Spice Free Buttered Pearl Onions and Peas
Sweet, buttery, and impossibly simple, this 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 caramelize their edges into something golden and lightly glazed — all without a single spice in sight. That makes it a natural fit for anyone avoiding even the mildest seasonings, since the only flavor boosters here are fresh thyme, parsley, and good unsalted butter. The peas go in at the end, staying bright green and just barely cooked, which gives the whole dish a lovely contrast in color and texture. It's the kind of recipe that proves you don't need a long spice rack to build real, satisfying flavor. Serve it alongside roasted chicken, a simple pasta, or really anything that could use a pop of freshness on the plate.
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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.
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