Keto Creamed Pearl Onions - Only 4 Ingredients

Q: Are pearl onions keto-friendly?

They are indeed keto - friendly when consumed in moderation. These small, sweet onions pack a flavorful punch with a relatively low glycemic index. When you add the heavy cream (and possibly cheese), these low carb creamed onions can be enjoyed on a keto diet.

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These Keto Creamed Pearl Onions only take minutes to make and only require 4 basic ingredients. This keto side dish is easy enough to make for a busy weeknight but also fancy enough to serve at your next holiday gathering!

keto creamed pearl onions in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon and fresh thyme

Table of Contents

Easy Keto Side Dish Recipe

Who knew that you could make delicious keto creamed pearl onions so easily? One of my all-time favourite keto side dishes, this recipe is indulgent and will take your next dinner party, Thanksgiving, or Christmas table up a notch. Pearl onions are cooked until nice and golden with a lovely bite, tossed in a cream sauce with a touch of parmesan for a truly restaurant-quality dish.

Pair it with this Beef Brisket Recipe for a deliciously decadent keto dinner!

What Makes This Low Carb Side Dish So Good

This dish is shockingly delicious! If you’ve never had or heard of creamed pearl onions before, then you have got to try this recipe today! I can honestly say this is one of my favourite low carb side dish recipes that I make every holiday!
It’s super savoury with a subtle sweetness that’s only complimented by the rich, cream sauce.
Easiest recipe ever that only takes minutes to come together and only requires a handful of ingredients!

easy keto side dish made up of onions, heavy cream, butter and cheese with a spoon to stir the cheese

Low Carb Creamed Onions Ingredients

Ready for the list of ingredients? You only need 4 ingredients (5 if you are adding some cheese to this recipe) to make this low carb side dish!

Pearl Onions - You can use a bag of frozen pearl onions and simply thaw them in the fridge overnight. The recipe is for a single bag but feel free to double (the pictures shown are using 2 bags)
Butter - You will need 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to help give these keto creamed pearl onions their nice golden look.
Heavy Cream - Only use heavy cream and not half and half for this recipe
Salt and Pepper
Optional - You can always add a little Parmesan cheese or some blue cheese to make this keto side dish extra creamy and packed with flavour.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Keto Creamed Pearl Onions

This keto side dish only requires a skillet and about 20 minutes to create!

a skillet with thawed peral onions and butter after being browned with a wooden spoon

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the thawed onions and cook until they begin to turn a nice, golden brown (about 10 minutes)

a skillet with browned pearl onions and heavy cream being stirred with a wooden spoon

Add the heavy cream and turn on low. Cook until the sauce has been reduced and thickened. Add cheese if using. Taste and add additional salt and pepper.

an easy keto side dish made up of onions and cream served in a skillet with a wooden spoon

Serve immediately

What do I do if my onions start to stick to the skillet?

You can add a little water to deglaze the pan and keep the onions from sticking. You can also use sherry, or broth instead of the water for some extra flavouring.

Can I add different flavours to this dish?

Yes. During the fall, I will often add a little nutmeg and for Easter, a little sugar-free honey. I know that sounds weird but it is quite delicious!

What type of cheese can I add?

Any flavour of cheese will work well in this recipe. Parmesan and blue cheese are my favourite. If you are adding cheese, add it only at the end, after the sauce has thickened.

Are pearl onions keto-friendly?

They are indeed keto-friendly when consumed in moderation. These small, sweet onions pack a flavorful punch with a relatively low glycemic index. When you add the heavy cream (and possibly cheese), these low carb creamed onions can be enjoyed on a keto diet.

Can I add fresh herbs to this recipe?

Yes! I love adding fresh thyme which works well with the onion flavour. Simply add some sprigs to the onions and then remove any of the remaining twigs before serving.

low carb side dish made up of pearl onions, butter, cream and cheese

Looking for other keto side dish recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favourite dishes to serve with these Keto Creamed Pearl Onions: