Purple Brussels Sprouts: A Complete Guide [2024]

Purple Brussels sprouts stand out as one of the best-looking members of the Brassicaceae family. 

These delicious vegetables sport dark purple leaves veined with green and tipped with crimson. 

Whether you’re a chef or a dedicated foodie, it’s easy to appreciate these colorful veggies. 

Let’s dig deeper and uncover the secrets behind their tasty appeal.

What Are Purple Brussels Sprouts?

Brussels sprouts originated in the 16th century. They were named after Brussels, the capital of Belgium, and were popular all across Europe. 

French settlers brought them to our shores during the 1700s. Food historians credit Dutch plant geneticist, C.N. Vreeken, with developing purple Brussels sprouts in the early 1940s by crossing green sprouts with red cabbage.

Purple vs. Green Brussels Sprouts: How Are They Different?

If you’ve never tried them, you might ask, “Do purple Brussels sprouts taste different?”

The answer is yes. 

Purple sprouts are a little sweeter and less pungent than green sprouts, with an earthy and slightly nutty flavor.

If you’ve never prepared them, you might ask, “Do they need different cooking techniques?” 

The answer is yes and no. 

Purple Brussels sprout heads aren’t packed as tightly as green sprouts, so they cook faster. 

Otherwise, both varieties can easily be prepared with the same methods.

How Do Their Nutrition and Health Benefits Compare?

Green and purple sprouts share a similar nutrient profile. Both provide healthy servings of vitamins A, B6, C and K. 

Each variety is an excellent source of folate and fiber. However, the darker pigmentation in a purple sprout results in more anthocyanins, delivering additional antioxidants.

When comparing Aggregate Nutrient Density (ANDI) scores, both green and purple Brussels sprouts are considered among the top 20 most nutritious foods. 

When Are Purple Brussels Sprouts in Season?

Traditionally, Brussels sprouts were considered a cool-weather vegetable with a season running from September through March. 

Home gardeners still plant purple Brussels sprout seeds four months before the first frost. 

Fortunately, California’s mild climate and fertile soil allows produce companies to grow Brussels sprouts year-round.

That’s good news for kitchens all across the country. Foodservice professionals source the colorful sprouts through produce distributors regardless of the calendar date. 

Depending on their location, most home chefs can usually find purple Brussels sprouts at their local grocery store or farmers market.

How Do I Cook Purple Brussels Sprouts?

You can steam them or stir-fry them. Oven-roasted purple Brussels sprout recipes are popular because they bring out the veggie’s naturally sweet taste. 

Whether you braise, boil or sauté them, purple sprouts retain their delicious flavor and beautiful colors.

This is a vegetable that easily inspires home and professional chefs. From fresh salads to savory sides, it’s easy to bring out the best in purple Brussels sprouts.

• Add color, texture and taste to hearty vegetable soups.
• Bake in a creamy, white cheddar cheese casserole.
• Finish pan-fried sprouts with balsamic vinegar and Parmesan.
• Put crunch in coleslaw with shredded purple Brussels sprouts.

11 Deliciously Easy Recipes for Purple Brussels Sprouts

1. Purple Brussels Sprout and Pancetta Salad

Bring out the best in raw and roasted sprouts by tossing them together in one special salad recipe. It's a perfect pairing of crisp textures and earthy flavors.

Thin slices of pancetta add a slightly salty accent balanced by a champagne vinegar and maple syrup dressing.

2. Cabbage, Cranberry and Brussels Sprout Salad

When a salad serves as a palette of colors, it's destined to become a dinner party centerpiece.

The flavors and shades of green cabbage, crimson cranberries and purple Brussels sprouts blend into a beautiful dish that's sure to impress guests. Top the crunchy salad with a maple syrup, lemon juice and Dijon dressing.

3. Classic Roasted Purple Brussels Sprouts

This recipe serves up nutritious purple Brussels sprouts as a classic side dish. The compact veggies are easy to quarter, and that cuts down on prep time. Give the sprouts a quick toss in olive oil with a dash of kosher salt and pepper, and they're ready for the oven.

The small, tasty bites roast to perfection in just half an hour. They work well as a healthy vegetarian entree too.

4. Extra Easy Purple Brussels Sprout Salad

Quick prep and unique flavors make purple Brussels sprout salad a favorite with busy home chefs and foodservice professionals. 

It's an irresistible recipe that combines the nutty taste of sprouts with chopped pecans and fresh oranges. 

Simply drizzle sliced Brussels sprouts with a whisk of olive oil, fresh-squeezed orange juice and garlic. You're done!

5. Za'atar Roasted Purple Brussels Sprouts

Among the wonderful Middle Eastern spices we all love, za'atar is a standout. It's also a delicious way to elevate the flavor of oven-roasted purple Brussels sprouts. 

Make the seasoning a staple in your pantry by making your own. Toss the sprouts with olive oil, lemon pepper and your homemade za'atar, and fill the kitchen with the heavenly aroma of herb-roasted Brussels sprouts.

6. Delicata Squash, Beets and Sprout Medley

When a healthy recipe satisfies more than one dietary preference, it earns a special place on the menu. 

This vegetable medley is that kind of dish. The purple sprout, beet and squash combo creates a creamy side for omnivore entrees. It's also a bountiful main course for vegetarians and flexitarians. 

7. Asian Sheet Pan Chicken and Brussels Sprouts

Streamline dinner prep with an all-in-one Asian sheet pan bake. Bone-in chicken thighs star in this main dish, sided with purple Brussels sprouts, sliced acorn squash and quartered shallots.

Season with soy sauce, Chinese five-spice and chili flakes, and let a 400-degree oven do the rest.

8. Purple Brussels Sprouts With Grapes and Balsamic

Purple Brussels sprouts are versatile vegetables with an amazing range of possibilities. Imagine pairing them with seedless red grapes. Now, add the soft sweetness of steamed chestnuts. 

Oven-roast the creative combination, garnish with fresh parsley, and savor a new way to enjoy Brussels sprouts.

9. Parmesan-Roasted Purple Brussels Sprouts

This easy recipe for purple Brussels sprouts goes especially well with favorite Italian entrees.

Splash the sprouts with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, and give the veggies a 20-minute oven roast. Finish with a generous toss of diced bacon and plenty of freshly grated parmesan. 

10. Very Healthy Brussels Sprout Tacos

When a taco is delicious and nutritious, it's sure to inspire plates passed around the table for seconds and thirds. These veggie tacos are sure to make that kind of memorable impression.

Just wrap corn tortillas around sauteed purple Brussels sprouts and avocado slices. Drizzle with a homemade tomatillo salsa, side with lime wedges, and enjoy as an appetizer or casual dinner. 

11. Honey-Roasted Purple Brussels Sprouts

Some salads are best served warm. This recipe for purple Brussels sprouts roasted in honey is an irresistible example. It combines the natural sweetness of both with the crunchy textures of pepitas and sunflower seeds.

A blend of paprika, cumin and cinnamon rounds out the flavor profile in the fragrant salad. A simple dressing of balsamic vinegar and olive oil pulls it all together.

What Pairs Best With Colorful Sprouts?

Restaurant guests appreciate the perfect pairing of a great wine and entree. Families at home enjoy complementary flavors of favorite veggies and main dishes. 

Purple Brussels sprout recipes easily bring that kind of culinary harmony to the table. These are just a few ways to pair Brussels sprouts with choice ingredients.

• Oven-roast fresh sprouts with pancetta or smoked bacon.
• Side game meats with purple Brussels sprouts.
• Toss with apples and pecans, and drizzle with maple syrup.
• Give sweet sprouts tang with cider vinegar or mustard.
• Spice up purple sprouts with sage, garlic or Cajun seasonings.
• Dress them up with hollandaise, honey mustard or Sriracha aioli.

How Do I Buy And Store Purple Brussels Sprouts?

At the grocery store or farmers market, choose sprouts with firm heads and tightly wrapped leaves. You shouldn’t see any wilting or discoloration.

It’s best to store them in the refrigerator where they’ll stay fresh for one to two weeks.

If you’re running a commercial kitchen, rely on trusted distributors to deliver the freshest produce year-round, including our fresh purple Brussels sprouts.

Regardless of a Brussels sprout’s color, it’s a vegetable that always pays off with solid shelf life and very little waste. That's a tasty bonus for every restaurant’s bottom line.

Available Year Round

Enjoy them for their wonderful flavor. Stay inspired by their versatility. Keep them on your list of favorite veggies packed with nutritional goodness. 

Purple Brussels sprouts deserve to be a regular part of your menu planning.