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Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Recipes, Toasts, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian
March 5, 2022

Pastrami-style Pearl Onions

5 from 1 review

Pastrami-style pearl onions is probably not a phrase you hear every day. But when I’m craving pastrami, it’s exactly what comes out of my recipe testing. This pearl onion recipe utilizes two of my favorite things: roasted onions (yum) and a killer spice blend.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 13 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American, Jewish
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Pastrami-style pearl onions is probably not a phrase you hear every day. But when I’m craving pastrami, it’s exactly what comes out of my recipe testing.

This pearl onion recipe utilizes two of my favorite things: roasted onions (yum) and a killer spice blend. And what could get better than a charred, spicy, smokey pastrami mix? Honestly, not much.

Pastrami is usually sweetened with molasses, but in this recipe I let the sweetness of the pearl onions do all the work. The pairing comes out perfect, and then you have little tiny flavor bombs that you can add to salads, toasts, PASTAS, basically anything your heart desires.

Table of contents

  • What is in the pastrami spice blend?
  • How to make a pastrami spice blend
  • How to make the pastrami style peal onions
  • Looking for other toast recipes?

What is in the pastrami spice blend?

The ingredients for the blend are simple – but so delicious. Here is everything you need:

  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp caraway seeds
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp salt plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp olive oil

How to make a pastrami spice blend

You do need to do a quick toast of the spices, but after that, this is a pretty standard make-and-mix process. Here’s the breakdown:

  • To a small skillet, add the coriander, caraway and black peppercorns and toast until fragrant. About 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  • Put the seeds in a grinder or use a mortar and pestle to grind them up.
  • Combine this spice blend with paprika, salt and olive oil. Mix well.

How to make the pastrami style peal onions

But the spice blend is only a PART of the recipe. Here’s how to make the entire thing from start to finish:

  • Place the pearl onions in a skillet or sauce pot. Add the olive oil and bring to medium heat. Cook until the onions are sizzling and golden, about 4 minutes. Then flip and cook until the other sides are golden.
  • Remove from the pan and set them on paper towels to drain any excess oil.
  • Drain the pan of excess oil, and then add the coriander, caraway and black peppercorns and toast until fragrant. About 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  • Put the seeds in a grinder or use a mortar and pestle to grind them up.
  • Combine this spice blend with the paprika, salt and olive oil.
  • Toss the onions in the spice mixture until they are well coated.
  • Preheat an oven to 350F and put the onions on a baking sheet.
  • Bake for about 9-10 minutes or until the outside of the onions are crisp, and the insides are soft.
  • Remove from the oven and serve! I like to serve mine on a bagel with cream cheese, capers and dill, or with ricotta and sourdough. But it’s up to you!

Looking for other toast recipes?

Here are a few vegetarian options you might love:

Avocado Pesto Spread

Think of this spread as pesto, but with a little something extra. We add avocado and spinach in place of the pecorino and pine nuts, and you get this rich and herby spread you can put on just about anything.

Honey Burrata Toast with Lemon & Thyme

This honey burrata toast with lemon is simple but satisfying. It's rich and flavor but minimal with ingredients, one of my all-time favorites.
Check out this recipe

Pistachio Butter

Pistachio butter is like a smoother, slightly saltier cousin to almond butter. So easy to make, so delicious and so creamy. It's a versatile butter but I love it best just with the classics – honey, salt and toast.
Check out this recipe

And that’s it for this pastrami spice blend recipe!

If you make it, please tag me on Pinterest or Instagram so I can see! It’s my favorite thing to scroll through stories and see what you all are making.

And of course feel free to leave any questions, comments or reviews! This is the best place to reach me, and I’d love to hear from you <3

Pastrami-style Peal Onions

5 from 1 review
These onions are buttery, sweet, twice-cooked and coated in a spicy, crispy pastrami blend. If you're craving classic pastrami flavors in a plant-based way, this might be your next best bet.
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 13 minutes mins
Servings: 2 servings
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb red pearl onions, peeled
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp caraway seeds
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp olive oil

Instructions 

  1. Place the pearl onions in a skillet or sauce pot. Add the olive oil and bring to medium heat. Cook until the onions are sizzling and golden, about 4 minutes. Then flip and cook until the other sides are golden.
  2. Remove from the pan and set them on paper towels to drain any excess oil.
  3. Drain the pan of excess oil, and then add the coriander, caraway and black peppercorns and toast until fragrant. About 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  4. Put the seeds in a grinder or use a mortar and pestle to grind them up.
  5. Combine this spice blend with the paprika, salt and olive oil.
  6. Toss the onions in the spice mixture until they are well coated.
  7. Preheat an oven to 350F and put the onions on a baking sheet.
  8. Bake for about 9-10 minutes or until the outside of the onions are crisp, and the insides are soft.
  9. Remove from the oven and serve! I like to serve mine on a bagel with cream cheese, capers and dill, or with ricotta and sourdough. But it's up to you!

Hey! I’m Justine

A recipe developer, highly dedicated eater, and bread enthusiast with an archive of both savory and sweet.

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Comments

  1. נערות ליווי Avatar
    נערות ליווי
    3/18/2022
    Reply

    5 stars
    This is the right website for anyone who wants to understand this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want toÖHaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a subject that has been discussed for many years. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful! This is the right website for anyone who wants to understand this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want toÖHaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a subject that has been discussed for many years. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful! נערות ליווי בקיסריה

    Reply

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Hey! I’m Justine

A recipe developer, highly dedicated eater, and bread enthusiast with an archive of both savory and sweet.

  • Facebook
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  • TikTok
  • Pinterest
  • X
More About Me

Trending Recipes

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    Strawberry and Raspberry Scones

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  • Beans + Grains + Bowls
    Spiced Carrot Soup

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    Tiramisu Affogato

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