These sweet Creamed Peas with Pearl Onions combine green peas and pearl onions with a luscious cream sauce, made easily with a roux, into the best side dish ever. With just seven ingredients and a few minutes, you can have this comfort food like Grandma made on your table!
Are you looking for a tasty and simple side dish? Look no further than this creamed peas recipe! With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up a delicious and creamy dish that the whole family will love. If you don’t like onions, add peeled and cooked diced potatoes. Or try crispy cooked bacon for a little more Southern flair. I love to serve these peas with chicken fried chicken, baked cod, and bacon wrapped chicken.
I am a believer that one can never have enough side dish recipes. Especially ones like this dish. If you like this recipe, try my creamed corn, Brussels Sprouts with bacon, and spinach casserole.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Pearl onions: Either fresh or frozen. If you can not find pearl onions, saute some chopped onion.
- Butter: unsalted or salted. If using salted butter reduce the amount of added salt to 1/4 teaspoon.
- Milk: preferably whole milk
- Peas: Frozen peas are best for this recipe. You can use canned peas, but drain them well and almost completely thicken the sauce before adding them, as they are fully cooked and only need warming.
- Seasonings: salt and pepper. For additional flavor, add a little bit of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme leaves, or even a pinch of nutmeg.
- Heavy cream: If you have it add a splash or two but I would not purchase the cream just for this recipe.
How to make Creamed Peas
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
They are so incredibly easy to make. Blanch the pearl onions in a saucepan full of boiling water for 2 minutes, and then pinch the stem end, and the pearl onion will pop out.
Now, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and continue whisking until the mixture is a light golden brown. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue cooking until the mixture is slightly thickened. Then add the peas and pearl onions to the cream mixture and simmer. Finally, salt and pepper to taste and garnish with fresh herbs!
How do you like your Creamed Peas?
I personally don’t like them too thick. However, if you like them pretty t then increase the butter and flour by 1 tablespoon. If you like them even thinner, add 2-3 extra tablespoons of milk (one at a time) until they are the desired thickness. Make sure you stir between each tablespoon to see the consistency.
Preparation Tips
- If you like thicker creamed peas, increase the butter and flour by 1 tablespoon.
- For a little added sweetness, add 1 teaspoon of sugar.
- For a change of pace, add 1 cup of cooked small sliced Yukon Gold Potatoes, 1/4 cup of chopped cooked crispy bacon, or 1/2 cup of finely diced cooked carrots.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many delicious ways to eat these beauties!!
- Over mashed potatoes or baked potatoes
- Ladled over toasted sourdough bread
- Spooned over roasted or fried chicken
- Over cheesy hashbrown potatoes
- With cornbread, corn fritters, or corn muffins.
- Poured over turkey and stuffing.
- Over homemade salmon patties
- With pork schnitzel
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
To freeze, cool to room temperature, spoon into freezer bags or freezer containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
More Side Dish Recipes
Easy Creamed Peas Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fresh pearl onions
- 4 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2½ cups frozen peas
- kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 pinches ground nutmeg optional
- 1-2 splashes heavy cream optional
Instructions
- Slice off the root ends of the pearl onions and drop them into boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Pinch the stem end, and the peeled pearl onion will pop out. Set them aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and continue whisking until the mixture is a light golden brown. Slowly whisk in milk and continue whisking until the mixture thickens slightly; 2-3 minutes.
- Add peas and pearl onions (that were set aside). Simmer for 5-7 minutes or until the peas are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, add a little nutmeg and a splash of cream.
Notes
- If you like thicker creamed peas, increase the butter and flour by 1 tablespoon.
- For a little added sweetness, add 1 teaspoon of sugar.
- For a change of pace, add 1 cup of cooked small sliced Yukon Gold Potatoes, 1/4 cup of chopped cooked crispy bacon, or 1/2 cup of finely diced cooked carrots.
Nutrition
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Juliana
I loved these creamed peas and pearl onions. So good over mashed potatoes with your pan fried chicken recipe. A little country food is always pure comfort.
Beth Pierce
I could not agree more!
Lisa M
This is such a comforting dish! I love that it’s simple with just a few ingredients but still packed with flavor!! It is so yummy with chicken fried chicken or fried pork chops. My husband loves both of those meals with your creamed peas recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Lisa! I am so glad that you and your husband like them!
Karen
Creamed peas oh wow! I never had creamed peas before trying your recipe, DELIECIOUS…Thanks a lot for the amazing recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Karen!
Melody
I don’t recall having tried creamed peas before. They do sound different. My husband likes trying new things so here goes….
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Melody! Enjoy!
Tammy
I love these creamed peas. They reminded me of the ones my Grandma used to make. Food can be so nostalgic and bring back such wonderful memories. Thank you!
Beth Pierce
I agree!
Tracey K
I love peas, but I’m not a fan of mushy peas (common in the UK). However this recipe was amazing! I added some crispy bacon pieces and a little parmesan cheese … and I had some bread to dip in the sauce! Yummy!
Beth Pierce
That sounds absolutely delicious!
Nancy
The creamed peas were so delicious and creamy. They made the perfect side dish for my roasted chicken. Simple recipe but tasty.
April
If using frozen onions do I need to partially cook, or thaw them?
Beth Pierce
Thaw and cook them a little bit so they are not crunchy.
Paul
My Grandma used to make creamed peas with pearl onions and so I wanted to try your recipe. It was very good and seemed just like she used to make with the 1 teaspoon of sugar. Keeper recipe for sure!!!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Paul! I am so glad that you liked the creamed peas. We love them too!
Jeanna
Can you use frozen pearl onions?
Beth Pierce
Yes you most certainly can.
Monica
Love the pea-onion combo! Your recipe’s simplicity suits a non-cook like me. The creamy texture and flavors were spot-on. The instructions were easy to follow and the recipe was delicious. Keep these foolproof recipes coming!
Kay
Love, love, love this recipe. Good home style cooking just can’t be beat. You have the best recipes.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kay! So glad that you liked the creamed peas!
Frank
My new favorite comfort food side dish. I served them with roast pork loin and they were so yummy. Next time I am going to make them with your chicken fried chicken recipe. I can’t wait.
Susan m
These sweet Creamed Peas with Pearl Onions look so good. This recipe is right up my alley and I appreciate your sharing the recipe with us!