How to cook Brussels sprouts

Sprouts have been a traditional staple of Christmas dinners for decades. But that doesn't mean everyone sitting around the table loves them. 

Here we show you how to make your Brussels sprouts so tasty that even sprout haters will be asking for seconds.

Sprouts are a member of the cabbage family, and in season from October to March. They're a hardy vegetable, able to withstand harsh winters and frost. And according to Delia Smith, the frost even 'sharpens the flavour'.

How to prepare Brussels sprouts

When buying Brussels sprouts, look for firm, tightly wrapped, bright green sprouts with un-withered leaves. Smaller sprouts are said to be sweeter and more flavoursome.

Once picked, the ends of sprouts can go slightly yellow, but they shouldn't be black so avoid any that are. If possible, buy sprouts that are still on the stalk to ensure they are fresher.

• If you have bought sprouts on a stalk, simply twist them off. 
• Remove any damaged or discoloured leaves and trim the base – especially where it has gone black/yellow – and wash them.
• Larger sprouts should be cut in half, so all are around the same size. This ensures they cook evenly.

A lot of people put a cross in the base, believing that will help the sprouts cook more evenly. But many say it makes no difference at all, and may actually increase waterlogging when boiling, leading to a soggy sprout.

You could try chopping your sprouts even finer. Shredded sprouts are sautéed rather than boiled, and take minutes to cook.  

Adding bacon chunks and chopped chestnuts can make for a flavoursome side dish.

For speedier shredding, you might find it handy to have a food processor - check our guide to find the best food processors. 

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Air fryer Brussels sprouts

Air frying sprouts is one of the speediest ways to cook them – it should only take about 10 to 15 minutes.

Simply drizzle the sprouts with oil and season them to your liking, then pop the sprouts in your air fryer in a single layer and turn halfway through.

The result should be an exceptionally crispy sprout, so this method may not be for you if you prefer your veg softer.

If you're in the market for a new speedy cooking solution, head to our round-up of the best air fryers

Is it better to roast or boil Brussels sprouts?

There isn't one right way to cook sprouts, though with the added fat and seasoning, roasted sprouts may be your preference.

Some recipes recommend doing both – par-boiling the sprouts in salted water before roasting at a high heat to ensure a soft inside and a crispy exterior.

Roasting and frying sprouts

Whether you're roasting or frying your Brussels sprouts, you'll need to add oil or butter to the pan, depending on the recipe. Frying can take as little as two to as long as 15 minutes, and roasting around 25 to 30 minutes.

When frying, some recipes (such as Delia Smith's recipes below) recommend boiling or steaming the sprouts first so they're partially cooked. This can be for as little as 30 seconds, or up to five minutes, and will reduce the time needed in the frying pan.

Use a skewer to check the sprouts are ready as undercooking them can be just as bad as overcooking. Sprouts should be tender but still a little crunchy.

Whether you're roasting or frying your sprouts, take a look at our built-in oven reviews and find out the best non-stick frying pans and best induction hob pans

Boiling or steaming sprouts

Boiling or steaming is the traditional way to cook sprouts. It doesn't take long – around five to 10 minutes. 

Either way, add a pinch of salt (and pepper if you like) to the pan or steamer and check them partway through to ensure you don't overcook them and make them mushy. 

Some hobs are much speedier to get boiling than others. See our pick of the best hobs

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What do you put on Brussels sprouts?

How you cook your sprouts determines what you can add to them. As we've mentioned, you can either boil, steam, fry or roast Brussels sprouts. Frying and roasting them means they are left a little crisper than boiling. 

It also means you can add other food and flavours to them, such as bacon or chestnuts as we said earlier, or other tasty combinations such as parmesan and chilli.

See below for some Brussels sprouts recipes from Jamie Oliver, Delia Smith and Nigella Lawson.

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Brussels sprouts recipes from top chefs

How long will sprouts last and can they be frozen?

Uncooked and in the fridge in an airtight container, sprouts will be at their optimum for around four days to a week, but might last up to two or three weeks. 

Once cooked, they should still be good after around three days, but this depends on whether you have added other ingredients to them. For example, if you have added pancetta, you'll need to check the packaging for how long you should keep the meat.

You can freeze blanched or cooked sprouts for around 10 to 12 months, but again this depends on what they're cooked with. 

Why do some people hate Brussels sprouts?

There is actually science behind why some people dislike sprouts.

The chemical isothiocyanates, which are naturally broken down in Brussels sprouts when cooked, is believed to make food seem very bitter to some people, while to others it doesn't make any difference. 

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