Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Garlic Recipe (2024)

By Mark Bittman

Updated Nov. 13, 2023

Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Garlic Recipe (1)

Total Time
35 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Rating
5(11,503)
Notes
Read community notes

This recipe for roasted brussels sprouts from Mark Bittman is our most popular version and is perfect as a Thanksgiving side dish. If you haven’t yet figured out a go-to recipe, this simple preparation is the answer. It results in sweet caramelized brussels sprouts that will make a believer out of anyone. Discover more ideas for the big day in our best Thanksgiving recipes collection.

Featured in: THE MINIMALIST; Ever So Humble, Cast Iron Outshines The Fancy Pans

Learn: How to Cook Brussels Sprouts

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 1pint brussels sprouts (about a pound)
  • 4 to 6tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, to coat bottom of pan
  • 5cloves garlic, peeled
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

208 calories; 17 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 12 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 12 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 4 grams protein; 322 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Garlic Recipe (2)

Preparation

Make the recipe with us

  1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Trim bottom of brussels sprouts, and slice each in half top to bottom. Heat oil in cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until it shimmers; put sprouts cut side down in one layer in pan. Put in garlic, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

  2. Step

    2

    Cook, undisturbed, until sprouts begin to brown on bottom, and transfer to oven. Roast, shaking pan every 5 minutes, until sprouts are quite brown and tender, about 10 to 20 minutes.

  3. Step

    3

    Taste, and add more salt and pepper if necessary. Stir in balsamic vinegar, and serve hot or warm.

Ratings

5

out of 5

11,503

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Peggy

Can I make this today to serve tomorrow at Thanksgiving? Oven gets too full at zero hour...

Susan

I think I use Ina Garten's recipe. Much easier and less oil. Just halve the brussel sprouts and toss them in a tablespoon and a half of olive oil and roast at 450 degrees.

Margaux Laskey, Staff Editor

Since reading all of the comments here, we've taken another look at the recipe and adjusted it. 10-20 minutes @ 400 degrees with a few shakes of the pan in between. I hope this change yields better results for all of you!

ChadBad

“Cook, undisturbed, until sprouts begin to brown on bottom...” okay, Schrödinger's cat instructions.

Brent

I chop my garlic (but use less) and add dried cranberries & walnuts at the end. People go crazy.

Karen Backus

I have made this recipe twice. The first time, I followed the directions and it was burned to a crisp after 20 minutes. The second time, I doubled the garlic, slivered it, and cooked the brussels sprouts for 10 minutes in the oven after sauteeing as directed. They were perfect.

Mary

Can I make this the day before Thanksgiving? How do I warm on Thanksgiving?

John

Cover the pan with large heavy duty foil for the first 10 minutes so the sprouts steam and soften a bit. Then remove the foil for the last 20 minutes.

Add chopped pancetta or bacon with the brussels sprouts when you toss them with olive oil - it add a wonderful flavor. And mince the garlic instead of whole cloves, but add the garlic in the last five minutes since minced will burn if roasted for the entire time. (The recipe also works well w/cauliflower although no need to cover it with foil.)

Carey

It never ceases to amaze me when knowledgeable cooks use extra virgin olive oil in dishes like this. EVOO is a complete waste of money and mainly just a good way to set off the smoke detectors. Not only does it completely lose its distinctive flavor when heated this hot, it also has a very low smoke point (375F, so expect smoke). An extra light olive oil would be a good choice here, as would peanut, soybean, canola, corn, or even ghee.

Cate Doty, Senior Staff Editor, NYT Cooking

You can roast frozen brussels sprouts; just make sure they don't thaw before you put them in the oven. Steaming the water off in the oven will help keep them crispy.

Steve Abbott

This is a marvelous way to prepare Brussels sprouts and is probably my family's favorite presentation. I would, however, maintain an oven temp closer to 375 degrees with an oven cooking time closer to 15-20 minutes. This still produces, at least in my oven, very brown, slightly charred sprouts which we prefer to the more extensively charred sprouts cooked at the higher temperature. Just watch them closely and you'll get what YOU like!

Joanna

Unnecessary fussing. No need to use skillet. No need to "cut side down". Simple stir with oil. season bake as directed. Stir half way though.

JL Rivers

I like to toss the brussels sprouts in the olive oil to get them nicely coated before placing them on a baking sheet and in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes at 400F.

jeffsf

A pint of brussels sprouts is nowhere near a pound. A quart is about 13 ounces.

Kathryn

another look at the recipe and adjusted it. 10-20 minutes @ 400 degrees with a few shakes of the pan in between. I hope this change yields better results for all of you!Cover the pan with large heavy duty foil for the first 10 minutes so the sprouts steam and soften a bit. Then remove the foil for the last 20 minutes. Add chopped pancetta or bacon with the brussels sprouts when you toss them with olive oil - it add a wonderful flavor. And mince the garlic instead of whole cloves, but

Kurt

A little chopped pancetta with the sweetness of the roasted brussels sprouts and slight acidity from the balsamic made this “delicious” according to my 5 year old granddaughter.

citymombt

if u have steam oven, it makes this recipe very fast..sear on stove, preheat steam oven - then when ready , turn off steam to reg. convection and put in for maybe 5 min...drizzle balsamic. done!

Erin Kurinsky

I loved this recipe, but I need a little more clarity. How long in the pan before going into the oven? How long in the oven? I ended up with beautifully tasting, melt-in-your-mouth sprouts. They literally dissolved upon eating. Were they supposed to have a little firmness to them? I liked them this way, but my husband wanted a little more bite. What is the correct firmness for a brussels sprout?

SK19118

YES!!!!! Finally got my Brussel sprouts to turn out the way I wanted! Will prepare this way from now on.

Jsully

Made on Feb 7 2024.

GRP

Absolutely perfect and utterly simple recipe for brussels sprout lovers.

theSOW

The platonic ideal of Brussels sprouts recipes. Delicious and easy.

Sam K

10min in oven should suffice. I like how browned the brussels gets by cooking on the stove face down first.

BeeQuay

Toss in oil, roast in an airfryer, finish in a mixing bowl. This leaves the oven to cook the roast or whatever else you're cooking. I prefer to finish with fig reduction instead of balsamic.

yup

Just roast no stove top. 400 for 20 ish

Heather W

I subbed pomegranate molasses for balsamic. Also used a nonstick pan—that could take 390F temp in oven. Delicious!

Pamela

It was excellent. Great texture--soft but not mushy sprouts with the perfect amount of charred and crisp leaves. My only change, in future, will be the reduction of the amount of balsamic vinegar (not a fan) or the substitution of said vinegar with another aromatic liquid.

Lily K

These were so good! Made exactly as written, but added shallots!

KL

We use one tbsp of olive oil! Excellent!

Hart

Bob Simons made this for us December 2023. Delicious!!!

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Garlic Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak brussel sprouts before roasting? ›

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.

Is it better to roast brussel sprouts whole or cut in half? ›

While you can make roasted Brussels sprouts whole or halved, I recommend trimming and halving them for this easy recipe. To trim: Using a knife, trim off the bottom of the tough stem end of each Brussels sprout. Then, remove any yellow or damaged leaves, and cut each Brussels sprout in half lengthwise.

Should brussel sprouts be parboiled before roasting? ›

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.

Why won't my brussel sprouts get crispy? ›

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. (425°F is even better.)

Do you cook Brussels sprouts face up or down? ›

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.

Do you need to boil Brussels sprouts before roasting? ›

To guarantee great texture, do both! Trim and halve your brussels, then blanch and thoroughly dry them, and then roast at a high temperature until the outer leaves are starting to blacken. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness.

How do you keep Brussels sprouts from drying out in the oven? ›

Like soggy steamed Brussels, Brussels sprouts that are dry and chewy are no good either. This could be caused by using too little oil for roasting. You need a nice coating of oil—enough to make the heads shiny or if they're cut, enough oil to get inside the folds of some of the leaves.

Why are my roasted brussels sprouts soggy? ›

If they are soggy and mushy-they are probably overcooked. You want a crisp on the outside Brussel sprout, so watch that cooking time.

Why do you cut a cross in the bottom of a brussel sprout? ›

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. A cross cut into the base of the sprouts was thought to drive the evil spirits away.

How do I roast brussel sprouts without bitterness? ›

My favorite way is to just toss in some olive oil, salt and pepper and either roast or wrap in foil and throw on the grill. I find most fresh brussels to be fine and not bitter at all. Keep away from the frozen because most all seem to be bitter.

Do you need to trim brussel sprouts before roasting? ›

No matter how you're going to cook your Brussels sprouts, you'll want to trim them first.

What season is best for brussel sprouts? ›

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.

Should brussel sprouts be dry before roasting? ›

If you want deliciously crispy brussels sprouts, you're already off to a good start with thoroughly drying them after they've been washed. You can achieve savory crispy brussels sprouts whether you're cooking them in the oven or on the stovetop in a pan.

How can I improve the taste of Brussels sprouts? ›

It's all in the seasoning

There's a reason why maple syrup has become such a popular ingredient in Brussels sprouts dishes. The sweetness works with the bitterness, and the sugar helps to caramelize the sprouts and bring out their own sweetness. A bit of brown sugar will also work. Acid can be useful as well.

Should sprouts be soaked before cooking? ›

Soaking: Think of soaking as the initial step before actually sprouting a legume, grain, nut or seed. Many people soak beans before cooking to cut down on cooking time and reduce compounds that may cause gasiness in our digestive systems (although it's not completely necessary, it's definitely recommended).

What does soaking Brussels sprouts in salt water do? ›

Brining is the process of soaking food in a saltwater solution to enhance its flavor and texture. Brining brussel sprouts helps to infuse them with flavor and ensure they stay tender when cooked.

What do you soak brussel sprouts in to clean them? ›

Transfer the sprouts into the bowl of water and baking soda, ensuring there's enough liquid to cover them completely. If there's not, add more water and baking soda until they're covered. Then, let them soak for up to 10 minutes. Use a vegetable brush to scrub each sprout.

Why are my oven roasted brussel sprouts mushy? ›

If they are soggy and mushy-they are probably overcooked. You want a crisp on the outside Brussel sprout, so watch that cooking time.

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