Balsamic Glazed Pearl Onions

Some people look at me funny when I tell them I like serving onions as a side dish. The honest truth is that they are amazing if cooked properly, like with these Balsamic Glazed Pearl Onions!

Cooked Onions

There are so many varieties of onion and they all carry a very distinct flavor profile with some being super onion-y and others more mild.

How you cook them also makes a big difference. Caramilized onions take on a sweet note while quickly sauteed will have a little more onion bite. Some dishes even rely heavily on the base flavors for all of the seasoning.

Furthermore, some are onions only, like this dish or my French Baked Onions (basically onions that taste just like French onion soup).

Mini Glazed Pearl Onions

The pearl onion has many names, some depending on geographic location. Other names are button onions, baby onions, creamers and in French, oignon grelot.

Popular in soups and stews, these little onions have a milder flavor profile more reminiscent of a leek. When cooked they release their flavors and softens lightly so the outside is tender but the inside has a little tooth to it.

White Pearl onions are crunchy and mild with firm, juicy, and crisp flesh. Perfect for an onion-centric dish. This is a purely glazed pearl onion recipe.

Frozen vs Fresh

I am generally all about fresh foods… unless we are talking about pearl onions. I’ve bought fresh before to make Beef Bourguignon and let me tell you- they are a pain in the butt to peel!

Little cuts under my nails from the papery skin and it burned. Ugh. You can’t cut off the tops and bottoms like you would to peel a regular onion because then they just fall apart. What a mess. So for these glazed pearl onions, I use frozen.

So now I buy the frozen kind. Don’t diss frozen veggies! If frozen correctly, they actually retain nutrients really well. And here, they save you oodles of time.

The Sauce

The sauce here is a blend between a balsamic glaze and cream based sauce commonly made for onions.

Brown sugar helps to caramelize balsamic vinegar into a syrup while butter makes it rich and creamy. Dijon mustard adds some pizzazz.

PRO TIP: When using dried herbs, rub it together between your palms to activite natural oils.

I use dried parsley for my balsamic glazed pearl onions, but you can also use freshly, chopped parsley. Use about 1 tablespoons of fresh.

Next you just let it all dissolve before adding frozen onions. Simmer until onions are warm and sauce as reduced. The extra water from frozen onions will loosen it a bit, but after simmering, it will thicken.

Make Ahead & Storage of Glazed Pearl Onions

Glazed baby onions can be made up to 2 days in advance. Simply make the whole recipe and refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve. Heat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Onions will stay good for up to a week in the fridge.

This recipe can also be frozen and thawed for a later occasion.

More Delicious Holiday Side Dishes:

Monday Holiday Side Dish Recipes:

• Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles by House of Nash Eats
• Balsamic Glazed Baby Onions by Savory Experiments
• Best Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe by The Fresh Cooky
• Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Stuffing by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Brussels Sprouts and Potatoes with Sausage Crumbles by Food Lust People Love
• Cauliflower Gratin by Lemon Blossoms
• Cheese Herb Potato Gratin by Shockingly Delicious
• Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole by Blogghetti
• Cranberry Fluff by An Affair from the Heart
• Easy Chorizo Cornbread Dressing by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Cranberries & Pecans by Sweet Beginnings
• Holiday Side Salad by Our Good Life
• Honey Roasted Carrots by Devour Dinner
• No Knead Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Roasted Buttercup Squash by Palatable Pastime
• Roasted fingerling potatoes with Parmesan by The Foodie Affair
• Sauteed Spinach with Bacon by Kate’s Recipe Box
• Slow Cooker Cheesy Vegetables by Cheese Curd in Paradise
• Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans by West Via Midwest
• Sweet Potato Salad by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Traditional Cranberry Sauce by Family Around the Table
• Twiced Baked Sweet Potatoes by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

Print Recipe

5 from 8 votes

Balsamic Glazed Baby Onions

These EASY Balsamic Glazed Pearl Onions are great for a simple side dish. Elegant enough for the holidays, but also for weeknight meals!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time25 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pearl onion recipe

Servings: 6

Calories: 84kcal

Author: Jessica Formicola

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 14.4 ounces frozen pearl onions
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Instructions

• In a small saucepan, combine unsalted butter, light brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Kosher salt, parsley flakes and balsamic vinegar, bring to a low boil.
  
• Simmer for 5-10 minutes or until sugars have dissolved and sauce has thickened.
• Add frozen onions, tossing to coat. Continue to cook on medium heat until onions have thawed.
  
• Remove and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.
• If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings!

Nutrition

Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 219mg | Potassium: 108mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 117IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg