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Small, round pearl onions with smooth ivory-white surfaces, faintly tapered ends, and thin, papery pale-gold skins.
●Low GI
★Natural

Pearl onions Calories

Small, mildly sweet and aromatic onions

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

42kcal

GI

10low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

146mg

FIBER · 100 G

1.7g

Quick answer

6 piece (medium) of Pearl onions (60 g) has 25 calories. That works out to 42 calories per 100 g. It contains 5.6 g of carbs, 0.8 g of protein, 0.1 g of fat and 1 g of fiber. Its 4.4 mg of Vitamin C covers 5% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 10 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Pearl onions Nutrition Facts

Selected: 6 piece (medium) · 60 g

25

KCAL / 60G

Carbs

5.6g

· 2% DV

Protein

0.8g

· 2% DV

Fat

0.1g

· 0% DV

Fiber

1g

· 4% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 85% · Protein 12% · Fat 3%

Pearl onions nutrition facts table · 6 piece (medium) (60 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories25 kcal
Total fat0.1 g0%
Saturated fat0.02 g0%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium2.4 mg0%
Total carbohydrate5.6 g2%
Fiber1 g4%
Protein0.8 g2%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 6 Pieces of Pearl onions?

ServingAmountCalories
6 piece (medium)60 g25 kcal
3 piece (small)30 g13 kcal
1 serving (small)50 g21 kcal
½ cup (whole)75 g32 kcal
1 serving (medium)90 g38 kcal
100 g100 g42 kcal
10 piece (large)100 g42 kcal
1 cup (whole)150 g63 kcal

Calculated from 42 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pearl onions

How do you peel pearl onions easily?

Blanch pearl onions briefly in boiling water, then transfer them to cold water. Once the skins loosen, trim the root end and squeeze each onion out of its skin. This is much quicker than peeling them one by one with a knife.

What are pearl onions?

Pearl onions are small, mild, slightly sweet onions, usually served whole. They’re used in dishes such as stews, braises, and pickles, where their small size and intact shape make them especially convenient.

Can you use frozen pearl onions without thawing them?

Yes, add frozen pearl onions straight to soups, stews, and other hot dishes without thawing first. They may soften faster than fresh ones, so add them later in cooking if you want them to keep their shape.

What can you substitute for pearl onions?

Small shallots or small boiling onions are the closest substitutes for pearl onions. If you use a larger onion, cut it into bite-size pieces; it will have a stronger presence in the dish and may cook faster than whole pearl onions.

How do you cook pearl onions?

Cook pearl onions whole by roasting, sautéing, or simmering them in a sauce or braise. Their small size means they soften quickly, so check them as they cook if you want them tender but still intact.

Are pearl onions the same as shallots?

No. Pearl onions are small, round onions, while shallots are a separate type of allium, usually elongated and made up of cloves. Shallots have a more concentrated, garlicky flavor, so they won’t taste exactly like pearl onions in a recipe.

How do you roast pearl onions?

Peel the pearl onions, toss them with a little oil, and roast them in a single layer until tender and browned. Leave enough space between them so they roast rather than steam, and turn them during cooking for even color.

How should you store pearl onions?

Keep unpeeled pearl onions in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight. Refrigerate peeled onions in a covered container and use them soon; trapped moisture can make them spoil faster.

Can you pickle pearl onions?

Yes, pearl onions are often pickled whole. Peel them, pack them into a clean jar, and cover them with a vinegar-based pickling brine. Follow a tested recipe for the brine and storage method rather than guessing the proportions.

Can you eat pearl onions raw?

Yes, pearl onions can be eaten raw after peeling and washing. Their flavor is still onion-like, so slice or halve them for salads, or use them whole when you want a crisp, mildly sweet bite.

Pearl onions Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

Vitamin C

4.44mg · 5% DV

B6

0.07mg · 4% DV

Folate

11.4µg · 3% DV

B1

0.03mg · 3% DV

Minerals

Manganese

0.08mg · 3% DV

Potassium ⭐

88mg · 3% DV

Copper

0.02mg · 2% DV

Phosphorus

17mg · 2% DV

Sodium

2.4mg · 0% DV

Pearl onions Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

10
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

0.6
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Pearl onions

To burn the 25 calories in 6 piece (medium) (60 g):

🚶

6min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

3min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

3min

Cycling

🏊

3min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Pearl onions?

Pearl onions are small, round onions with a mild sweetness and a fragrant, savoury aroma. They are often cooked whole: they hold their shape in stews and braises, soften as they cook, and add a gentle onion flavour without needing to be chopped. They are also commonly pickled and served as a tangy accompaniment or garnish.

In European cooking, they appear in slow-cooked dishes and alongside roasted meats; elsewhere, they work just as well in vegetable stews or on a mixed pickle plate. They are very low in fat, with most of their energy coming from carbohydrates and a little fibre. Roast or braise them with other vegetables for a simple side, or use pickled ones to add a sharp contrast to rich foods.

How Nutritious Is Pearl onions?

Nutrient density

Medium

48/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

46/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Pearl onions Processed?

NOVA 1

Unprocessed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Pearl onions Contain Allergens?

No known major allergens

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Pearl onions Good For?

Vegan

✓ Suitable

Vegetarian

✓ Suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

✓ Suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

— Not suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Pearl onions Fat Profile

SATURATED

0.02g

MONOUNSATURATED

0.01g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.01g

Compare Pearl onions

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🥗

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🥄

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Oven-Roasted Mixed Vegetables

65 kcal

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.