Barley Free Buttered Pearl Onions and Peas
Sweet, buttery, and impossibly simple, this classic side dish is the kind of thing that makes a weeknight dinner feel a little more special. Pearl onions get a slow simmer until tender, then a quick blast of heat to develop those gorgeous golden edges before the peas join the party — bright, fresh, and just barely cooked through. The whole thing comes together in one skillet with butter, water, thyme, and a handful of honest ingredients that need no label-checking or substitutions. For anyone navigating a barley-free lifestyle, this recipe is naturally in the clear — no grains, no fillers, no hidden additives to worry about. Fresh thyme gives it an herby lift, and a scatter of flat-leaf parsley at the end makes it look like something you'd order at a bistro. It pairs beautifully with roasted meats, a simple chicken breast, or honestly just about anything you're already making for dinner.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 lb fresh or frozen pearl onions
- 2 cups fresh or frozen peas
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ cup water
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
If using fresh pearl onions, bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Score a shallow X on the root end of each onion, then blanch for 1 minute. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until cool enough to handle. Pinch each onion at the stem end to slip off the skin. If using frozen pearl onions, skip this step — they are already peeled.
- 2
In a large skillet, combine the peeled pearl onions, ½ cup water, 1 tbsp of the butter, and the salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then cover and cook until the onions are just tender when pierced with a knife, about 8–10 minutes.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!