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 these this dish. If you like this recipe, try my creamed corn, Brussels Sprouts with bacon, and cauliflower 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
Are you on the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Tammy
Oooh I love the pearl onions. It’s a really nice touch to this dish. It is so delcious and easy to make..a perfect side for roasts!
Tanya
Creamed Peas with Pearl Onions – a nostalgic journey back to the comforting flavors of Grandma’s kitchen! This recipe is a testament to simplicity, using just seven ingredients to create a side dish that steals the spotlight on any table.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Tanya! So glad that you liked them.
Catie
We made them last night for a side dish with meatloaf. Everyone loved them. Thanks for the recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Catie!
Hari
This recipe looks delish and beautiful. I am a big fan of peas!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Hari! Enjoy!
Yolanda
These creamed peas are so tasty. Especially poured over a pile of mashed potatoes. Really good recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Yolanda! So glad that you liked them!
Michelle
The combination of sweet peas and pearl onions in that luscious cream sauce was absolutely divine. Of course I love peas. This is my new favorite side dish!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Michelle! So glad that you liked them!
Tisha
I have always loved creamed peas! This recipe is just as delicious as my late grandmothers! Thanks for the recipe, Beth
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome! Enjoy!
Tracey Kifford
It never occured to me to cook onions with peas, and serve in a cream sauce – but it so works. It’s amazing!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Tracy! So glad that you liked them! We love them too!
Claudia
I absolutely love these peas and onions. They’re so creamy. I served them with some pork chops, and they were amazing.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Claudia! I am happy that you enjoyed them!
Allyson
My mom used to make something similar growing up and I haven’t had it forever! I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Allyson! Enjoy!
katerina
Oh my goodness!! This has to be the perfect side dish! SO delicious!
Steph
I was never a ‘pea person’ until I tried this recipe. The texture of the pearl onions and the peas is perfect – and that sauce! Yum!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Steph! So glad that you like them!
Sandra
Such a great side dish! Everyone at my house loved it!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sandra!
Karen
Peas and onions and cream….I am 100% sold!!! this looks so so good!!! Thank you so much for the amazing recipe, it is very easy to follow.
Erin
Such an amazing side dish! We loved it!
Cathy
These creamed peas are the best side dish ever. I love them with smoked ham and roasted red potatoes. I could eat them twice a week for the rest of my life.