Learn how to peel pearl onions in 4 easy steps and be daunted by this task no more. They are so delicious when freshly peeled and added to all kinds of recipes.
Prepare a medium-sized bowl with ice water and set it aside.
Blanch the onions. Fill a pot about ⅔ the way with water -- you want just enough water to cover the onions, but not so much that it'll overflow when you add them. Bring the water to a boil, add the onions, and let them simmer for 2 minutes, no more.
Drain and shock in ice bath. Drain the onions in a colander, and then add them to the bowl with ice water and let them sit just long enough to cool off a bit, about 2 minutes. Drain the onions again, pour them onto a kitchen towel and gently pat them dry.
Use a paring knife to cut the root off the bottom of each onion.Then gently pinch the top end and the skin should slide right off.