Barefoot Contessa’s Creamy Creamed Onions Recipe for Holidays

Barefoot Contessa Creamed Onions transform ordinary side dishes into luxurious culinary experiences that spark immediate dinner conversation.

Silky, rich, and wonderfully comforting, these onions represent pure holiday magic on a plate.

Soft pearl onions nestle in a velvety sauce that whispers elegance with each delectable spoonful.

Subtle nuances of cream and butter create a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Traditional yet sophisticated, this classic preparation elevates simple ingredients into something truly memorable.

Gentle cooking techniques coax incredible depth and warmth from humble vegetables, making them irresistibly tender.

Tips to Nail Barefoot Contessa Creamed Onions

• Precise Flour Scooping: Gently spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife for the perfect sauce consistency.
• Gentle Onion Boiling: Simmer onions until just tender to preserve their delicate texture and prevent mushiness.
• Smooth Sauce Technique: Whisk continuously while creating the cream sauce to eliminate any potential lumps and achieve a silky-smooth finish.
• Temperature Timing: Allow onions to rest briefly after cooking to help them absorb the creamy sauce and enhance overall flavor.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dish up to a day in advance and reheat gently to let the flavors meld together beautifully.

Storage Tips for Creamed Onions

• Batch Prep: Divide onions into portion-sized containers before refrigerating. This smart technique allows quick reheating without thawing entire batch, preserving texture and flavor perfectly.
• Long-Term Storage: Freeze creamed onions in freezer-safe glass containers with tight-sealing lids. Carefully label with date and contents, ensuring maximum preservation for up to one month without quality loss.
• Reheating Strategy: Gently warm refrigerated or thawed onions in microwave or stovetop, stirring occasionally to maintain creamy consistency. Add small splash of cream if mixture seems dry during reheating to restore original luxurious texture.

Fun Variations for Barefoot Contessa Creamed Onions

• Herby Pearl Onion Elegance: Enhance the creamy base by stirring in fresh chopped thyme, rosemary, and parsley just before serving, adding a bright herbal complexity to the classic recipe.
• Smoky Bacon-Infused Comfort: Crisp and crumble bacon pieces over the top, then mix in some rendered bacon fat during the cooking process to create a rich, savory depth that complements the sweet onions.
• Cheesy Gratin Style: Sprinkle grated gruyère or sharp cheddar cheese over the onions before baking for 5-7 minutes, creating a golden, crispy cheese crust that adds texture and intense flavor.
• Spiced Mediterranean Touch: Incorporate a pinch of smoked paprika, ground cumin, and a handful of toasted pine nuts to give the creamed onions a warm, exotic Mediterranean-inspired profile.

Finishing Touch on Barefoot Contessa Creamed Onions

Pearl onions nestle in a creamy embrace, revealing Barefoot Contessa’s culinary magic.

Classic comfort arrives through her signature technique of transforming simple ingredients into extraordinary experiences.

Silky milk-based sauce envelops each delicate pearl onion with rich, balanced flavors.

Home cooks can effortlessly replicate this elegant side dish that whispers sophistication from Ina Garten’s kitchen.

Subtle butter undertones complement the onions’ gentle sweetness, creating a memorable accompaniment to holiday meals.

Share this recipe with fellow cooking enthusiasts, spread deliciousness across social media platforms, and let passionate food conversations bloom like these delectable pearl onions.

Why Barefoot Contessa Creamed Onions Are a Classic Side

• Silky Smooth Comfort: Experience a luxurious side dish where tender pearl onions swim in a creamy, velvety sauce that glides effortlessly across your palate, delivering pure culinary comfort.
• Quick and Foolproof Technique: Master a simple cooking method that transforms humble pearl onions into an elegant side dish in just 30 minutes, with minimal kitchen skills required and maximum flavor guaranteed.
• Versatile Holiday Hero: Elevate your festive table with a classic side that complements roasted meats perfectly, bringing a touch of sophistication to traditional holiday meals without overwhelming complex preparation.

What You’ll Need for Barefoot Contessa Creamed Onions

• Pearl Onions: Small, sweet onions perfect for a delicate side dish, choose firm and uniformly sized for even cooking.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and helps soften onions during cooking.

• Whole Milk: Provides rich, creamy base for the sauce, full-fat milk gives the best texture and flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, velvety sauce.

• Quick-Mixing Flour: Creates smooth sauce without lumps, helps thicken the cream base quickly and evenly.

How to Make Creamy, Tender Onions

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a toasty 400°F and position the rack right in the middle of the cooking space.

Step 2: Prepare Onion Bath

Grab a small pot and bring water to a rolling boil. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt to enhance flavor.

Step 3: Soften Pearl Onions

• Fresh pearl onions
• Peeled and ready to cook

Simmer for 7 minutes until they become tender and slightly translucent. Adjust cooking time based on your preferred softness.

Step 4: Capture Cooking Liquid

Carefully drain the onions but save about half a cup of the flavorful cooking water. Keep the pot nearby.

Step 5: Create Buttery Coating

• Creamy butter
• Drained onions
• Reserved cooking water

Swirl and stir until butter melts completely, coating each onion in golden richness.

Step 6: Craft Silky Sauce Base

• Whole milk
• Quick-mixing flour

Blend until smooth and free of lumps.

Step 7: Build Luxurious Cream Sauce

Slowly pour the milk mixture into the onion pot. Stir continuously over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes. The sauce will gradually thicken and become velvety. If needed, sprinkle additional flour to reach perfect consistency.

Step 8: Final Flavor Touch

Taste and season with salt. The creamy onions are now ready to complement roasted meats or shine at holiday gatherings.

Barefoot Contessa Creamed Onions Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s Creamed Onions elevate classic holiday side dishes with silky, rich perfection. Gentle pearl onions bathe in a luxurious cream sauce that promises comfort and sophisticated flavor for special gatherings you’ll treasure.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups peeled pearl onions
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• ¼ cup butter

Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

Thickening Agents:

• ¼ cup quick-mixing flour (such as Wondra), or more as needed
• ¾ cup water

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Instructions

1. Prepare a hot water bath by bringing 190 milliliters () of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan, seasoning with 5 grams () of salt.
2. Carefully add of peeled pearl onions to the boiling water, allowing them to simmer for 6-8 minutes until they become tender but not mushy.
3. Drain the onions, reserving approximately 120 milliliters () of the cooking liquid in the saucepan.
4. Return the saucepan to low heat, introducing 57 grams () of unsalted butter and the drained onions, gently swirling until the butter completely melts and coats the onions evenly.
5. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk 360 milliliters (1 ) of cold whole milk with 30 grams () of quick-mixing flour until the mixture transforms into a smooth, lump-free liquid.
6. Gradually incorporate the milk and flour mixture into the onion pot, stirring continuously to prevent any potential scorching.
7. Maintain medium-low heat, stirring consistently for 10-12 minutes until the sauce achieves a rich, creamy consistency that clings delicately to the onions.
8. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, tasting and fine-tuning to personal preference.
9. Transfer to a warm serving dish, presenting the creamy pearl onions as an elegant accompaniment to roasted meats or traditional holiday fare.

Notes

• Capture the perfect onion texture by cooking them just until they’re tender and translucent, avoiding overcooking that leads to mushy results.
• Precision matters when measuring flour, as even a slight deviation can dramatically alter the sauce’s consistency and overall flavor profile.
• Continuous stirring prevents sauce separation and ensures a silky, uniform texture that coats ingredients beautifully.
• Temperature control is crucial when preparing the dish, keeping ingredients warm without overcooking to maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Fresh ingredients elevate the entire recipe, so choose high-quality onions and flour for the most delicious outcome.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 189 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 455 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 24 mg