Roasted Brussels Sprouts - Easy Recipe for the Best Brussels Sprouts (2024)

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Learn how to make the very Best Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe with just five simple ingredients including olive oil, fresh garlic, salt, and pepper. Tender on the inside and perfectly golden and caramelized around the edges, this easy recipe is my absolute favorite way to enjoy Brussels sprouts.

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The BEST Brussels Sprouts

Did you know that Brussels Sprouts are one of the most disliked vegetables in the US? Despite my own love/hate relationship with this vegetable, I found this surprising. I mean, what about fennel? Fennel tastes like black licorice! And then there are beets. Personally, I love beets. But, I guess people really dislike beets, too.

Since I’ve already argued (heavily) for beets in past posts, today I’m here to fight for Brussels sprouts.

I admit- it took me a while to jump on the Brussels train, but now that I’m it, I’m here to stay.

With a hard, tough exterior, raw Brussels sprouts look like mini cabbages. Delicious shredded and mixed into salads or baked with potatoes and covered with cheese, there are loads of ways to enjoy this cruciferous vegetable.

This recipe, however, is my favorite. Garlicky and bursting with flavor, these little bites are guaranteed to convert the even the pickiest of eaters.

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What are Brussels Sprouts?

Aside from having a rocky relationship with these cute little mini “cabbages” in the beginning, I admit that I had no idea what they really are.

So, what are Brussels Sprouts?

  • How did Brussels Sprouts get their name?They were actually first cultivated in Belgium in the 13th century. Since Brussels is the capital of Belgium, that’s where it got its name. It will also (maybe) help you remember that the correct spelling of this tasty little vegetable is Brussels sprouts, not Brussel sprout.
  • Are theyreally mini cabbages? No. Not exactly. They look like baby cabbages because they’re part of the same family. With cabbages, we eat the part the grows from the ground (like lettuce). Brussels sprouts, however, are little round buds that grow along the length of a thick stalk.
  • They are part of the same group as broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, kale, and kohlrabi.

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Ingredients in Roasted Brussels Sprouts

You don’t need a lot of ingredients. Yay! In fact, the difference between delicious Roasted brussels sprouts and bitter, hard ones, is getting them tender in the middle, yet golden and caramelized on the edges.

To make this Roasted Brussels sprout recipe, you’ll need,

  • Brussels sprouts – This one should be fairly obvious. Fresh will yield far better results than frozen. However, frozen can be used in a pinch.
  • Olive oil – Whenever I roast vegetables, I typically use olive oil that actually tastes good. With so few ingredients, it’s important to use ones that you actually think taste good. Sometimes, I’ll drizzle melted butter over the top after roasting for extra buttery flavor.
  • Garlic – finely minced fresh garlic adds TONS of flavor.
  • Salt + Pepper – salt and pepper, aside from the garlic, is the only seasoning you really need. Add more or less to taste.

Can you roast frozen Brussels Sprouts?

Yes. However…frozen Brussels sprouts are a bit more delicate and tend to turn bitter and mushy when they’re not prepared correctly.

When it comes to frozen Brussels sprouts, your best bet is to sauté or roast them from frozen. Great news for us today since this is a recipe for roasted. To make this easy recipe, simply follow the instructions above or those in the recipe card below. You may need to add additional time or set the oven to broil at the end of baking to brown the top and edges.

Take note, however, that fresh Brussels sprouts will yield far better results (in taste and texture) when compared to frozen.

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How to Roast Brussels Sprouts

To make the VERY BEST roasted Brussel sprouts, simply-

  1. Preheat oven. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Set aside.

  2. Prepare. First, cut off the brown tip (but only the very tips!) of each Brussels sprout and remove any yellow or brownish-colored leaves. Next, cut them in half. For especially large Brussels sprouts, slice into quarters lengthwise.

  3. Mix. Transfer the trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss well to combine and transfer to the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.

  4. Bake. Transfer baking sheet(s) to the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until they are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with additional salt and pepper, if desired.

  5. Serve. Serve immediately with all your favorite main courses or enjoy as a healthy snack. Enjoy!

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Are Brussels Sprouts good for you?

Yes! These little cruciferous vegetables are jam-packed with nutrients and come with several health benefits.

In a half-cup (78 grams) of cooked Brussels Sprouts, you’ll get,

  • Calories:28
  • Protein:2 grams
  • Carbs:6 grams
  • Fiber:2 grams
  • Vitamin K:137% of the RDI
  • Vitamin C:81% of the RDI
  • Vitamin A:12% of the RDI
  • Folate:12% of the RDI

Brussels sprouts are low in calories and high in fiber, making them a healthy choice for anyone looking for a diet-friendly side dish. Additionally, when compared to other green vegetables they are particularly high in protein.

Also packed with loads of vitamin K which is necessary for blood clotting and preventing bone loss. Meanwhile, the high levels of vitamin C promote iron absorption and help in tissue repair and immune function.

It is believed that since Brussels sprouts contain high amounts of chlorophyll, it is beneficial to consume them when eating charred meats since charred food generates heterocyclic amines which are known to cause cancer.

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Tips + Tricks

  • The key to delicious Brussels sprouts is getting a tender interior, yet golden and caramelized edges.
  • To achieve this, do not overcrowd your baking sheet. Each halved or quartered Brussel sprout should a little space around it and not be touching each other. This gives you sweetly caramelized edges, rather than bitter, mushy sprouts.
  • It may take between 30-40 minutes to reach that sweet spot. Don’t rush it. The wait is worth it.
  • Youneed to slice them in half, or for especially large Brussels sprouts, in quarters. This allows for more surface area to caramelize the outside of the sprouts.

How to store and reheat leftovers

Leftover roasted Brussels sprouts will keep for approximately 3-4 days.

However, as you may know already, leftovers have a tendency to turn stinky and stinky food is never appealing. So, although your leftovers will still be fully edible, they are best eaten right out of the oven.

Reheating leftovers can also be tricky since they are quick to turn mushy and gross.

Your best bet is to sauté them in a skillet or reheat in the oven. They’re also fantastic mixed with other leftovers such as mashed potatoes or scrambled in eggs.

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What to serve with Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Fortunately, you can serve these little guys with just about anything.

A few of my favorite ways to dish them up are withGarlic Butter Steak Bites,Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin, or juicyBaked Chicken Breasts. In other words, any kind of protein (including fish!) taste really great with these Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

You can also serve them tossed in spaghetti noodles with bacon and a little olive oil for an easy pasta dinner. Serve them at the holidays withSlow Cooker Ham,Spinach and Pear Salad, andGarlic Roasted Potatoes.

Or, enjoy them right out of the oven for a healthy and delicious snack!

For more side dish recipes, check out:

If you try the BEST Roasted Brussels Sprout Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know!I always love to hear your thoughts.

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RECIPE CARD

Roasted Brussels Sprouts - Easy Recipe for the Best Brussels Sprouts (9)

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe

4.86 from 7 votes

AuthorAuthor: Roasted Brussels Sprouts - Easy Recipe for the Best Brussels Sprouts (10)Jessica Randhawa

Tender on the inside and perfectly golden and caramelized around the edges, learn how to make the very Best Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe with just five simple ingredients including olive oil, fresh garlic, salt, and pepper.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings (as a side)

Calories 93 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Set aside.

  • Prepare the Brussels sprouts. Cut off the brown ends of each Brussel sprout and remove any yellow or brownish-colored leaves. Cut in half. For especially large Brussels sprouts, slice into quarters.

  • Mix the Brussels sprouts. Transfer the trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss well to combine and transfer to the prepared baking sheet in a single layer (note 1).

  • Bake. Transfer baking sheet(s) to the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until they are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with additional salt and pepper, if desired.

  • Serve. Serve immediately with all your favorite main courses or enjoy as a healthy snack. Enjoy!

Jessica's Notes

  1. If needed, use two baking sheets to prevent overcrowding of the Brussels sprouts. In order to get slightly crispy, yet tender, Brussels sprouts, it's best if they have a bit of space between them when baking.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 93kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 416mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 855IU | Vitamin C: 97mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Did You Make This Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @theforkedspoon or tag #theforkedspoon and please leave your star rating in the comment section below.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts - Easy Recipe for the Best Brussels Sprouts (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to boil brussel sprouts before roasting? ›

Your first step should always be to blanch the brussels sprouts. This is basically when they get submerged in boiling water just for a few minutes, not until they're fully cooked, but just enough to take away some of the bitterness. Blanching also softens them and preserves their beautiful bright green color.

How can I improve the taste of Brussels sprouts? ›

but we do know that salt takes down the bitterness of Brussels sprouts. It's not entirely clear how or why salt counters bitterness, but it does. Make sure you salt Brussels sprouts at the beginning of the cooking process. And then go in with a good pinch of sea salt or kosher salt before serving.

Should brussel sprouts be dry before roasting? ›

There's nothing wrong with soft and chewy Brussels, but if your goal is the type of crispy Brussels that they're serving at your favorite bistro you MUST thoroughly dry the surface of the sprouts before sautéing and/or roasting them. If they are wet they will steam instead of crisp. Surface area is your friend!

Is it better to cut brussel sprouts before roasting? ›

Place the sprouts cut-side down: Trim and halve the sprouts and roast them with their cut side against the baking sheet. The cut side will caramelize beautifully while the outer leaves crisp. Keep the leaves: Don't discard the outer leaves that fall away as you cut the sprouts.

How do I roast brussel sprouts without bitterness? ›

The best way to cook brussels sprouts is this:
  1. Trim off the stem ends.
  2. If they are large, slice in half.
  3. Dress with olive oil, salt, pepper, and andy spices you like.
  4. Roast in the oven or grill until slightly charred but not overcooked.
Jul 13, 2020

Why won't my brussel sprouts get crispy? ›

Roast the Brussels Sprouts at high heat

If you don't hear them crisping up in the oven, add a little more oil and roast them for a few more minutes until your desire crispiness is achieved!

Do you need to blanch brussel sprouts before roasting? ›

Blanching is optional, but it allows you to roast at a higher temperature to crisp up the edges. I blanched my Brussels sprouts for just a few minutes before shocking them with cold water. Toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper until well coated. The key, actually, is to add quite a bit of salt.

Should you cut brussel sprouts in half before roasting? ›

To maximize the flat areas, which get the most crispy surface area, cut your Brussels sprouts in half. If your Brussels sprouts are very small, you can leave them whole (and if they are very large, quarter them).

Why are my roasted brussel sprouts bitter? ›

The flavor components that contribute to a bitter flavor are concentrated in the center of the brussels sprout. If you slice the the veggie in half, it helps to release some of those compounds during the cooking process. Smaller is better when it comes to tenderness and flavor.

Why are my roasted brussel sprouts mushy? ›

They are one of my favorite veggies in the whole wide world! When overcooked, Brussels sprouts turn mushy and release excess sulphur (the thing that makes cabbage and Brussels sprouts smell like cabbage and Brussels sprouts)—not good eats.

Why do you soak brussel sprouts before cooking? ›

The soak time tenderizes the sprouts so the middles are softer. Don't worry, they won't be soggy! I would never do that to you. If, like me, you don't mind some chew to your sprouts, you don't need to soak the Brussels sprouts prior to cooking.

Why are my roasted brussel sprouts tough? ›

Like soggy steamed Brussels, Brussels sprouts that are dry and chewy are no good either. This could be caused by using too little oil for roasting. You need a nice coating of oil—enough to make the heads shiny or if they're cut, enough oil to get inside the folds of some of the leaves.

Do I need to wash brussel sprouts before cooking? ›

Rinse under cold running water to remove any dust or dirt. Use a small knife to remove the sprout tip, and then remove any leaves that have bad spots. Raw: Slice thinly and toss with other shredded vegetables like cabbage, carrots, or beets.

Why not to boil brussel sprouts? ›

Steaming and boiling use moist heat, and moist heat can make Brussel Sprouts mushy and stinky—not a good combo. Give them the treatment they deserve by roasting them instead.

Do we need to boil sprouts? ›

Boiling them renders them easier to digest, making the nutrient-rich sprouts more tolerable for sensitive digestive systems. Additionally, the boiling process significantly reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses associated with raw sprouts, ensuring safer consumption.

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