Step 1

Wash.  Wash and sterilize jars and lids by filling them with boiling water or running them through a cycle of the dishwasher. You'll need two 8 oz jars or one 16 oz. jar.

Step 2

Combine. Combine the ingredients for the pickling liquid and simmer until the sugar and salt have dissolved and the brine has begun to boil. You can heat the pickling brine in a saucepan on the stovetop or in a glass container in the microwave.

Step 3

Slice. Slice the onion. You can use either a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer to make slices about ¼ inch thick.

Step 4

Fill. Fill the jars with the onion slices, garlic cloves and black peppercorns.

Step 5

Pour. Cool the brine slightly, then pour it over the onion slices to fill the jars, leaving about ½ inch of headroom.

Step 6

Store. Add a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to a month.