Old Fashioned Vidalia Onion Pie Recipe (2024)

By: Author Julia Jordan

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In this post you’ll learn to make an Old Fashioned Vidalia Onion Pie Recipe.


Have you ever had onion pie?It is so delicious y’all! This old school recipe has been around a while…we’re talking centuries. There are a few variations but this is the simple classic recipe.

An onion pie is basically an onion quiche. It’s creamy in texture and savory. If it is your first time having a bite…you may be surprised at how amazing something consisting of a lot of onion is so darn good.

It doesn’t hurt if you use the famous sweet onion of the South, Vidalia onions, which hail from Georgia. Vidalia onions work perfectly in this recipe and that is why I wait til Vidalia season each year to bake up this cheese and onion pie.

Some of the colonial versions of an onion pie also had apples and potatoes in the pie mix. Today folks may choose to use different types of cheese or what have you.

Lastly, you have the option of using a pie crust or making a crust from saltine cracker crumbs. Both are delicious so you can’t go wrong either way.

Old School Cheese and Onion Pie

Old Fashioned Vidalia Onion Pie Recipe (1)

This recipe has been handed down to me from generations ago. It is so old that one of the ingredients is scalded milk. They used to scald milk for recipes before the days of pasteurization and such to kill any possible bacteria. We don’t have to bother with that step these days.

I do choose to use raw milk for my family but the way the dairy operation works in a sanitary milking facility make that quite safe today. Still, there is no need to scald the milk that I use.

Caramelized Onion Pie

The recipe for an onion pie is really easy but there is one step that takes a little bit of time….sauteing the onions. You don’t have to stand over them or anything the entire time but they do require stirring every few minutes.

The onions will cook for about 40 minutes until they turn golden, or you can choose to cook them longer until they are richer in a caramel color.

What do you need to make an onion pie?Vidalia onions, a pie shell, butter, Swiss cheese, flour, eggs, milk and a few seasonings.

It’s completely optional but since I have fresh chives in my herb garden, they’re a perfect garnish for this recipe. I also like a few dashes of hot sauce on my slice of onion pie. MMM mmm mmm.

I’ll share everything in the printable recipe card further down along with all of the steps, including the optional cracker crumb crust.

Vidalia and Swiss Cheese Pie

Old Fashioned Vidalia Onion Pie Recipe (3)

More recipes that you might enjoy: Breakfast BLT , Ham Egg and Cheese Cups, or Broccoli and Cheese Quiche.

If you happen to have leftovers of this onion pie, they can be covered and stored in the refrigerator up to three days. A cut slice warms nicely in the microwave. The taste and quality aren’t compromised in the least.

Let’s make this Old Fashioned Vidalia Onion Pie Recipe!

Yield: 1 Pie

Delicious old fashioned onion and cheese pie, made with sweet Vidalia onions is perfect for brunch or supper.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time1 hour 20 minutes

Total Time1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 Store Bought Pie Crust (optional cracker crumb crust in note section)

Filling

  • 3 c Vidalia Onion, diced (1.5 to 2 onions)
  • 1/4 c Butter
  • 8 oz Swiss Cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 tbs Flour
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 3 Eggs, beaten well
  • 1 c Whole Milk

Instructions

  1. Saute the onions in butter over medium low heat, stirring constantly until golden brown. This will take 40 to 45 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F
  3. Use a slotted spoon to drain and remove the cooked onions and transfer them into the pie shell.
  4. Line a baking sheet and place the pie pan on the baking sheet to help with transferring in and out of the oven.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine the cheese, flour and seasonings together.
  6. In a measuring cup, whisk the eggs together with the milk then pour it into the cheese mixture and stir to combine.
  7. Pour the egg and cheese mixture into the pie shell. Gently move the onions around so the custard filling mixture is well combined.
  8. Bake for 40 minutes, or until golden brown and set.

Notes

Optional Cracker Crumb Crust

Mix 1 cup of Saltine cracker crumbs (or cracker crumbs of choice) with 1/4 c butter and press into a 9" pie pan.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1 Slice

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 304Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 501mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 11g

Classic Onion Pie

Old Fashioned Vidalia Onion Pie Recipe (5)

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You can also see this recipe shared at Food Friday, Weekend Potluck and Meal Plan Monday.

Old Fashioned Vidalia Onion Pie Recipe

Author of Julia's Simply Southern

Old Fashioned Vidalia Onion Pie Recipe (6)

About Julia

Hey Y'all! I'm Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia's Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Old Fashioned Vidalia Onion Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the closest onion to Vidalia? ›

Vidalia Onion Substitute

If you can't get your hands on Vidalia onions, you can use any type of sweet onion instead. For instance, Walla Walla and Maui are both perfectly acceptable alternatives.

Should Vidalia onions be kept in the refrigerator? ›

DO store onions in the veggie bin in the refrigerator. Wrap each bulb individually in paper towels to help absorb moisture and place them in the crisper with vents closed. Many will keep for months!

What is the difference between Vidalia and sweet onions? ›

Vidalia Onions: Vidalia onions are a specific type of sweet onion grown in the Vidalia region of Georgia, USA. These onions are known for their exceptionally sweet and mild flavor, attributed to the low sulfur content in the soil and unique growing conditions of the Vidalia area.

What onion is the sweetest? ›

Sweet onion varieties include Walla Walla, Maui, Vidalia, as well as others with the word "sweet" in the name.

What is the only state where Vidalia onions are grown? ›

The Vidalias are named after the town they are grown in, Vidalia, Georgia. The sweet flavor is due to the low amount of sulfur in the soil in which the onions are grown. It can be called a Vidalia only if it's grown in one of 20 counties designated by the the Vidalia Onion Act of 1986.

Are Vidalia onions good for you? ›

Because it is not as pungent in flavor, the Vidalia onion is a great nutrient-dense food to incorporate into the diets of both adults and kids alike. Onions are packed with antioxidants! Vitamin C supports the immune system by decreasing inflammation and fighting off free radicals that harm immune function.

Can you freeze whole Vidalia onions? ›

These flavorful sweet onions can be frozen whole

Peel, wash, and core jumbo Vidalias. Once frozen, the Vidalias can be removed like ice cubes. Whole frozen Vidalias can be baked, but note that freezing changes the onion's texture, so frozen onions should be used for cooking only.

Can you store onions in a Ziploc bag? ›

Do not wrap onions in plastic or store in plastic bags. A lack of air circulation will reduce shelf life. Onions should feel firm and dry, be free of gray or black mold, and should not have any visible sprouting.

What is the best container to store onions in? ›

Whole onions should be stored at room temperature in a well-ventilated container, such as a wire basket, perforated plastic sack or open paper bag. Whether you have red onions, Vidalia onions, Spanish onions or even shallots, they're best stored whole.

Can you eat Vidalia onions raw? ›

The Vidalia Onion is certainly unique in all the world. The sugar content of this onion is comparable to that of an apple, or a bottle of cola. It's a mild, succulent onion that is delicious raw on hamburgers, sliced alongside your steak, in a garden salad, or just eaten raw.

Which onion is sweeter, Vidalia or Walla Walla? ›

It's a matter of terroir, he explains. And the Walla Walla soil and growing conditions give that onion a more complex flavor profile "that tells you that this is an onion," he says. The Vidalia may be milder or sweeter, but to Dean, flavor makes the winner.

What is the sweet onion capital of the world? ›

The crop is named for the community of Vidalia, which is located in Toombs County and known as the "Sweet Onion Capital of the World."

What is the healthiest onion to eat? ›

Only found in red or purple onions, anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants and pigments that give these onions their reddish color. Quercetin. An antioxidant flavonoid, quercetin may lower blood pressure and improve heart health ( 19 , 20 ).

Which onion is best for hair growth? ›

Red onion. Yes, Red onion. Red onions have numerous benefits for your hair like growth, hair loss control and lots more. You are probably wondering how an onion – a common kitchen staple – can be used in hair and can in fact, be beneficial.

What is the most delicious onion? ›

Vidalia, Walla Walla, Cipollini varieties are inherently sweet onions. These varieties have become extremely popular and for good reason. They are good cooked but they are very mild and are excellent eaten raw. These varieties of onion have a thinner husk and therefore don't store as well as wintering onions.

Why can't I find Vidalia onions? ›

Vidalia onion season typically runs from the middle of April through early September. You can count on onion availability in early spring; how long they'll be in the stores is totally dependent on each year's crop. With fewer onions harvested, you may have trouble finding them in the stores come August.

Is a Vidalia onion a Bermuda onion? ›

The sweet onions remained a mostly local secret until the 1940s. In that decade, according to the University of Georgia, Earle Jordan planted the yellow granex onion, a hybrid of the Bermuda and Grano onions developed by Henry Jones of Texas A&M. It was this onion that eventually became the famous Vidalia onion.

Are shallots like Vidalia onions? ›

With their milder, more nuanced flavor, shallots can be swapped out equally for onions, but should you need to swap an onion for a shallot, it's best to opt for sweeter, yellow onions like Vidalia. A good substitution rule to follow is three small shallots for every small onion.

What is a good substitute for sweet onions? ›

White onions are a popular substitute for sweet onions due to their mild flavor and crisp texture. While they may lack the distinct sweetness of sweet onions, white onions can still provide a subtle onion flavor without overpowering other ingredients. They are particularly great for dishes that require a milder taste.

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