20 Recipes to Convince You Brussels Sprouts Are Actually Delicious (2025)

We’re so glad we outgrew our childhood hatred of Brussels sprouts. No one has to nag us to eat them now — in fact, we’re kind of obsessed. This trendy veggie seems to go well with everything and adds some new appeal to classic recipes. It’s also packed with nutritional benefits. Delicious and nutritious? No wonder we just can’t get enough! Join the Brussels sprout party and try out one of our 20 favorite recipes below.

1. Purple Brussels Sprout Salad With Pecans + Orange Garlic Dressing: You know we can’t get enough of that purple color pop. It doesn’t hurt that this beauty is packed with flavors — nutty pecans, vibrant citrus and a sharp hit of garlic. If you’re serving this at your next soiree, you could glam this salad up by color blocking the purple and green sprouts. (via Fake Food Free)

2. Chili-Spiced Sweet Potato Hash Browns With Roasted Veggies: A savory veggie fix for brunch? We’re sold. This dish combines spicy and sweet with a hearty topping of our favorite roasted veggie. (via Veggie and the Beast Feast)

3. Brussels Sprouts + Cheddar Quiche: Broccoli cheddar is delish, but why not try a new veggie cheese combo for your quiche? Brussels sprouts make this simple quiche extra special. (via The Chic Life)

4. Green Power Salad With Roasted Veggies: Walnuts, chickpeas and Brussels sprouts, oh my! A few of our favorite ingredients join forces in this nutritious, flavor-packed salad. It’s the perfect hearty vegetarian meal. (via Lemons and Basil)

6. Brussels, Bacon + Leek Fritters: Bacon meet Brussels in this killer recipe. Fry these two up in the form of fritters and it’s a match made in food heaven. (via Bell’alimento)

7. Brussels Sprout + Apple Coleslaw: Skip the same old coleslaw and give this unique raw slaw a try. We love the unexpected apples, which add a pop of sweetness and crunch. (via Lorimer Street Kitchen)

8. Cacio e Pepe With Brussels Sprouts: Who says Brussels sprouts can’t be decadent? Classic comfort food gets a gorgeous green upgrade when you add thinly sliced sprouts. (via What’s Gaby Cooking)

9. Potato and Brussels Sprout Salad: Swap out traditional potato salad with this light twist on a picnic classic! Brussels sprouts add an extra pop of flavor and texture. (via Highgate Hill Kitchen)

10. Tahini + Sprout Pie: This rustic savory pie is chock full of delicious super foods. Get your daily dose of ultra nutritious Brussels sprouts and tahini, served up on a decadent slab of pie crust. (via Chase That I Love)

11. Brussels Sprout Pesto: Skip the basil and try a whole new take on pesto! Brussels sprouts give traditional pesto a unique flavor while maintaining that beloved texture and color. This spread is perfect for crostinis or a gorgeous bowl of pasta. (via Multiculti Kitchen)

12. Pomegranate Lime Brussels Sprouts: Bright pomegranate seeds meet tart lime and fresh Brussels, delivering a color and flavor packed salad sure to lift you out of your salad rut. (via PDX Food Love)

13. Brussels Sprouts Pita Pizzas: How awesome is this stylish, grown-up take on the mini pizza?! Simple pita bread becomes the backbone for an elegant veggie-topped treat. (via Kitchen Treaty)

14. Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Sriracha Honey Drizzle: Roasted Brussels sprouts offer luxurious layers of crunch. They’re even more addictive when they’re dressed up with unexpected flavors, like this spicy sweet Sriracha honey drizzle. (via Dash of East)

15. Brussels Sprout Au Gratin with Horseradish + Parmesan Cheese: Feel a little more virtuous about a warm bowl of creamy, melted cheese by substituting the traditional potato with brussels sprouts. A little green makes that parmesan and cream taste even better. (via Natalie’s Daily Crave)

16. Roasted Brussels Sprout Chips With Balsamic: Meet your new movie night go-to snack. Popcorn and potato chips? Delish, but so last season. Get all the snacky, salty crunch you need with roasted Brussels sprout chips. (via Inspired Edibles)

17. Cheesy Brussels Sprout Dip: Everything is better with lots and lots of cheese, right? Right. (via Baked In)

18. Brussels Sprouts Roasted on the Stalk With Maple Butter Dijon Glaze: Have you ever seen Brussels sprouts still attached to the stalk? They’re gorgeous! We love the rustic feel of this roasted Brussels sprouts presentation. A maple syrup and dijon mustard laced butter glaze adds some flavorful flair. (via The Right Recipe)

19. Warm Bacon Brussels Sprout Salad: This recipe combines all of our favorites in one bowl — Brussels sprouts, warm bacon,and parmesan cheese. Yum! (via Table)

20. Seared Sea Scallops With Golden Raisin Puree + Bacon Braised Brussels Sprouts: We could always go for some seared sea scallops with all the trimmings, including Brussels sprouts braised in bacon. It’s the perfect recipe for the next time you want to wow your guests, or, you know, make yourself an awesome meal and binge watch TV. (via In Sock Monkey Slippers)

What’s your favorite Brussels sprout recipe? Leave us a comment and let us know how you’re cooking up your sprouts!

Claire Moshenberg

Claire is a freelance writer on the hunt for great recipes, DIYs, and cheese. She writes about her baking adventures and travels at A Sound That Quakes.

20 Recipes to Convince You Brussels Sprouts Are Actually Delicious (2025)

FAQs

What gives brussel sprouts a better taste? ›

Cooking the sprouts in high heat, cuts bitterness by caramelizing them, creating crispness, and a sweet, nutty flavor. The crisp outside contrasts well with the tenderness of the inside.

Did they genetically modify brussel sprouts to taste better? ›

About 30 years ago, a Dutch scientist identified the chemicals that made brussels sprouts bitter. He selected seed varieties with lower levels of the bitter chemicals and bred new high-yielding varieties that tasted less bitter.

Is it OK to eat Brussels sprouts everyday? ›

Is it OK to eat Brussels sprouts everyday? Go for it. “If you enjoy sprouts and can tolerate them, absolutely! They're lower in calories and contain a myriad of important nutrients” says Snyder.

What flavors compliment Brussels sprouts? ›

10 Ingredients to Pair with Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • Mustard. The tang of a good mustard is a great match for earthy Brussels sprouts. ...
  • Fish Sauce. ...
  • Smoked Paprika. ...
  • Pomegranate Molasses. ...
  • Apples. ...
  • Worcestershire Sauce. ...
  • Miso Paste. ...
  • Bacon.
Jun 8, 2019

Why do you soak brussel sprouts? ›

Not only can soaking make the centers more malleable, but the water that's absorbed into them will create a steaming action, whether you choose to roast, saute, or make your Brussels sprouts in your air fryer. The steam can help to ensure the cooking is even throughout the Brussels sprout.

Why do I feel so good after eating brussel sprouts? ›

Rich in antioxidants

Brussels sprouts are high in antioxidants, compounds that promote overall health and help prevent damage to cells ( 5 , 6). Eating Brussels sprouts as part of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help supply the antioxidants your body needs to promote good health.

Why are Brussels sprouts not bitter anymore? ›

Over the last twenty years, farmers have mellowed the "unpleasant" flavor of brussels sprouts by breeding a vegetable that contains fewer bitter compounds or glucosinolates. So, brussels sprouts just taste better than they used to when we were kids. The rub is that glucosinolates help protect sprouts against pests.

How to cook Brussels sprouts so they're not bitter? ›

Blanch your Brussels

Many recipes will suggest blanching your veg for several minutes, but keep in mind longer blanching times can make your vegetables mushy. Leafy greens should be blanched for no more than 30 seconds, and Brussels sprouts should only go in the hot water for a minute or two.

What is the bitter chemical in brussel sprouts? ›

The bitter taste of Brussels sprouts comes from compounds called glucosinolates and their degradation products, he explains. These bitter tasting compounds are an important part of the plant's defence mechanism against leaf-eating enemies, such as insects, nematodes, slugs, and herbivores, like pigeons and deer.

What organ is brussel sprouts good for? ›

Eating a lot of Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous veggies may help protect against cancers of the stomach, lungs, kidney, breast, bladder, and prostate. Crunchy veggies like Brussels sprouts may also help you stave off other health issues, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes.

When should you not eat Brussels sprouts? ›

If any of the leaves have brown spots or are yellowing, it's a sign of early spoilage. If you remove the blemished leaves and the interior looks OK, you can still use the sprout. However, if the interior leaves are also showing blemishes or yellowing, it's best to toss it (or compost it, if you can).

What is the number 1 healthiest food in the world? ›

1. Leafy Greens (Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard) Leafy greens are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are rich in vitamin K, which supports bone health, and vitamin C, which boosts the immune system.

What meat goes best with Brussels sprouts? ›

When we think about which meats go with Brussels sprouts, bacon usually comes to mind first. Upgrade that to prosciutto, add poultry and fish to the list, and leave room on the menu for steak.

What is a good companion for brussel sprouts? ›

Garlic and other alliums like leeks, shallots, and onions also enhance the sweetness of mature Brussels sprouts.

Who made brussel sprouts taste better? ›

A Dutch scientist named Hans van Doorn, who worked at a seed and chemical company, figured out exactly which chemical compounds in Brussels sprouts made them bitter. The next step was to plant sprouts with the least amount of these chemicals and eventually cross-pollinate the chemicals out.

What takes the bitterness out of Brussels sprouts? ›

A splash of lemon juice, or even apple cider vinegar, works wonders on bitter sprouts. Another key ingredient is fat, which helps Brussels sprouts to crisp up. This is why it's so popular to render bacon fat and cook Brussels sprouts in it, then add the bacon bits back in at the end.

Why do brussel sprouts taste bad sometimes? ›

Because PTC is prevalent in Brussels sprouts, these so-called "Supertasters" perceive them as intensely bitter. This is all connected to a taste-related gene called TAS2R38, which has a variant called AVI and one called PAV.

How do you cover up the taste of brussel sprouts? ›

Other Ways to Flavor Brussels Sprouts

After the sprouts are roasted and caramelized, drizzle honey (or hot honey), soy or balsamic glaze, or go sweet and savory with sweet chili or maple syrup. Sub in other cheeses while you're at it, like Gruyère, feta, or blue, depending on your mood.

How to cook brussel sprouts so they don t hurt your stomach? ›

Exactly, score the tops of the Brussels Sprouts about a 1/4 inch steam them in a steamer basket with Italian Seasonings and Garlic and Olive Oil \ butter. The seasoning and Garlic will help the gut bacteria and it taste great. The Olive Oil or Butter will coat them so they bacteria will not make as much farts.

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