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 difference between Vidalia and sweet onions? ›

According to Rodrigo Velásquez, produce category manager at Imperfect Foods, "all Vidalias are sweet onions, but not all sweet onions are Vidalias." He says the key difference is in the flavor: "What sets them apart is their sweetness and sulfur levels—[Vidalias] have the highest sugars and lowest sulfur levels of all ...

Which is sweeter Vidalia or Walla Walla? ›

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. Ultimately, it may be availability that dictates which onion you buy.

Can you eat the green tops of Vidalia onions? ›

In fact, the green tops of onions are often used as a flavorful garnish or added to salads, soups, and other dishes for added flavor and nutrition. However, it's important to note that the green parts of onions can sometimes have a bitter taste, so you may want to taste them before adding them to your dish.

What onion is closest to Vidalia? ›

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.

What onion is sweeter than a Vidalia? ›

Some of the world's sweetest onions (like Pittman & Davis's Sweet Georgia Onions) are grown in Georgia. Their sweetness is due to the low amount of sulfur in the soil in which they're grown.

Can you freeze 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.

What is the sweetest onion in the world? ›

Vidalia Onions have developed an international reputation as the “world's sweetest onion.” Their mild flavor is due to the unique combination of soils and climate found in the 20 county production area. Through Federal regulation, the Vidalia Onion growers developed Federal Marketing Order No.

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."

Which state produces the most Vidalia onions? ›

Arguably Georgia's most famous agricultural product, the sweet Vidalia Onion has its roots deep in Tattnall County's soil with more than half the annual crop coming from our county and the nation's largest grower, packer and shipper of sweet onions headquartered in Glennville.

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.

Why can Vidalia Onions only be grown in Georgia? ›

Vidalias are grown from the seed of a short-day yellow granex onion that was actually discovered in Texas. But it's the low sulfur in Georgia's sandy soil that is said to give the onions grown there a distinctive sweetness. The region's climate is also an integral part of the Vidalia onion's success.

Can you grow Vidalia Onions anywhere? ›

Vidalia sweet onion seeds, just before they're planted. These seeds can be planted anywhere, but to grow a Vidalia sweet onion, they must be planted within the 20-county growing region in Southeast Georgia. Vidalia onion seeds are dropped by specialized planting equipment into the prepared soil.

Can you get Vidalia onions all year? ›

Vidalia onions are available for a limited time each year, between April through early September. The pack date is determined by soil and weather conditions during the growing season, which contributes to high-quality Vidalia onions.

Which state is known for onions? ›

As recently as 2021, USDA data showed that California led the states in general when it comes to total onion production, as well as specifically with area cultivated, utilized production, and the value of utilized production, during recent years.

Can you buy Vidalia onions year round? ›

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.

What is the sweetest onion you can buy? ›

Popular sweet onions include Vidalias, Walla Wallas and Mauis. “These well-known varieties have a pale yellow skin.

Why can Vidalia onions only be grown in Georgia? ›

Vidalias are grown from the seed of a short-day yellow granex onion that was actually discovered in Texas. But it's the low sulfur in Georgia's sandy soil that is said to give the onions grown there a distinctive sweetness. The region's climate is also an integral part of the Vidalia onion's success.

What is the best sweet onion? ›

Of all the sweet onions Texas 1015 onions are often considered the best on the market. It took 10 years of extensive research and countless testing done by Dr. Leonard Pike, a horticulture professor at Texas A&M University, Texas, and a million dollars to develop these mild-flavored and sweet tasting 1015 onions.

Which sweet onion is sweetest? ›

Vidalia Onions have developed an international reputation as the “world's sweetest onion.” Their mild flavor is due to the unique combination of soils and climate found in the 20 county production area. Through Federal regulation, the Vidalia Onion growers developed Federal Marketing Order No.

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