Are you looking for a way to turn onions into a holiday-worthy side dish? Look no further than creamed onions. Pearl onions paired with a rich cheese sauce turns a few simple ingredients into a luxurious dish that warms every family gathering. Try this creamed onions recipe, and it will quickly become one of your Thanksgiving Day Traditions.
Why I Love Creamed Onions
As food costs rise and we all feel the twinge of tight budgets, I find it helpful to draw from the wisdom of our grandparents and great-grandparents, who faced much greater challenges during the economic hardship of the Great Depression.
Onions were popular in Depression-era gardens since they were relatively easy to grow and stored well through colder months. In fact, believe it or not, a common way of eating onions was stuffing them with peanut butter!
I have shared clever ways to preserve your harvest, from storing onions the right way to making homemade onion powder and preserving caramelized onions. Yet, every homestead needs a tried-and-true recipe featuring onions, and creamed onions fit the bill.
While we may associate onions with pungent smells and weepy eyes, cooking transforms them into a sweet, complex flavor unmatched by other vegetables. Adding cream (from the family milk cow in Depression times) brings a delicacy and complexity that makes this dish almost indulgent, especially next to Roasted Garlic Chicken, Roast Goose, or Spatchcock Turkey.
Recipe Variations
Creamed onions are one of those side dishes that can be made in many ways to suit different tastes and diets. Here are some variations you might enjoy:
| Variation | Description | Key Ingredients |
| Creamed onions with cheese | Enhanced with cheese for a rich, savory flavor. | In addition to parmesan in the basic recipe, add cheddar cheese. |
| Gluten-free creamed onions | Made to accommodate gluten sensitivities. | Use 1:1 Gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour. |
| Vegan creamed onions | For those who avoid dairy products. | Swap out plant-based butter and milk. |
| Caramelized onions | Added sweetness and depth from caramelized onions. | In another saucepan, caramelize some onions and stir them in at the end. |
| Herb-infused | Unique flavor profile with various herbs. | Add fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley. |
In The Homestead Kitchen
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How to Make Creamed Onions
Supplies Needed
- Dutch Oven – An enameled Dutch oven or heavy stock pot works great.
- Saucepan – A medium to large saucepan is best.
- Whisk – There is no substitute for this tool. A whisk is critical to make your sauce smooth and velvety.
Ingredients Needed
- Pearl Onions – Fresh or frozen works great.
- Butter – Learn how to make homemade butter here.
- Flour – All-purpose flour works best.
- Salt – I recommend a high-quality salt such as Redmond Real Salt. (Using that link for Redmond Salt will automatically give you 15% off your order!)
- Ground Black Pepper – You can use black or white pepper.
- Chicken Broth – We use homemade bone broth, but store-bought chicken broth works, too.
- Half and Half – If you don’t have half and half on hand, you can substitute 1 cup of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream.
- Shredded Parmesan Cheese – Use authentic parmesan cheese without added fillers. The ingredients should simply be milk, salt, cheese culture, and rennet.
Step-by-Step Directions
- Add 2 quarts of water to a large, heavy stock pot or Dutch oven and bring to a boil.
- To the boiling water, add onions and cook until tender, about five to seven minutes.
- Drain cooked onions (or remove with a slotted spoon) and rinse in cold water. (If using fresh onions, peel them and discard the skins.)
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour, salt, and pepper and whisk until smooth. Cook for one minute.
- Slowly add the broth and half and half (or milk and heavy cream), whisking steadily to combine. Once the liquid is fully incorporated, simmer until thickened and bubbly (about three minutes.)
- Add cheese, stirring constantly until melted. Gently fold in onions and cook for two to three minutes more to heat through.
- Serve warm.
Did you make this creamed onion recipe? If so, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below. Then snap a photo and tag us on social media @homesteadingfamily so we can see!
FAQ
Creamed onions are a tasty side dish. They are made by cooking whole pearl onions until they’re soft. Then, they’re covered in a creamy sauce with salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.
Traditionally, pearl onions are used because of their small size and sweet taste.
You’ll need pearl onions, butter, flour, half and half, and seasonings like salt and pepper. Chicken broth and parmesan cheese can also be added for extra flavor.
Pearl onions are small and sweet, unlike regular onions, which are larger and more pungent. Their size and flavor make them perfect for creamed onions. They soak up the sauce well and add a sweet onion taste.
Store creamed onions in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat them gently over medium heat. Add a bit of heavy cream if needed to keep it smooth. Avoid microwaving, as it can ruin the texture.
Other Posts You May Enjoy
- Homesteading Family’s Thanksgiving Traditions
- Thanksgiving Spatchcock Turkey Recipe
- Preserving Caramelized Onions (Balsamic Onions)
- How to Make Onion Powder From Scratch (Easy DIY Recipe)
- Growing Onions From Seed
- How to Store Onions the RIGHT Way
Creamed Onions
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
- Saucepan
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 5 cups pearl onions fresh or frozen
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 3 Tablespoons flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups half and half
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Add 2 quarts of water to a large, heavy stock pot or Dutch oven and bring to a boil.
- To the boiling water, add onions and cook until tender (5-7 minutes).
- Drain cooked onions (or remove with a slotted spoon) and rinse in cold water. (If using fresh, peel onions and discard the skins.)
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour, salt, and pepper and whisk until smooth. Cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly add the broth and milk/heavy cream, whisking steadily to combine. Once the liquid is fully incorporated, simmer until thickened and bubbly (about 3 minutes.)
- Add cheese, stirring constantly until melted. Gently fold in onions and cook for 2-3 minutes more to heat through. Serve warm.
Notes
Recipe Variations
Creamed onions are one of those side dishes that can be made in many ways to suit different tastes and diets. Here are some variations you might enjoy:| Variation | Description | Key Ingredients |
| Creamed onions with cheese | Enhanced with cheese for a rich, savory flavor. | In addition to parmesan in the basic recipe add cheddar cheese |
| Gluten-free creamed onions | Made to accommodate gluten sensitivities. | Gluten-free flour |
| Vegan creamed onions | In addition to parmesan in the basic recipe, add cheddar cheese | Plant-based butter and milk |
| Caramelized onions | Added sweetness and depth from caramelized onions. | Caramelized onions |
| Herb-infused | Unique flavor profile with various herbs. | Fresh thyme, rosemary, parsley |
