One of the perks of food blogging is all the creative and thoughtful gifts that people bestow once they find out about your blog. I’ve received wonderful things like fresh, home-grown produce, exotic spices, and unique baked goods (you wouldn’t believe how tasty potato chip cookies are!). Despite all these treats, I think my favorite gifts are heirloom recipes. This particular recipe is a holiday tradition that comes from my grandfather on my mom’s side.
My mom told me this dish is one of my grandfather’s absolute favorites and nary a holiday feast goes by that he doesn’t make creamed onions to accompany. According to my grandfather, this is a traditional American farmer dish typically made to go with holiday meals. Sweet onions were always used because this recipe was a good way to use up a lot of them at once, since their shelf life is shorter than regular cooking onions.
- 3 large sweet onions (such as Vidalia), peeled and sliced into ¼ to ½-inch strips
- 8 tablespoons (115 g) salted butter
- 1 pint (2 cups/475 ml) heavy cream
- ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- Add the onions to a lidded 3-quart pot and barely cover them with water.
- Bring to a boil, then turn heat down, cover the pot, and simmer until the onions are soft and translucent but not mushy, about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Drain the onions and put them back into the pot.
- Add the butter, cream, sugar, and salt and cook over low heat until warm throughout.
- Serve in small soup bowls as a first course.
Be sure not to overcook the onions; they’re ready to drain when they’re soft and translucent but not mushy, as pictured in the photo above.
I’m wishing a very Merry Christmas to all! May you and yours have a very happy and safe holiday!
Update (March 13, 2013): I made this dish again and snapped a few pictures, so I decided to update the photos in this post. As a point of comparison to show how much my photography has evolved, I kept one of my original photos (below).
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
Sanjeeta kk says
December 22, 2010 at 8:15 amWhat a lovely recipe for the winter and festive season, Faith. Yes I do love to get gifts from my friends :)
Rich says
December 22, 2010 at 8:35 amFaith, I agree – the heirloom recipes are greatness, and this looks to be no exception; I’d never thought of creamed onions before, but they sound and look fantastic.
Rosa says
December 22, 2010 at 9:24 amYummy!
Merry Christmas!
Cheers,
Rosa
Angie's Recipes says
December 22, 2010 at 9:38 amThis sounds fantastic! And since we are fans of onions, I am going to give the recipe a try!
Merry Christmas!
Angie
FOODESSA says
December 22, 2010 at 10:10 amAs a child, I feared getting onions in my Christmas stocking…and now I would actually welcome them. LOL
A very interesting heirloom delicacy.
Faith…I wish you the merriest of Holidays with your family and friends ;o)
All the best and flavourful wishes,
Claudia
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says
December 22, 2010 at 10:34 amI love the simple list of ingredients in this recipe. Marry Christmas to you and your family Faith!
Cherine says
December 22, 2010 at 10:45 amA tasty soup! I love onion and this should be really good!
Kitchen Butterfly says
December 22, 2010 at 11:27 amThe creamed onions (which I’ve never tried before) look delicious. Have a great holiday season.
Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz says
December 22, 2010 at 11:33 amWhat a soup, for sure for farmers. Like Julia Child would say More butter, More cream. Looks awesome. Merry Christmas to you and all your family. Evelyne xoxox
Emily Z says
December 22, 2010 at 12:47 pmWhat a beautiful looking dish. I have never heard of creamed onions before, but I would love to try them! And I agree with you about the gifts thing… a friend gave me two brand new cookbooks for my birthday this year and that was definitely one of my favorite birthday presents! I too struggle with the lighting in my house as far as pictures… any time of the year. It’s frustrating! Your pictures still look wonderful.
Swathi says
December 22, 2010 at 12:52 pmWhat a wonderful dish Fatih, easy to make but awesome tasty.
Blond Duck says
December 22, 2010 at 1:42 pmMerry Christmas!
Priya says
December 22, 2010 at 2:13 pmYummy tempting creamed onions, Happy Xmas wishes!
Nicole, RD says
December 22, 2010 at 2:21 pmI love onions…this looks wonderful. Heavy cream, butter, and onions…you can’t go wrong :) Merry Christmas, Faith!
zerrin says
December 22, 2010 at 2:47 pmI love onion soup and this one looks so yummy! A pinch of ground black pepper would be perfect on its top!
Carol says
December 22, 2010 at 3:25 pmI love creamed onions, yours look amazing! Potato chip cookies? I bet they’re good, salty-sweet maybe?
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
BeadedTail says
December 22, 2010 at 3:36 pmI’ve never had creamed onions but I love onions so can imagine that it is really delicous and satisfying! Thanks for always providing such unique, fabulous recipes!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Katerina says
December 22, 2010 at 4:03 pmAgain a recipe from you so new to me. i have never made something like this. I will try it for sure.
Ameena says
December 22, 2010 at 4:48 pmI love onions so I’m sure I would love this recipe. What a unique idea!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and Mike as well Faith!
Victoria says
December 22, 2010 at 7:04 pmMerry Christmas, Faith!! Thanks for sharing this family recipe. I love seeing the traditions that different people have for the holidays, they are always so fun and unique :)
Juliana says
December 22, 2010 at 7:22 pmWhat an interesting onion soup, love the it…and it is so nice of you sharing such an special recipe ;-) Merry Christmas to you too Faith!
Elizabeth says
December 22, 2010 at 7:23 pmFaith, thank you for showing off my dad’s recipe! I can’t imagine anyone making it and not loving it. Love, Mom
Biren @ Roti n Rice says
December 22, 2010 at 7:57 pmThanks for sharing this family recipe. Sounds like a great accompaniment to the holiday feast. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours!
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
December 22, 2010 at 9:13 pmI’ve never had creamed onions but they do look delicious! That it’s your grandfather’s recipe makes it even more special. :) I hope you have a very merry Christmas!
Barbara Bakes says
December 22, 2010 at 9:42 pmHow great to have recipes handed down through the generations. How can you go wrong with sweet onions and heavy cream.
A Canadian Foodie says
December 22, 2010 at 11:01 pmIsn’t it amazing how sometimes the simplest of ideas are incredible… like this one as a first course… and a little herb on top, like a fresh sprig of thyme would be pretty on it, too – but your photos are gorgeous. I agree with you about the importance of traditional family recipes, Faith. As a school teacher, some of the students would proudly arrive with a beautifully wrapped gift for the teacher… and some would look very sad when they came into the room empty handed. So, I have had a tradition most of my teaching career that they all HAVE to give me a gift, and that is the one family recipe that is their favourite, or the one that everyone always raves about, or the one their family is “famous” for. I have had such lovely recipes with such incredible stories gifted to me through the years. Some have become part of our own family traditions!!!
Now, enjoy your break… and have a wonderful, splendorous holiday!
)
Valerei
Anna Johnston says
December 22, 2010 at 11:09 pmFabulous Lovely one.., just fabulous. I love a white on white theme… :)
Take care, be happy & have a wonderful Christmas & holiday season.
Cheers
Anna
xx
lequan says
December 22, 2010 at 11:10 pmFaith, that’s so funny about what you said at the beginning of your post. I’ve also noticed that ever since my friends and family found out I have a food blog, they bring over prettier, more unique looking dishes. Lol.
Your grandfather’s recipe sounds wonderful. I love how little ingredients it requires and how easy it is. Definitely a great way to use up your onions. Thanks for sharing. I hope you and Mike have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Veronica says
December 22, 2010 at 11:12 pmI too love these old heirloom recipes!! I’ve never heard of creamed onions but I’d say it sounds like a winner. I hear you on the pictures–it’s so hard to get good ones during the winter, esp when you work until after dark.
Priyanka says
December 22, 2010 at 11:19 pmLooks great!
Ah longer days, won’t be dark when I return home from work!
theUngourmet says
December 23, 2010 at 1:17 amI know what you mean about the winter photos. I’ve never heard of creamed onions but they sure do sound and look tasty! Merry Christmas to you too!
Julie M. says
December 23, 2010 at 8:11 amYour pictures are still look wonderful. I’m struggling with the lack of light as well. This sounds interesting and delicious all in one! I think I’ll be trying this one.
Have a wonderful Christmas holiday!
Diane says
December 23, 2010 at 9:04 amThat looks just so delicious, I want some right now :) Diane
Beth says
December 23, 2010 at 9:05 amMerry Christmas to you, too! Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
Jen says
December 23, 2010 at 9:30 amCreamed onions always grace our holiday table but are made with pearl onions. I love yours made with Vidalia onions. Thank you for sharing your heirloom recipe! Merry Christmas Faith!
Mary says
December 23, 2010 at 10:11 amI love creamed onions and love to serve them at least once during the holiday season. Yours really do look scrumptious. I hope you have a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
Heavenly Housewife says
December 23, 2010 at 10:22 amI feel left out. I’ve never had creamed onions before. They certainly sound wonderful.
*kisses* HH
Joanne says
December 23, 2010 at 11:23 amThat is so incredibly creamy that at first I thought it was a HUGE bowl of butter! Much better that it’s a creamy delicious bowl of creamed onions. heirloom/passed down recipes are the best. They stood the test of time for a good reason after all!
Mia says
December 23, 2010 at 2:03 pmOh Faith , i so agree , nothing like a fantastic recipe and this is a delicious example!
Loveee the onion soup and honestly i wouldn wanna drain them , not wanting to loose on any goodness ,must try this lovely warm soup and babe happy hols with love!
Merry Christmas!!
Lazaro says
December 23, 2010 at 4:14 pmFaith,
What a fabulous onion dish. I love onions and this would really hit the spot. Gorgeous.
Have a fantastic holiday season
Be well
Karen says
December 23, 2010 at 4:59 pmFaith, thanks for sharing this interesting recipe. I think it’s wonderful that you are making a recipe that was passed down from your grandfather. Have a very merry Christmas and all the best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!
coco says
December 23, 2010 at 11:16 pmAnother great dish~ I’d love to make more dishes that my grandma made me when I was a kid.
Happy holidays Faith! :)
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
December 24, 2010 at 5:37 amThis sounds amazing Faith! I’ve heard of creamed onions but never seen them before. I didn’t picture them like though. I’m so curious about them now. I hope you and Mike have a wonderful Christmas! :D
Dana says
December 24, 2010 at 11:55 amMy mother serves creamed spinach at nearly every holiday meal, as it was my grandmother’s favorite. I guess our grandparents were on the same page!
Chef Dennis says
December 24, 2010 at 2:42 pmI love sweet onions!! I have never had creamed onions and oh my they sound delicious!!
Have a very merry Christmas!
Dennis
Joyti says
December 24, 2010 at 4:37 pmI don’t tell my friends about my blog – they dont cook – but it must be lovely to receive blog-related gifts.
The creamed onions sound good – and look very nice and creamy and pale – and I hope you have a lovely holiday.
deana@lostpastremembered says
December 24, 2010 at 6:02 pmFaith, here’s hoping for a wonderful christmas for you and yours… I do miss creamed onions.. haven’t had them in years!!! The photos are so dreamy and gorgeous… who knew onions could ‘clean up’ so well!
Maria @ Scandifoodie says
December 25, 2010 at 4:54 amI could really use those onions for my cold right now! Sounds great!
Monet says
December 25, 2010 at 12:35 pmI adore heirloom recipes too. They always infuse my baking and cooking with love. These creamed onions look and sound delicious. I wish you the Merriest Christmas. Thank you for always infusing my days with such great eats, sweet words and thoughtful comments….I’m thankful for you!
tasteofbeirut says
December 25, 2010 at 1:51 pmThis is a wonderful recipe Faith, one which I have never tried but would love to taste! So special knowing its origin too! (I would also like to keep that onion water)
Happy Holidays to you and your lovely family.
jen cheung says
December 25, 2010 at 2:40 pmPassion4Food here to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. May 2011 bring you lots of happiness and friendship. Have an awesome day with your love ones!!
jen @ http://www.passion4food.ca
Susan: My Food Obsession says
December 25, 2010 at 4:23 pmI agree, Heirloom recipes are truly something special!
Merry Christmas :)
marla {family fresh cooking} says
December 25, 2010 at 6:04 pmMerry Christmas Faith! It is heavenly what things we can give & receive as food bloggers. I have never heard of creamed onions, sounds so interesting! XO
Chaya says
December 26, 2010 at 12:23 amWishing you the happiest of holidays.
I am an onion lover and this is an ideal way of serving onions.
Raina says
December 26, 2010 at 7:56 pmThis is really unique. I have never seen this dish. It does sound delicious. I agree; those recipes passed down are the best, even more special that it is your grandfather’s favorite:)
I hope you had a very merry Christmas!
nancy at good food matters says
December 27, 2010 at 2:09 pmHi Faith–I love the white-on-white look of this dish—the way you’ve sliced the onions elevates the appearance. This is always such a delicious, savory-sweet treat.
Carolyn Jung says
December 27, 2010 at 7:59 pmI was guessing this was a side dish. But a first course? How interesting! I bet it’s just perfect on a cool winter evening, too. Nothing like a bowl of creamy goodness to warm you up from the inside out. Happy holidays! ;)
Megan says
December 5, 2013 at 12:34 pmI make something like this, but with parmesan added and we serve it with steak…yummy goodness! I’ll have to try this!