Brussels sprouts are a favorite on holiday menus, but they deserve a place on the table year-round. The cruciferous vegetables deliver generous servings of flavor, nutrition and culinary versatility.
You deserve to enjoy Brussels sprouts year-round without a trip to the grocery store.
Delicious appetizers, entrees and even healthy smoothies are yours with a simple reach in the freezer. Here's how to make it happen in your kitchen.
Can I Freeze Brussels Sprouts?
Yes, you can freeze Brussels sprouts. However, it's important to always select fresh premium Brussels sprouts. The compact heads should be firm to the touch and tightly wrapped with light green leaves.
Don't worry about the veggies losing their impressive nutritional value. Freezing doesn't affect the vitamins and minerals that make Brussels sprouts a favorite choice for healthy eating.
When done with a little care, freezing doesn't change their flavor or texture either.
How to Freeze Brussels Sprouts: 5 Steps
1. Wash and Trim
Start by giving the Brussels sprout stalks a good rinse over the sink. Shake off excess water, and spread the stalks out on a clean cutting board. Remove each sprout at its stem with a flush cut to the base.
If you're working with pre-trimmed Brussels sprouts, the base still needs to be trimmed.
Inspect the heads, removing any loose or damaged leaves. Rinse sprouts one more time, and then soak in a bowl of cold water for 30 to 45 minutes.
Smart Kitchen Tip: On average, 1 pound of fresh Brussels sprouts yields 1 pint of frozen sprouts.
2. Blanch or Boil
There is a difference between blanching and boiling, but both do a good job of prepping sprouts for the freezer.
Some home chefs prefer blanching because it can preserve vegetable flavor and color. If you plan on freezing a large batch of Brussels sprouts, boiling may be a more convenient choice.
Avoid mushy sprouts by following these cooking time guidelines:
Blanching
Small – 3 minutes
Medium – 4 minutes
Large – 5 minutes
Boiling
Small – 5 minutes
Medium – 8 minutes
Large – 10 minutes
Smart Kitchen Tip: Sprouts are sized by diameter: small, 1 inch; medium, 1.5 inches; and large, 2 inches.
3. Cool and Drain
Immediately immerse the hot Brussels sprouts in a large bowl of ice water. This stops the cooking process and preserves sprout texture. Let the veggies chill for five minutes, and then drain in a colander.
Transfer the wet sprouts to paper towels, rolling them around so that they continue to drain. Repeat until the Brussels sprouts are dry. Let them set out in the fresh air for another 15 to 30 minutes before freezing.
Smart Kitchen Tip: Speed up the drying process by giving the sprouts several rounds in a salad spinner.
4. Flash Freeze
Spread the dry Brussels sprouts on a baking tray, but don't crowd them. Otherwise, their natural moisture can cause them to fuse together as they freeze. Leave the tray uncovered in the freezer for an hour or two.
Smart Kitchen Tip: Keep the sprouts from sticking to the baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
5. Package and Enjoy
Place the frozen Brussels sprouts in lidded, airtight containers, or zip-lock them in plastic storage bags made specifically for freezing. If you use the plastic bags, squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing.
Label and date your packaging before storing in the freezer. Enjoy having a 12-month supply of ready-to-go Brussels sprouts within easy reach.
Smart Kitchen Tip: Increase frozen sprout convenience by bagging and freezing them in meal-sized portions.
How to Thaw Frozen Brussels Sprouts
What's the best method for thawing frozen Brussels sprouts? The answer is simple.
Defrost them in a way that's convenient for you. It's just one more reason sprouts are such a great fit in the freezer. These three techniques work very well.
Transfer frozen Brussels sprouts to a bowl, cover, and let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Submerge bagged sprouts in a bowl of cold water, changing out the water every half hour until thawed.
If you plan on using them right away, you can let Brussels sprouts thaw on the counter for 10 minutes.
How to Cook Frozen Brussels Sprouts: 7 Easy Recipes
There are so many easy ways to cook with frozen Brussels sprouts. You can craft them into irresistible starters or give them a starring role as an entree. Let these seven ideas inspire your culinary creativity.
Inviting Oven-Baked Brussels Sprouts
1. Bacon and Brussels Sprout Casserole
Bacon and Brussels sprouts pair perfectly when baked into a comfort-food casserole
This recipe brings the two culinary partners together with generous portions of grated cheddar cheese and heavy cream. A panko bread crumb topping complements the sprouts' natural crunch.
Tasty Recipe Tip: Upgrade the casserole to full-meal status by adding smoked sausage or shredded barbecue brisket.
2. All-In-One Sheet Pan Dinner
Satisfy hearty appetites with a variety of flavors served in one simple dish. It's easy with this sheet pan dinner featuring chicken, acorn squash and frozen Brussels sprouts.
Chinese five spice, soy sauce and chili flakes give the recipe sweetly warm Asian accents.
Tasty Recipe Tip: Make Chinese five spice from scratch, adjusting the flavors to match your taste.
Deliciously Different Brussels Sprouts
3. Brussels Sprout Brunch Hash
Make your next brunch memorable with a unique take on traditional breakfast hash. Toss thawed Brussels sprouts and cubed sweet potatoes into a baking pan. Add flavor and color with onion and bell pepper.
Roast for 30 minutes, top with cracked eggs, and give the dish another 15 minutes in the oven. Now, you're ready to serve a new brunch classic.
Tasty Recipe Tip: If you'd like to make the casserole ahead of time, store it in the refrigerator. Add the eggs just before reheating in a hot oven for 10 or 15 minutes.
4. Roasted Purple Sprouts
Brighten up the table with the rich colors of roasted purple Brussels sprouts.
Freezing the colorful veggies doesn't affect their rich hues, but it does keep them ready for a 30-minute roast in a hot oven. Easy prep makes this dish a must-have on your list of the best frozen Brussels sprout recipes.
Tasty Recipe Tip: Sided with crostini bites, chilled roasted purple sprouts serve as an irresistible appetizer.
5. Guacamole and Sprout Tacos
Kick tacos up a healthy notch by stuffing them with roasted Brussels sprouts. Line corn tortillas with silky guacamole, fill with sprouts, and garnish with chopped peanuts and cilantro.
These crowd-pleasing tacos are a very tasty addition to vegetarian menus.
Tasty Recipe Tip: Large flour tortillas bring the recipe full circle by wrapping the dish into hand-friendly burritos.
Stove-Top Brussels Sprouts and Pasta
6. Orecchiette, Pancetta and Sprouts
Warm up comfort-food appetites with a pasta entree starring thawed Brussels sprouts and pancetta. Saute the sprouts and pancetta, add orecchiette, and finish with a rich sauce of heavy cream and grated pecorino romano cheese.
Tasty Recipe Tip: Side this Italian favorite with slices of toasted focaccia or ciabatta.
7. Lemony Fusilli and Brussels Sprouts
Shredded Brussels sprouts take on a caramelized flavor when they're pan-seared. Stir them into a batch of tender fusilli, and give the combo a tangy twist with freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Add a touch of fire with red pepper flakes to create a unique pasta dish destined to become a signature entree.
Tasty Recipe Tip: Customize your fusilli recipe with crushed walnuts, baby spinach or Italian sausage.
Serving Up Ideas That Inspire
The next time you shop for Brussels sprouts, think about stocking up. Fresh or frozen, the compact veggies are a premium pick for favorite dishes and inspiration for new recipes.
Here at Hitchcock Farms, we enjoy serving you with ideas that pique culinary curiosity and inspire creative cooking. We're proud to grow and supply the very best sustainable produce from our fields to your table.
FAQs
Why should I freeze Brussels sprouts?
The short time spent prepping and freezing sprouts pays off with surprisingly big returns. Let's count the ways frozen Brussels sprouts benefit busy kitchens.
Extended Shelf Life – Prepared and stored correctly, Brussels sprouts keep in the freezer for up to 12 months.
Preserved Goodness – Freezing preserves the healthy nutrients that make Brussels sprouts a favorite veggie.
Easy Meal Prep – You always have a fresh vegetable within easy reach, already prepped and portioned.
Less Waste – Pre-portioned servings of frozen Brussels sprouts reduce leftovers, and that controls food waste.
Budget-Friendly Meals – Home-frozen sprouts typically cost less than frozen sprouts from the grocery store.
Does freezing affect the nutritional value of Brussels Sprouts?
Freezing Brussels sprouts has very little effect on their nutritional value. It preserves the sprouts so that they retain important macronutrients, including protein and carbohydrates, for up to 12 months.
What are the benefits of freezing Brussels sprouts?
Convenience is one of the best benefits of freezing Brussels sprouts. They're always prepped and ready for a quick meal or a full-course dinner. You can add them to the menu at the last minute too without worrying about portion control.
Do frozen Brussels sprouts get mushy when they're cooked?
As long as you follow a few guidelines, the answer is no. When roasting frozen Brussels sprouts, set the oven to 375 or 400 degrees. Spread the sprouts on the baking pan so that they brown evenly. Large sprouts tend to stay firmer if they're cut in half before cooking.
