Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (2024)

Sides are one of the best parts of Thanksgiving. And if you're planning on having brussels sprouts at the table this year, we have tons of different ways you can prepare them, from salads and slaws to a cheesy bread pudding that can be a main course or side. There's the tried and true brussels and bacon combination, and roasted brussels sprouts with cranberry brown butter, too. Read on for even more Thanksgiving brussels sprouts recipes we love.

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Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli with Cranberry Agrodolce

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (1)

A quick, high-temperature oven roast on a baking sheet yields crispy, golden brown brussels sprouts and almost charred, smoky broccoli. Tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce studded with tart cranberries, Fresno chiles, and shallots, the vegetables become an easy, elegant side dish.

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02of 17

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Onions with Mushroom Lardons

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (2)

A duo of alliums — shallots and pearl onions — becomes irresistibly sweet when roasted, making an ideal partner to slightly bitter brussels sprouts. Bacon, the usual star in recipes like this, is replaced with "lardons" made from king oyster mushrooms for a superstar vegetarian side dish that even meat lovers will enjoy.

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03of 17

Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potato Hand Pies

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (3)

Made with baker Lisa Ludwinski's Sister Pie All-Butter Pie Dough, the golden, crispy pastry encasing these savory hand pies shatters almost like a croissant. Lightly mashed sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, tangy sour cream, and aged cheddar make up the creamy, cheesy filling. It's a simple mixture, but it tastes like a handheld bite of Thanksgiving.

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04of 17

Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Bread Pudding

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (4)

"This Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Bread Pudding is one of the crowd-pleasing mains we consistently serve during the holidays," cookbook author Hetty McKinnon says. "I started making it a few years ago as a hybrid recipe, inspired by the bread puddings we ate for dessert in Australia and the Thanksgiving stuffing that is served here in America."

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Shredded Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (5)

Why are these ridiculously easy brussels sprouts so good? First they're coarsely shredded, which gives them an appealing texture. Then the sprouts are roasted in a hot oven until they're lightly charred, which enhances their nutty sweetness. They're finished with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, which melts into the leaves.

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Brussels Sprouts Baba Ghanoush

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (6)

Michael Solomonov, chef at Zahav in Philadelphia, has served this brilliant riff on baba ghanoush at the restaurant, but it's easy enough to recreate at home. After a whirl in the food processor, brussels sprouts and tahini come together to form a creamy dip. Solomonov serves it topped with more roasted brussels sprouts and hazelnuts, along with warm pita for dipping.

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Brussels Sprouts with Shrimp Sauce

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (7)

Born in a food stall in 2005, Xi'an Famous Foods is now a small empire in New York. Jason Wang, who runs the business with his father, David Shi, shared this family recipe for brussels sprouts with shrimp sauce, in which salty, briny, umami-rich dried shrimp rehydrate in hot chicken broth before cooking down into a savory glaze, yielding a quick, deeply savory side dish. Toasting the garlic and sautéing the brussels sprouts before simmering them in the glaze adds flavor and color while cooking the sprouts to a nutty, tender texture without getting soggy.

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08of 17

Brussels Sprouts and Arugula Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (8)

Instead of roasting brussels sprouts, toss them with arugula, parsley, and a light buttermilk dressing. If you've got a few extra minutes, quick-pickled shallots add color, texture, and tang.

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09of 17

Caesar Brussels Salad

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (9)

This recipe from Julia Sherman, of Salad for President, combines hearty brussels sprouts with a deliciously creamy Caesar dressing. It’s ideal for holiday gatherings because it can be prepared ahead, doesn’t wilt or get soggy, and makes great leftovers.

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Brussels Sprouts with Lemon and Thyme

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (10)

This lemony brussels sprouts recipe from chef Nuno Mendes comes together in just two simple steps.

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11of 17

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (11)

The only thing better than a full plate of caramelized brussels sprouts is a plate of brussels sprouts with pancetta.

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12of 17

Spicy and Garlicky Brussels Sprouts

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (12)

The staff at Myers + Chang restaurant have called these sprouts "green candy" because they get so sweet as they brown in the skillet.

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13of 17

Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts and Bacon

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (13)

You can use vacuum-packed chestnuts for this recipe, or roast fresh ones yourself.

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Sautéed Brussels Sprout Slaw with Sweet Peppers

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (14)

Instead of a green salad, chef Tanya Holland thinly slices these brussels sprouts like cabbage, then cooks them quickly to serve as slaw.

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15of 17

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (15)

These bacon-laden Thanksgiving brussels sprouts from the late chef Anthony Bourdain are easy to throw together. Lemon juice provides a bit of tang to contrast with the salty bacon.

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16of 17

Brussels Sprout Slaw with Ginger Gold Apple

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (16)

Chef Christina McKeough loves to use a tart-sweet Ginger Gold apple in this slaw for its crisp texture.

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17of 17

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberry Brown Butter

Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (17)

"This is where I like to use Thanksgiving cranberries," says chef Dean Fearing, who mixes them into the maple-butter sauce topping his brussels sprouts. He roasts the sprouts to bring out their nutty sweetness. "This dish turns a non-brussels sprouts lover over to the other side," he says.

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Our 17 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Thanksgiving (2024)

FAQs

What meat pairs well 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.

Do you cut the ends off of Brussels sprouts before you cook them? ›

Individual sprouts: Brussels sprouts sold by the pound are what you find most often at the market. They need to be trimmed of their dry ends and yellowed or damaged leaves before halving and cooking.

Why do you soak brussel sprouts before cooking? ›

The soak time tenderizes the sprouts so the middles are softer. Don't worry, they won't be soggy! I would never do that to you. If, like me, you don't mind some chew to your sprouts, you don't need to soak the Brussels sprouts prior to cooking.

What main dish goes with Brussels sprouts? ›

Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Panko

Serve alongside roasted chicken, fish or pork.

What gives brussel sprouts a better taste? ›

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.

What do brussel sprouts do to your body? ›

Eating Brussels sprouts along with other good sources of fiber — like other vegetables, fruits, and whole grains — can help you meet your fiber needs. Brussels sprouts are high in fiber, which can promote regularity, support digestive health, and reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Why put crosses on brussel sprouts? ›

In fact, the tradition of cutting a cross in the base of a sprout might have less to do with culinary technique and more to do with superstition. In Medieval times, it was believed that evil spirits and demons lived between the leaves of the vegetable, and they would enter anyone who ate them, making them ill.

When not to use brussel 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).

How many Brussels sprouts per person? ›

Sprouts on the stalk will stay fresher longer than sprouts that have been picked off and sold loose. Plan on about 1/2 pound (8 ounces) of raw brussels sprouts per person.

Do you wash Brussels sprouts before roasting? ›

How do I prepare brussel sprouts? To prepare brussel sprouts, you should rinse them well or even soak them if you have enough time. Trim the bottoms and outer leaves off, then cut them in half to prep them for roasting.

Do you flip Brussels sprouts in the oven? ›

Toss until the Brussels sprouts are evenly coated, then spread them out in an even layer on the baking sheet. Sprinkle evenly with a few generous pinches of salt and pepper, to taste. Then go around and flip each of the Brussels so that they are cut-side-down.

Why won't my Brussels sprouts get crispy? ›

Roast the Brussels Sprouts at high heat

If you don't hear them crisping up in the oven, add a little more oil and roast them for a few more minutes until your desire crispiness is achieved!

Why soak Brussels sprouts in salt water? ›

For best results, soak your Brussels sprouts in salt water. Not only does salt act to tenderize the dense sprouts, but it will also help to season them all the way through. It won't take a lot -- just add 1 tablespoon of salt per 1 quart of water and toss in trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts.

What should I eat with sprouts? ›

Adding sprouts to an avocado spread on your bread of choice packs in tons of extra flavor and texture. You can keep it simple with a sprinkle of salt or make it fancy with a poached egg, tomatoes, or goat cheese and bacon.

Do brussel sprouts cleanse the liver? ›

Brussel Sprouts

They stimulate detox enzymes found in the liver and may also be protective to cells. This enzyme action helps remove toxins from the blood and support the liver. Brussels sprouts also contain antioxidants that prevent cell damage.

Is it better to eat Brussels sprouts raw or cooked? ›

Brussels sprouts are a nutritious vegetable in the cruciferous family. While they're often enjoyed cooked using methods like roasting, steaming, or boiling, you can also enjoy Brussels sprouts raw. The most common side effect of eating raw Brussels sprouts is that they may cause gas in some people.

Do brussel sprouts like bone meal? ›

Mix compost or dried manure and bone meal into the soil around the seedlings. Once sprouts begin to form around the stem, pinch off the growing tip of the plant. This will encourage the sprouts to swell. Brussels sprouts are extremely frost tolerant and will grow virtually anywhere.

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