How To Prepare Brussel Sprouts For Cooking

This article will show you how to prepare Brussel sprouts for cooking, storing, and freezing. You will also find a list of different cooking methods and recipes to try.

Buying Tips

Fresh Brussel sprouts can be bought either on the stalk or by weight.

Look for bright green heads that are firm when gently squeezed and feel heavy for their size. The leaves should be tightly packed and mostly unblemished.

Sometimes all you can get are slightly older sprouts. These won’t be as bright green as the younger sprouts and can have more blemishes, but if they are still firm and tightly packed, they can still be used.

Avoid getting sprouts that look wrinkled, withered, or shrivelled up, these have no nutritional value at all.

When selecting loose Brussel sprouts pick even sized ones, this will ensure that they will cook at an even rate.

If you have a combination of large and small you will end up with a mix of under and over cooked sprouts because of the size difference.

How To Prepare Brussel Sprouts For Cooking

Whether you are preparing Brussel sprouts for steaming, roasting, freezing, cooking on the grill or some other cooking method the preparation is all the same.

Step 1 – Use a small sharp knife to trim away the discoloured base from the sprouts.

Step 2 – Peel away and discard any discoloured or blemished outer leaves. In older sprouts you may have to peel a few more layers until you get nice looking ones.

Step 3 – If you are going to cook the Brussel sprouts whole cut a cross about 5mm (0.2 inches) into the base of the sprouts.

This will ensure even cooking because, the base is the thickest part of the sprouts and can be undercooked when the leaves are fully cooked.

Step 4 – The sprouts can also be cut in half (or quarters) from top to bottom for quicker cooking.

Preparation Tips

• Remove and discard blemished outer leaves.
• Sometimes you will find sprouts that are a little rotten in the centre, this is due to the age of the sprouts, discard these.
• Depending on the recipe you can leave the Brussel sprouts whole, cut into halve or quarters.
• You can cook Brussel sprouts from raw or they can be blanched which will help speed up the cooking process. Refer to our section titled “How to Freeze Brussel Sprouts” further down the page for blanching instructions.

How To Keep Brussel Sprouts Fresh

The best way to keep Brussel sprouts fresh is to store them in the fridge.

I like to prepare them for cooking in advance, by trimming the stems, removing the outer leaves, and thoroughly wash them.

After draining I will place meal size portions of four servings, which is about 500 grams (1 pound) Brussel sprouts into zip lock bags, then store in the fridge.

Depending on how old the sprouts are they will keep fresh for up to two weeks like this.

When ready to cook you can leave them whole or cut into halves or quarters.

How To Freeze Brussel Sprouts

Prepare the sprouts by trimming the stems, removing blemished and damaged leaves, leave whole and wash.

Blanch – Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Carefully add the sprouts to the water and bring back to the boil and boil for 4 minutes. You might need to work in batches if your pot is small or you have too many sprouts.

Chill – Use a slotted spoon to remove the sprouts from the boiling water, placing them into a large bowl filled with ice and water to stop the cooking process.

Dry – When cool transfer the sprouts to a colander, shake dry, transfer to a tray lined with absorbent paper and pat dry.

Freeze – Once the sprouts are completely dry, place in freezer bags, squeeze out as much air as possible, seal and store in the freezer for up to ten months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Different Ways To Cook Brussel Sprouts

There are many different ways to cook Brussels sprouts. So, if you have only tried boiled, steamed, or microwaved Brussel sprouts and dislike them this way, try one of the other cooking methods below.

You might be pleasantly surprised at how good they can taste when cooked differently.  

How to boil Brussel Sprouts

1. Select even size sprouts, trim the stalks level, remove and discard blemished outer leaves.
2. Cut a cross in the stalk ends for even cooking.
3. Place into a pot of boiling salted water, bring back to the boil then turn down to a simmer.
4. Simmer for 8 – 10 minutes or until the sprouts are tender but still firm.
5. Drain well and serve hot.

How to steam Brussel Sprouts

1. Select even size sprouts, trim the stalks level, remove and discard blemished outer leaves.
2. Cut a cross in the stalk ends for even cooking.
3. Fill the bottom of a steamer with water, then place the sprouts into the steamer basket, cover and bring the water to the boil.
4. Steam Brussel sprouts for 5 minutes or until fork tender.
5. Toss in a little butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

How to microwave Brussel sprouts

1. Select even size sprouts, trim the stalks level, remove and discard blemished outer leaves.
2. Cut a cross in the stalk ends for even cooking.
3. Place the sprouts in a single layer into a microwave oven safe dish.
4. Add about ¼ cup of water to the dish, cover and cook on high for 4-8 eight minutes or until cooked.  
5. Drain off the water, toss in a little butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

How to sautee Brussel sprouts

1. Select even size sprouts, trim the stalks level, remove and discard blemished outer leaves.
2. For quicker cooking cut the sprouts in half.
3. Heat about 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a fry pan and place the halved Brussels sprouts cut side down.
4. Cook covered over a medium heat for about 5-8 minutes or until the cut side turns a golden brown.
5. Turn the sprouts over, cover and cook for 5- 8 minutes more or until the sprouts are fork tender.
6. Toss in a little butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Sautéed Brussels sprout recipes

Now that you know the basics of how to make fried Brussels sprouts here are a few recipes with different flavours to try.

• Pan fried Brussel sprouts with parmesan cheese
• Pan fried Brussel sprouts with bacon
• Pan fried Brussel sprouts with bacon and balsamic vinegar

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F)
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Select even size sprouts, trim the stalks level, remove and discard blemished outer leaves and cut the sprouts in half.
4. Place the sprouts on to the prepared baking tray and drizzle with a little olive oil.
5. Sprinkle over a little lemon juice, season with salt and pepper and toss to coat all the pieces.
6. Roast Brussels sprouts in the oven for about 10 minutes, then flip the sprouts over.
7. Continue to cook for 15 minutes more or until the sprouts turn crispy and golden brown.
8. Serve hot.

Roasted Brussels sprout recipes to try

• Roasted Brussels sprouts with maple syrup
• Roasted Brussel sprouts with lemon juice
• Garlic brown butter roasted Brussels sprouts and carrots

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