Creamed Pearl Onions

Tender, sweet pearl onions in a luscious cream sauce make up the Creamed Pearl Onions which are a classic side dish.

This recipe is made with small, mild pearl onions that are briefly boiled to soften them before being smothered in a rich and creamy white sauce. The result is a rich and savory dish that complements a variety of main courses, particularly during holiday meals.

Creamed Pearl Onions

Would you believe this recipe was my introduction to cooking pearl onions? I’ve seen them in the store before, but never really knew what to do with them.

A reader gave me this recipe about a year ago (Hi, Freda!) and I finally had a chance to try it a few weeks ago. The combination of tender, sweet onions and that creamy rich sauce was a definite win, especially with my oldest son.

What Are Pearl Onions?

Pearl onions, also known as button, baby, or silverskin onions, are a type of very small onion. They are typically about the size of a marble or a small gumball. Oftentimes, not only are they smaller than traditional onions, but they are also milder in flavor.

Pearl onions are often used in cooking to add a subtle onion flavor to dishes without overpowering them. They can also be pickled, roasted, sautéed, or used in various culinary preparations.

While white pearl onions are the most common variety, they can also be found in shades of red and gold. Pearl onions can be purchased fresh or frozen, which is especially useful when they’re out of season.

Creamed Onion Recipe

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:

• pearl onions, fresh or frozen
• butter
• flour
• milk
• heavy cream
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• ground nutmeg
• fresh Italian parsley

How To Cook Pearl Onions

Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Add the frozen onions and simmer 5-7 minutes, until tender. Drain well.

In a medium-sized skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to combine. Slowly add the milk to the flour and whisk to combine.

Add the cream, and continue whisking while bringing the mixture to a low simmer to thicken. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Taste and adjust as desired.

Add the onions and the parsley to the sauce and stir until heated through. Serve warm.

Creamed Onions

Looking for more onion side dishes? Thanks to the magic of slow cooking, you can create these wonderfully buttery Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions with almost no effort at all.

Air Fryer Onions are a quick and easy way to get tender, yet crispy-edged onions perfect for topping a burger or adding to an omelet.

These quick and easy Sauteed Peppers and Onions make for a tasty side or topping for steaks, sandwiches, or delicious tacos and fajitas.

Tender and buttery Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions are a terrific side dish on their own. However, if you happen to enjoy them anywhere near as much as I do, you’ll want to pile them over your next pan of steak bites or serve them with these roasted chicken thighs.

Fresh vegetables are tossed in a mixture of oil and spices before being quickly cooked to create this irresistible skillet of Sauteed Zucchini and Onions.