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    A Full Living » Blog » Side Dishes

    Published: Apr 26, 2022 by Briana · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Creamed Pearl Onions Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    creamed pearl onions recipe

    If you love onions, you have to try these Creamy Pearl Onions made on the stovetop. This delicious recipe is the perfect side to roast beef and is popular as a side dish to any holiday meal. You'll love these luscious, flavorful, and tender pearl onions in a cream sauce.

    creamed pearl onions in a white bowl topped with parsley and fresh thyme on grey linen napkin.

    What do you get when you slowly cook down fresh pearl onions in a creamy sauce with herbs? It's something pretty simple, yet exquisite.

    These baby onions can accompany nearly anything you can think of, and they certainly have a place on the ultimate holiday table. Simple, yet decadent, this velvety side dish shouldn't be overlooked!

    Make sure to get started with this guide on how to blanch and peel pearl onions! You should also try this pressure cooker beef bourguignon, a classic French beef stew that uses pearl onions.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️Why you'll love this
    • 🧅Ingredients
    • ✏️Ingredient Notes
    • 📖Instructions
    • ✨More delicious side dishes to try
    • 💭Variations
    • 🛒Shop this post
    • 🥣Storage
    • 🌟Leave a review!
    • 📖 Recipe

    ❤️Why you'll love this

    • Minimal and staple ingredients - There aren't too many ingredients to keep track of in this dish. Anything you don't already have on hand can be found at most grocery stores.
    • Made on the stovetop - This recipe comes together right on the stovetop, though it can also be placed in a baking dish and cooked in the oven if you prefer.
    • Versatile - Anything that goes well with onions could benefit from this yummy and creamy dish.
    • Easy to prepare - There are just a few simple steps to make this dish come together!

    🧅Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients you will need, plus a few extras. You can find full quantities and nutritional information in the recipe card.

    creamed pearl onions ingredients graphic with text to denote the pearl onions, heavy cream, butter, salt, pepper, nutmeg, chicken broth, thyme, and parsley.

    ✏️Ingredient Notes

    Here is a list of ingredients, you can see the recipe card for quantities.

    • Pearl onions - Any color you like. We used yellow. Fresh onions can be used but will need to be blanched and peeled first. You can also use frozen pearl onions.
    • Unsalted butter - We recommend using unsalted because you can control the salt level easier this way.
    • Chicken broth - Or any liquid of choice. Chicken stock, beef broth or stock, white wine, dry sherry, and port wine are all excellent choices to help deglaze the pan and infuse the sauce with a lot of flavor.
    • Heavy cream
    • Kosher salt & black pepper
    • Ground nutmeg - An optional ingredient, but we highly recommend adding a small amount. It adds a lovely warm flavor to the onions.
    • Fresh thyme & parsley - Optional, but yummy!

    📖Instructions

    🔪Prep work

    To peel pearl onions easily, you first have to blanch them in hot water for a few minutes. After boiling, plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Then, you cut them from the stem end and peel them easily. Check out our guide on how to blanch and peel pearl onions for step-by-step instructions and photos!

    peeled pearl onions in a small dish.

    Melt butter over medium heat in a sauté pan or skillet. Place onions in the pan in a single layer, and season with salt. Don't move much, for at least 3-4 minutes, then move gently with a wooden spoon. We want to caramelize the onions.

    fresh pearl onions in an enameled skillet with butter.
    caramelizing pearl onions in a skillet with butter,

    Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook to allow onions to soften and turn golden brown on all sides. Add a little water or broth if the pan becomes too dry to deglaze. Sauté for roughly 15 minutes until the onions are nice and soft.

    hand pouring in broth to a skillet with caramelizing pearl onions.
    pearl onions in a skillet with a wooden spoon being caramelized.

    After the onions are golden brown, add in any remaining chicken broth, and heavy whipping cream. Stir to combine.

    pearl onions in a pan.
    pouring in cream to a skillet full of caramelized pearl onions.
    hand stirring cream and pearl onions with a wooden spoon.

    Add black pepper, nutmeg, and thyme. Allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened. 

    Pro tip: don't allow the sauce to boil, or the cream will curdle.

    hand sprinkling on seasoning to caramelized pearl onions in cream sauce in a skillet.
    stirring creamed pearl onions with a wooden spoon.

    Adjust seasonings to taste, and add more liquid for a thinner sauce if desired. Serve with roast beef, or nearly any meat, poultry, or game. Enjoy!

    spooning creamed pearl onions onto a plate of roast beef.

    ✨More delicious side dishes to try

    Planning a big meal? Try some of these other sides!

    • Maple glazed carrots
    • Crispy smashed potatoes with herbs garlic & parmesan
    • Creamy mashed turnips
    • Keto green bean casserole
    • Redskin mashed potatoes

    💭Variations

    Here are our top suggestions for altering these delicious baby onions.

    • For more of a creamy white sauce - you can skip caramelizing these on the stovetop and cook them in a baking dish in the oven for about 45 minutes at 350°F.
    • Add parmesan cheese - Another delicious addition to this dish is to add freshly grated parmesan cheese when you add the cream. It adds a saltiness and umami flavor that is simply irresistible. Just make sure you are grating it fresh, so that it melts properly.
    • Vegan - Simply swap the butter for vegan butter, and the cream for your favorite vegan substitute, like coconut or cashew cream.

    🛒Shop this post

    Want more supplies for this recipe or to shop our kitchen or pantry? We've linked our favorites right here in our Amazon Store!  

    A Full Living is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate program, an affiliate advertising program designed to promote a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking products to amazon.com. We only share products we use and love. It doesn't cost you anything extra to shop using our links, but we earn a small commission that helps us keep this site going! 

    hand holding a spoonful of creamed pearl onions with thyme, and parsley above a ruffled rimmed bowl.

    🥣Storage

    Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. We don't recommend freezing these.

    🌟Leave a review!

    Make sure to leave a 5-star review below! This helps other readers find our recipes via Google, and encourages them to try them. Also be sure to leave a comment with your experience!

    Take a photo and share with us by tagging us on Instagram or follow along on Pinterest for more ideas!

    📖 Recipe

    creamed pearl onions recipe

    Creamed Pearl Onions Recipe

    If you love onions, you have to try these Creamy Pearl Onions made on the stovetop. This delicious recipe is the perfect side to roast beef and is popular as a side dish to any holiday meal. You'll love these luscious, flavorful, and tender pearl onions in a cream sauce.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Author: Briana

    Ingredients

    • 20 ounces pearl onions, blanched and peeled (can use frozen)
    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt (or to taste)
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
    • pinch of nutmeg (optional)
    • 6 ounces broth of choice (or can use wine)
    • 6 ounces heavy whipping cream
    • minced parsley & fresh thyme for garnish

    Instructions

    • Melt butter over medium heat in a sauté pan or skillet. Place onions in the pan in a single layer, and season with salt. Don't move much, for at least 3-4 minutes, then move gently with a wooden spoon. We want to caramelize the onions.
    • Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook to allow onions to soften and turn golden brown on all sides. Add a little water or broth if the pan becomes too dry to deglaze. Sauté for roughly 15 minutes until the onions are nice and soft.
    • After the onions are golden brown, add in any remaining chicken broth, and heavy whipping cream. Stir to combine.
    • Add black pepper, nutmeg, and thyme. Allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Adjust seasonings to taste, and add more liquid for a thinner sauce if desired. Serve with roast beef, or nearly any meat, poultry, or game. Enjoy!
    • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    Notes

     
    • Pro tip: don't allow the sauce to boil, or the cream will curdle.
    • These onions can also be made in the oven, by adding all ingredients to an oven-safe dish and baking at 350*F for about 30-35 minutes. 
    • Season to taste with salt, pepper, nutmeg & fresh herbs. 
    • Use any broth or wine of choice for the liquid. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 524mg | Potassium: 131mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 490IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

    These nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy and are only estimates. We cannot guarantee the accuracy.

    Did you love it?If you made this recipe, make sure to show us on Instagram at @AFullLiving or tag #AFullLiving! We love to see what you guys are making!
    Course: Side Dish, Sides
    Cuisine: American
    « How To Blanch and Peel Pearl Onions
    Beef Bourguignon Pressure Cooker Recipe »

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