The Best Brussel Sprout Recipe Ever!

Brussels sprouts resemble miniature cabbages and come from the same family of cruciferous vegetables. They are tiny vegetables that are packed with a powerful punch of nutrients and have the potential to deliver a number of health benefits. When using Brussel sprouts in cooking, the best Brussel sprouts recipes will yield all the health perks along with an interesting crunch. Like other cruciferous vegetables, Brussel sprouts have also been studied extensively to deliver health benefits such as detoxifying the body and providing both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

As a result of these benefits, Brussel sprouts can support heart health, digestive health and regulate cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Despite their many health benefits, Brussel sprouts probably have one of the worst reputations of any vegetable. Definitely, all kids and almost all adults abhor the thought of having to eat Brussel sprouts. However, if sprouts are prepared using some of the best Brussel sprouts recipes available, they can be prepared into appetizing options that can suit different taste buds. So what’s the best brussel sprout recipe?

Best Brussel Sprout Recipe, a frying pan full of brussel sprouts.

Most of the bad repute associated with Brussel sprouts often comes from overcooking them or preparing them by methods that leave them mushy and gross. So no matter how you decide to do it, the primary rule for cooking Brussel sprouts is to not overcook them. When done correctly, the best Brussel sprouts recipes will yield a nutty texture and crunch to the sprouts that can be perfectly complemented by using sweeter ingredients to mask its somewhat natural bitterness.

To find the finest way to include Brussel sprouts in your diet take a look at some of the best Brussel sprouts recipes given below:

Brussel Sprout Recipe with Bacon

This recipe uses pan-roasted Brussel sprouts to complement the flavor of bacon and other ingredients.

  • 6 slices bacon, chopped ½ cup sliced shallots 1 ½ lb. Brussel sprouts halved
  • 6 cloves garlic, sliced ¾ cup chicken broth salt, and pepper to taste.  

Add chopped bacon to a skillet over medium heat and sauté for five minutes. Remove bacon from pan and add Brussel sprouts and shallots. Sauté for four minutes and add garlic. Continue sautéing until the garlic starts to turn brown.  Return bacon to the pan and cook for another minute or so. Add chicken broth and bring to boil. Cook on high heat until most of the broth evaporates leaving the sprouts tender-crisp. Serve hot.

Remember that some of the easiest and best Brussel sprouts recipes are quick to assemble and deliver results that are bursting with the intense flavor of Brussel sprouts.

Brussel Sprout Recipe with Balsamic Vinegar

In this recipe, Brussel sprouts are roasted at a high temperature in the oven until they turn crisp and golden brown. To balance the naturally bitter taste of the sprouts they are then tossed with a dash of balsamic vinegar and honey.

  • 1 ½ lb. Brussel sprouts halved 3 tbsp. olive oil salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar 1 tsp honey
  • Preheat oven to 425.

Toss halved Brussel sprouts in a bowl with 2 tbsp. olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Transfer sprouts to a lined baking tray and bake for about 20 minutes until they are evenly browned and slightly caramelized. 

Place Brussel sprouts back in a bowl and coat with remaining olive oil, vinegar, and honey.

This is easily one of the best Brussel sprouts recipes to enjoy and nothing else could be simpler.

Brussel Sprout Recipe with Bacon a brown pan cooking brussel sprouts and bacon.

Sautéed Brussel Sprout Recipe

Other than placing them in the oven, Brussel sprouts can also be prepared by sautéing. In fact, some of the best Brussel sprouts recipes feature this cooking technique. Sautéing involves cooking the sprouts quickly in a little bit of hot fat on the stovetop.

All that is needed for this recipe is two pints of Brussel sprouts, salt and pepper to taste, lemon juice, and oil for sautéing.

In a medium skillet pour ¼ cup of olive oil. Add Brussel sprouts and season to taste. Sauté stirring quickly until caramelized. This can take between 8-10 minutes. Add in 1/3 cup water and continue cooking until the liquid evaporates. Squirt with lemon juice and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

When prepared this way, using one of the best Brussel sprouts recipes the result is nutty and sweet sprouts that are served best immediately after cooking.

Indian Recipe for Brussel Sprouts

To give a spicy twist to Brussel sprouts try making them with this recipe using authentic Indian ingredients.

  • 1 lb. Brussel sprouts 1 onion, thinly sliced 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp, cooking oil 1 tsp. mustard seeds ½ cup chickpea flour
  • ½ cayenne pepper ¼ tsp turmeric ½ tsp cumin seeds, crushed
  • Salt to taste

Heat oil in a medium skillet. Add mustard seeds and when they splutter, add sliced onion and minced garlic. Sprinkle some salt and cook until onions are translucent. This should take about 3-4 minutes.

Add in Brussel sprouts to the skillet mixture and turn heat to low. Cover skillet with a lid and let sprouts cook on gentle heat. Keep stirring every few minutes to ensure even cooking until almost al dente and lightly browned.

In a separate bowl mix chickpea flour with about ½ cup of water and remaining spices including cayenne, turmeric, powdered cumin, and salt.

Brussel Sprout Recipe with Balsamic Vinegar cooked brussel sprouts with balsamic vinegar.

Pour this mixture onto the Brussel sprouts and let cook. As the chickpea paste starts to thicken, start scraping the skillet as you would when cooking scrambled eggs. Continue cooking for another 7-10 minutes until the chickpea paste is cooked through. Check to season and adjust if needed.  Serve warm. So, best brussel sprout recipe?

One of the best Brussel sprouts recipes for preparing them Indian style, you get sprouts that are slightly spiced and bursting with the flavor of exotic spices.

Brussel sprouts are at their best over the winter months and should be bought fresh. One indicator is to look for plump, bright green heads which are still attached to the long central stalk. When purchased with the stalk attached, the sprouts will keep fresher for longer and yield better-tasting recipes.

Image Rights

Images used via creative commons 2.0 – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Image One by Elisa Self – https://www.flickr.com/photos/elisaself/7391541608/

Image Two by Gail – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gail_thepinkpeppercorn/5147677598/

Image Three by SharonaGott – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gottshar/6920401260/

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