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!

Why are my roasted brussel sprouts not crispy?

Why Are My Brussel Sprouts Not Crispy? Spread them out into a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet to avoid overcrowding. If they're too close together, they'll steam instead of roast which stops the crisping process .

Do I need to boil brussel sprouts before roasting?

Yes, you can cook fresh Brussels sprouts without boiling them . You can roast, sauté, grill, or even microwave them for alternative cooking methods that can enhance their flavor and texture.

Why do you soak brussel sprouts before cooking?

It turns out that giving Brussels sprouts a good soak can help them to cook evenly throughout . Not only will the sprouts have a better texture after being soaked, but you won't have to choose between burning the outside and undercooking the inside.

Is it better to parboil brussel sprouts before roasting?

Beyond bitterness, parboiling your sprouts can speed up cooking times, softening the leaves to tender, right down to their core (without turning them to mush) and making it easy for you to focus on perfectly crispy and caramelized sprouts in less time in the oven, sauté pan, or out on the grill.

Do you cut brussel sprouts before baking?

While you can make roasted Brussels sprouts whole or halved, I recommend trimming and halving them for this easy recipe. To trim: Using a knife, trim off the bottom of the tough stem end of each Brussels sprout.

How do I roast brussel sprouts without bitterness?

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

Are roasted brussel sprouts unhealthy?

Brussels sprouts make a healthy addition to any diet and are easy to incorporate into side dishes and entrees. People often enjoy them roasted, boiled, sauteed, or baked.

Should you cut brussel sprouts in half before cooking?

One of the most common ways to cut a Brussels sprout is in half or quarters . By doing so, you reduce the size of the sprouts, speeding up cooking.

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.

Do you wash or cut brussel sprouts first?

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 are my brussel sprouts soggy in the oven?

Not using enough oil . The other secret to ridiculously crispy Brussels sprouts is tossing them in plenty of oil. We like to use olive oil, but plain vegetable oil is great too. If the sprouts are well-coated, they'll caramelize and char instead of simply softening in the oven.

Why are my brussel sprouts still hard after cooking?

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. Without oil, Brussels don't brown and soften—they dehydrate.

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pomegranate Seeds Recipe (2024)

Published: Nov 8, 2016 · Modified: Jan 14, 2022 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Oven roasted brussels sprouts with bacon and pomegranate seeds is perfect as a solo party appetizer or a side dish to any meal. The sweet and savory flavors are complementary and so delicious!

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pomegranate Seeds Recipe (1)

Why This Recipe Works

What is it about Brussels sprouts that makes them so delicious? They are a rather simple little veggie. They have been one of my faves since as far back as I can remember and now I’ve even learned to make Brussels sprouts from frozen in my air fryer! Talk about easy!

I picked up a few pounds of them at the store the other day and thought they would go well with my recent food obsession, the pomegranate. Aren’t they just gorgeous together? The sweet and savory. Bright red intermingled in with the fresh green!

Plus, it’s a healthy and easy recipe to put together. You can enjoy this vegetable as you add it to a plate of your favorite main dish or prepare it to stay on track with a new healthy eating plan you’re working on.

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pomegranate Seeds Recipe (2)

I added bacon to the mix because what doesn’t bacon go well with? And wow. This delicious little treat can act as a salad, side, party food or snack. Or an addition to eggs in the morning!

Recipe Ingredients

Bacon– Buy Whole30-approved bacon if following the Whole30 diet.

Brussels sprouts– Select bright green balls with tightly closed leaves. Fresh brussels sprouts are best in this recipe.

Pomegranate– Use just half of one fruit and just harvest the seeds. Follow the instructions below if you’re new to opening up a fresh pomegranate.

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pomegranate Seeds Recipe (3)

How To Prepare Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pomegranate Seeds

Step 1 – Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and turn up edges.

Step 2 – Place bacon in a single layer on prepared baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove bacon (leave grease) and place on a cutting board. Add Brussels sprouts to pan and toss in grease. Bake for 15 minutes.

Step 3 – Chop bacon and add to Brussels sprouts, along with pomegranate seeds. Toss and spread into a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for an additional 10 minutes and serve immediately!

How To Remove Seeds From A Pomegranate

Do not let the delicious pomegranate intimidate you! It is way easier than it looks to remove its seeds and you will be happy once you do. We’ll show you the best way to get at those tasty pomegranate seeds. No knife or special tools required.

This fruit is great on its own to eat as a snack, add to a salad or spruce up a main dish!

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pomegranate Seeds Recipe (4)

FAQ About Brussels Sprouts

Where does the name for Brussels sprouts come from?

Brussels sprouts came from, you guessed it! Brussels, Belgium from which it received its name.

Are Brussels sprouts just baby cabbages?

Brussels sprouts and cabbages do come from the same family but they are not the same vegetable. They are a wonderful addition to your dinner table because they are low in calories and high in fiber, minerals and antioxidants. They do tend to have a slightly bitter taste so it’s great to use sauces, other foods or fruits to offset that.

Are Brussels sprouts on the keto friendly diet?

More Healthy Vegetable Side Dishes

Kale Salad With Chickpeas Recipe
Instant Pot Steamed Green Beans Recipe
Easy Quinoa Edamame Salad Recipe
Zucchini Parmesan Fritters Recipe

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