flour tortillas warmed until pliable are ideal, but corn tortillas enhance authenticity and gluten-free needs.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep components separate: store pickled onions and avocado crema in airtight containers refrigerated up to 2 days, and tortillas wrapped to maintain freshness.

Can I add extra ingredients for more substance?

Yes, black beans, grilled corn, or roasted sweet potatoes complement the flavors and add heartiness to the tacos.

Pickled Onion Avocado Tacos

Quick, tangy pickled onions and creamy avocado crema top fresh tortillas for a flavorful dish.

Prep Duration
10 minutes
Cooking Duration
10 minutes
Overall Time
20 minutes
Created by Mia Harper

Recipe Type Quick & Easy Meals

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type Mexican-Inspired

Total Portions 4 Serving Size

Dietary Considerations Veggie-Friendly

What You’ll Need

Pickled Red Onions

01 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
02 120 ml apple cider vinegar
03 120 ml water
04 12 g sugar
05 5 g salt

Crispy Avocado Crema

01 2 ripe avocados
02 80 g sour cream or Greek yogurt
03 30 ml lime juice (about 1 lime)
04 2.5 g salt
05 1.25 g ground cumin
06 60 g panko breadcrumbs
07 30 ml olive oil

Tacos

01 8 small corn or flour tortillas
02 30 g shredded lettuce
03 60 g crumbled cotija or feta cheese
04 15 g chopped fresh cilantro
05 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
06 Lime wedges, for serving

How to Make It

Step 01

Prepare Pickled Red Onions: Combine apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add sliced red onion, toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature for at least 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 02

Prepare Avocado Crema: Mash avocados until mostly smooth. Mix in sour cream or Greek yogurt, lime juice, salt, and ground cumin until creamy.

Step 03

Crisp the Avocado Crema: Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Toast panko breadcrumbs, stirring constantly, for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Remove from heat, cool, then fold into avocado mixture.

Step 04

Warm Tortillas: Heat tortillas in dry skillet or wrap in foil and warm in oven until pliable.

Step 05

Assemble Tacos: Spread crispy avocado crema on tortillas. Top with shredded lettuce, drained pickled onions, crumbled cheese, cilantro, and jalapeño slices if desired. Serve with lime wedges.

Tools You’ll Need

  • Sharp knife
  • Mixing bowls
  • Small nonstick skillet
  • Spoon or spatula
  • Citrus juicer (optional)

Possible Allergens

Double-check each ingredient for allergens and consult an expert if you're unsure.
  • Contains milk (sour cream or Greek yogurt, cotija/feta cheese) and wheat (panko breadcrumbs unless gluten-free).
  • Use gluten-free panko and corn tortillas for gluten-free option.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

This data is for informational purposes and shouldn't replace professional advice.
  • Calorie Count: 320
  • Total Fat: 17 grams
  • Total Carbohydrates: 37 grams
  • Protein Content: 7 grams