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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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Jen
I’m going to try this to encourage my kids to eat more veggies. Looks delicious!
Kara
My grandma used to make this when we would visit. Such a tasty way to serve peas!
Paige Thomason
This SO reminds me of my grandmother! I haven’t thought about this recipe in years, but it looks really delicious….I’ll add it to my list!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Paige! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Alli
This is so good. Brings back so many memories of my childhood.
Chelsea
This is the best side dish! Also thanks for your awesome tips and for sharing this amazing recipe! SOOO GOOD!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Chelsea! You have a wonderful day!
Tanya
This is one of those classic side dishes that always disappears! Its so good!
Becky
This is amazing and taste so delicious!!! Love it! I did not know that peas are high in fiber and protein.
Allyson
I’ve never heard of creamed peas but this looks delicious! TRYING IT!
Jerry G
I love me some creamed peas and pearl onions. I can’t seem to find them in the frozen foods any longer. Now l can make my own! Thanks small towm woman. Can’t wait to make some of my own.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome! I love creamed peas too! So delicious. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Sally Davis
I can’t wait to try creamed onions&peas. When we were.groowing up our grandma lived with us she was from England & that was one of the dishes she cooked I always loved it I. Now have a. Boyfriend who likes peas so I will be. Making it, my husband did not like them, he passed in 04. That dish just sticks in my head.:)
Beth Pierce
I love them too! They are so delicious. I hope you and your boyfriend like them.