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!
Creamed Peas – the Ultimate Comfort Food
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.
Creamed Peas Ingredients
You will need five easy ingredients for this recipe: pearl onions, butter, flour, whole milk, and frozen peas.
How to make Creamed Peas
They are so incredibly easy to make. Simply blanch your 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. Then whisk in the flour and continue whisking until the mixture is a light golden brown. Next, 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.
Recipe Tips
- If youthicker creamed peashicker, increase the butter and flour by 1 tablespoon.
- For additional flavor, add a little bit of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme leaves, or even a pinch of nutmeg for additional flavor.
- 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.
- 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.
Ways to Eat Creamed Peas
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, first cool to room temperature, then 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
- 2 1/2 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 your creamed peas thicker, increase the butter and flour by 1 tablespoon.
- For additional flavor, add a little bit of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme leaves, or even a pinch of nutmeg.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Nutrition
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Jenn
My grandmother used to make this recipe for us and I thought I’d never be able to enjoy it again! Your recipe is just like hers – I love it! Thank you!
Suzie
Was craving creamed peas & onions. Went to Publix but couldn’t find the frozen ones. So I got some frozen petite peas. Fresh pearl onions. Came home and found this recipe. So easy to make, and so delicious. Much better than the frozen one. My roommate loved it! Will be making it again!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Suzie! So glad that you like them. I love creamed peas and pearl onions! So yummy! Now spoon them over creamy mashed potatoes and it is pure joy!
ERNEST Plyman
Grandma used to add mushrooms and bacon as well. Although everything including the bacon was made on the farm. Wonderful childhood memories.
Beth Pierce
I bet! That sounds amazing! Oh if only we could travel back in time.
Teri
Haven’t tried your recipe as of yet, however was talking to my mother around Christmas time about how I was craving these. She said her secret when she made them, she blended the milk with a piece of wheat bread in the blender and added a pinch of nutmeg, and used white pepper, not black pepper.
Beth Pierce
Very interesting Teri! Thanks for the tips!
Linda
I LOVE peas and pearl onions that my mother on law used to serve at thanksgiving. She got me to try them for the first time and now I cant have them enough! Beside her and myself I am not sure if anyone else appreciated how delicious they are! cant wait to make them.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Linda! I love peas and pearl onions too! They are so delicious! Have a great Thanksgiving!
Laura Reese
Great memories. The best way to serve peas.
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.