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Home » Sides » Braised Chestnuts and Pearl Onions

Braised Chestnuts and Pearl Onions

Nov 12, 2021 · by Valentina · 32 Comments

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Braised Chestnuts and Pearl Onions combine beautifully to create a Thanksgiving chestnut side dish that will totally wow your guests! And it's also fantastic any time mixed into pasta, to serve over bread, and to make a tart with. Braised Chestnuts and Pearl Onions on white plate with fresh thyme leaves

Let's throw something new on the Thanksgiving menu.

Full of deep, rich flavors, this pearl onion chestnut side dish is unexpected, seasonal, beautiful and so delicious!

raw chestnuts and red pearl onons on cutting board

Serving Ideas

Of course it's not just for Thanksgiving. You can serve this any time!

  • Mix it into pasta.
  • Serve it over rice or on a lovely slice of crusty bread.
  • Make a tart with it (with puff pastry it would be excellent).

red pearl onons and chestnuts in dutch oven with fresh thyme

Can you make is ahead?

Yes! You can make this up to three days ahead of time and warm it on the stove before serving.

peeled red pearl onions on cutting board with knife*Learn how to peel pearl onions here.*

Recipe Tips and Substitutions

  • Peeling chestnuts and pearl onions can be daunting if you haven't done it before. You can learn how to peel pearl onions here and peel (and roast) chestnuts here. Both are much easier than you might think.
  • I love using chestnuts I've roasted, but you can also use steamed chestnuts, which are commonly sold in the fall and winter months. Follow the same instructions for adding them to the recipe.
  • Peeled pearl onions are often available in the freezer section of most markets. If you're very pressed for time, that's an option.
  • You'll likely see red, white and yellow/golden pearl onions in stores. Use whichever ones you like. I think the red really makes this a beautiful dish.
  • You should easily find pearl onions in November and December, but if for some reason you can't get them, use shallots, cut into quarters.

several chestnuts on baking sheet with shells split open*Learn how to roast and peel chestnuts here.*

I hope you and your guests love this amazing chestnut side dish as much as my family and I do!

You can find more Thanksgiving recipes here.

close up of braised red pearl onons and chestnuts with fresh time leaves on top

More recipes with chestnuts and/or pearl onions:

  • Chestnut Butter
  • Potato Chestnut Soup
  • Chestnut Cookies with Chocolate Chips
  • French Onion Mushroom Casserole
Braised chestnuts and red pearl onions on white plate with fresh thyme

Braised Chestnuts and Pearl Onions

Valentina K. Wein
Braised Chestnuts and Pearl Onions combine beautifully to create a Thanksgiving chestnut side dish that will totally wow your guests! And it's also fantastic mixed into pasta, to serve over bread, and to make a tart with.
*Please see notes below.
5 from 8 votes
Print
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Side Dish
Cuisine French
Servings 6
Calories 297 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 pound roasted and peeled chestnuts (click here for how to roast and peel chestnuts)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, if necessary (see recipe instruction no. 2)
  • 1 pound red pearl onions, peeled
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • ¾ cup vegetable stock
  • ½ cup red wine
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup roasted pecans, roughly chopped
  • ¾ teaspoon granulated sugar
  • salt, pepper and sugar to taste

Instructions
 

  • Brown the chestnuts. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter to a large pot fitted with a lid (a Dutch oven is perfect). Over medium heat, melt the butter to coat the bottom of the pot. Over medium-high heat, add the roasted, peeled chestnuts and sauté them until they are golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the onions. Add the peeled pearl onions and stir to combine. If the bottom of the pan is dry, add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté for another 5 minutes or so, until the onions are slightly tender and golden brown.
  • Add thyme and liquids and simmer. Add the thyme, stock, and red wine and bring to a boil. Then turn the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Reduce the liquid. Remove the lid, and turn the heat to medium-low. Cook to reduce the liquid until all but about 3 tablespoons remain, about 20 minutes. (Gently stir the mixture from time to time during the cooking process. Cooking times may vary.)
  • Add remaining ingredients. Stir in the balsamic vinegar, pecans, sugar, and the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve!

NOTES

Please note that the prep time listed above does not include peeling the onions (about 20 minutes), or roasting and peeling the chestnuts (about 40 minutes). Both can be done ahead of time: the onions up to 2 days before and then wrapped well and refrigerated, and the chestnuts 1 day ahead, also wrapped well and refrigerated.
For detailed, step by step instructions and photographs of how to roast and peel chestnuts, click here.
For detailed, step by step instructions and photographs of how to peel pearl onions, click here.
Calorie count is only an estimate.

NUTRITION

Calories: 297kcal
Keywords great for Thanksgiving, chestnut recipes
Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

Cooking On The Weekends is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.


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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Claire

    November 05, 2018 at 4:32 pm

    5 stars
    Just beautiful, I didn't worry about saving them for thanksgiving we had it last night with some pork chops 😀

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 07, 2018 at 10:35 am

      Ooooh sounds so delicious! Thank you.

      Reply
  2. Alene

    November 01, 2019 at 12:14 pm

    Can these be made in advance? I used to serve a mixed pearl onion and dried cherry compote which I adored. My husband got tired of it and wasn't as much of a fan of it as I was. This sort of sounds like it and might be a nice change of pace for him. My onion dish could be made in advance. Do you think this one can be too? When you're cooking for 10 or 12, in advance is a great thing! Thank you!

    Reply
  3. valentina

    November 01, 2019 at 4:10 pm

    Hi Alene, Thanks for writing in. Yes, you can make this ahead of time. You can make it up to three days ahead. Warm it on the stove before serving. You could probably make it even sooner, but I usually stick with three or less. I just added this info to the post, too.Thank you for asking! Enjoy, and I hope your husband loves it. 🙂 ~Valentina

    Reply
  4. angiesrecipes

    November 12, 2021 at 8:05 pm

    Love chestnuts! Haven't tried the combination with pearl onions yet...thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 14, 2021 at 10:19 am

      Thanks, Angie. Enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  5. Jeff the Chef @ Make It Like a Man!

    November 13, 2021 at 8:28 am

    What an interesting dish! And completely new to me. What a fantastic winter dish.

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 14, 2021 at 10:19 am

      Thanks, Jeff. Hope you try it. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  6. Liz

    November 14, 2021 at 6:14 am

    I adore sauteed onions and adding a second (and festive!) ingredient like chestnuts makes for a tasty holiday side dish!

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 14, 2021 at 10:18 am

      Thanks, Liz! I love that chestnuts are "festive!" 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  7. Kelly | Foodtasia

    November 14, 2021 at 6:43 pm

    Such a wonderful side dish that would go with everything on the holiday table!

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 19, 2021 at 7:16 pm

      Hi Kelly! Thanks so much. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  8. Eha Carr

    November 15, 2021 at 2:22 pm

    5 stars
    Well, no chestnuts available thus side of the ocean bit I do like the way the onions are prepared and pecans are freely available . . . as are other possible ones in the family . . . a somewhat different side which will be tried . . .

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 19, 2021 at 7:22 pm

      Hi Eha. Without chestnuts, you can use whole pecans. Just a thought. Enjoy and thanks as always for visiting. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  9. Chef Mimi

    November 15, 2021 at 4:17 pm

    Wonderful! It’s almost like a condiment!

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 19, 2021 at 7:23 pm

      Yes! I agree. Thank you, Mimi. ~Valentina

      Reply
  10. Christina

    November 15, 2021 at 6:21 pm

    5 stars
    This really is a wonderfully unique side dish! I can totally see it used in a tart, too! Fabulous!

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 19, 2021 at 7:23 pm

      It's going in a tart shell next time I make it. Thanks, Christina. ~Valentina

      Reply
  11. Gerlinde @ Sunnycovechef

    November 15, 2021 at 7:58 pm

    I love chestnuts and I am always looking for new recipes. This looks like a great one.

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 19, 2021 at 7:24 pm

      Thanks, Gerlinde. Hope you give it a try. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  12. Marissa

    November 16, 2021 at 10:58 am

    5 stars
    I'd never eaten a chestnut before I started dating my husband and had dinner with his family at Christmas (they put them in the stuffing). I love them! And I love how they share the spotlight with pearl onions in this beautiful dish.

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 19, 2021 at 7:26 pm

      Thanks, Marissa. I adding chestnuts to the stuffing this year -- it'll be my first time adding them, as I'm always reluctant to change up our traditional family dishes. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  13. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

    November 17, 2021 at 6:16 am

    5 stars
    Can you believe I've never had chestnuts before! I can't wait to give them a try in this dish. Perfect for Thanksgiving!!!

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 19, 2021 at 7:27 pm

      What!? Kathy, you could do amazing things with them, and I'm sure you'd find a way to fill jars with them to have on hand throughout the year, too. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  14. Ron

    November 17, 2021 at 7:16 am

    5 stars
    Hi Valentina, what a great side dish idea for the holidays. I love chestnuts, but alas we can't do nuts in our house. Any ideas on a non-nut substitute for this recipe?

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 19, 2021 at 7:28 pm

      Hi Ron. I would use whole pecans instead of roughly chopped. And/or peewee potatoes. That might be fun. Enjoy and I hope you and your family are well. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  15. John / Kitchen Riffs

    November 17, 2021 at 8:05 am

    This looks superb! VERY creative. Neat, neat recipe -- thanks.

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 19, 2021 at 7:29 pm

      Why thank you, John! Enjoy. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  16. Ben | Havocinthekitchen

    November 17, 2021 at 6:20 pm

    5 stars
    Huge fan of chestnuts here, and I love pairing chestnuts with onions. That's why this is right up my alley 🙂

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 19, 2021 at 7:30 pm

      Hope you love it, Ben! Thanks so much for checking it out. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  17. David

    November 20, 2021 at 3:18 pm

    What a fabulously brilliant recipe! I can only imagine the intense, dark chestnut with the herbal pearl onions. This might not happen on my Thanksgiving table, but it will get to the table soon!

    Reply
    • valentina

      November 21, 2021 at 9:15 am

      Happy Thanksgiving, David! Hope you enjoy whenever you try it. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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