Easy and Delicious Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe for Fall (2024)

FAQs

Can I grow brussel sprouts in the fall? ›

These slow growing, long-bearing veggies are in the same family as other good-for-you, cool-weather greens like cabbage, broccoli, collards, and kale. Brussel sprouts grow best in the cool temperatures of autumn.

but we do know that salt takes down the bitterness of Brussels sprouts. It's not entirely clear how or why salt counters bitterness, but it does. Make sure you salt Brussels sprouts at the beginning of the cooking process. And then go in with a good pinch of sea salt or kosher salt before serving.

A slow-growing, long-bearing crop, Brussels sprouts should be planted in early spring, or mid- to late summer for a crop that matures in the fall. The small heads mature best in cool and even in light frosty weather. Spring planting is also fine in cooler climates.

If you want your roasted Brussels sprouts to be seriously crispy, you need to crank up the heat. Roasting at a low temperature won't allow them to brown properly, so you want to get that oven nice and hot before tossing in your baking sheet. Follow this tip: Roast Brussels sprouts at a minimum of 400°F.

Plants to Avoid Growing With Brussels Sprouts

Other cabbages, like cauliflower or broccoli, shouldn't be planted near Brussels sprouts as they are in direct competition for many of the same nutrients and resources—and their proximity would make them twice as vulnerable to the same diseases and pests.

Brussels sprouts are a fall crop in Minnesota. Sow seeds in June, indoors or directly in the garden. Water thoroughly once a week for well-formed, large, sweet sprouts. They can stay in the garden as long as temperatures remain above 20°F.

The flavor components that contribute to a bitter flavor are concentrated in the center of the Brussels sprout. If you slice the the veggie in half, it helps to release some of those compounds during the cooking process. Smaller is better when it comes to tenderness and flavor.

Your first step should always be to blanch the brussels sprouts. This is basically when they get submerged in boiling water just for a few minutes, not until they're fully cooked, but just enough to take away some of the bitterness. Blanching also softens them and preserves their beautiful bright green color.

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!

Serve them plain, simply seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper, or dress them up! Drizzle them with a bit of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice and toss them with feta or Parmesan cheese, herbs, red pepper flakes, and nuts or pepitas.

How do you cut brussel sprouts for roasting? ›

Halved: Halved Brussel sprouts are the classic cut for sheet-pan roasting or sautéing. Sliced: Crisp these guys up in the air fryer. They are also great for sautéing and roasting – especially if you start with the larger sprouts and want to cut them into bite-sized pieces.

Place the sprouts cut-side down: Trim and halve the sprouts and roast them with their cut side against the baking sheet. The cut side will caramelize beautifully while the outer leaves crisp. Keep the leaves: Don't discard the outer leaves that fall away as you cut the sprouts.

Roast 'em! Our two rules: place and space! Place them cut side down to create that slightly crunchy exterior and soft interior. Space them out evenly so they don't steam–a crowded sheet pan party is not where your brussels want to be.

Planting and Spacing

Brussels sprouts require a long time to mature. Plants should be planted in early summer (early June to late July) for maturity in the fall. Seeded Brussels sprouts may be planted at the same time. They should be planted so that the sprouts develop when fall temperatures cool.

Starts can be planted July through mid August. Since Brussels sprouts prefer cooler temperatures, choose an area in the garden that may be partially shaded by larger summer crops. Brussels sprouts will grow quite large, so space them 18‐24” apart in rows 24‐40” apart.

For fall harvest, Brussels sprouts are planted in late May through early July. If you are growing Brussels sprouts over the winter in very mild areas, plant the crop in early autumn for a late winter to early spring harvest.

Brussels sprouts can tolerate fairly cold temperatures. Many years I've been able to leave the plants out in the garden well past Thanksgiving and sometimes to Christmas as long as it didn't get too cold. Around 10 degrees is the low limit for Brussels sprouts.