Pickled Onion Review #7: Baxters - A Tale of Two Silverskins

Even if you’re not a die-hard pickled onion fan, there are times when you just want a dependable, everyday pickled onion that you can snag from your local supermarket—no hassle involved.

Beyond the simple, sharp pleasure of a good pickled onion, there's a case to be made for them being a healthy choice. As a fermented food, they have probiotics - good bacteria that help with digestive health. They help with weight loss by making you feel fuller, and they give your immune system a boost with antioxidants.

With that in mind, I was hoping the standard-issue Baxters onions on my local Morrisons shelf would fit the bill: Baxters Silverskin Onions and Baxters Large Silverskin Onions. I was, however, left a little disappointed.

Readers will know I prefer a larger onion and proper malt vinegar over spirit vinegar. So, my money was on the Large Silverskin Onions. The jar even promised a "crunchy & tangy" experience. But they just didn't deliver. They lacked the sharp, assertive tang that I crave. The cinnamon and ginger in the ingredients added a certain fullness to the flavour. But it wasn't enough to rescue them from the overall weakness.

The same two Baxters jars now opened, showing a top-down view of the pickled onions floating in their dark amber pickling liquid. The onions appear plump and well-preserved, with the liquid having that rich, malty colour that suggests proper fermentation. The aardvark print provides a rustic backdrop as the evaluation begins.

Interestingly, I ended up enjoying the smaller Silverskin Onions more, even if I had to munch on three to get a satisfying mouthful. They delivered the necessary tang, had a pleasant crunch, and a satisfying bite; while they won’t change the world, they definitely got the essentials right.

Photo: The testing phase in full swing - metal pickle forks hold several pickled onions above each opened jar for comparison. The onions glisten appetisingly in their amber-coloured brine against the wooden surface, whilst the aardvark print completes this thoroughly British tasting setup.

It’s a curious twist that the smaller, seemingly less impressive onion stole the spotlight. The larger ones served as a reminder that without that essential vinegary punch, even the best spices can’t save the day.

Baxters Large Silverskin Onions: 2 onions out of 5. - 🧅🧅❌❌❌

Baxters Silverskin Onions: 3 onions out of 5. - 🧅🧅🧅❌❌

Related post