Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts – The EASY Way!
Just when you think you have your meals planned, you realize that you still need to have something to go with that main dish. Ugh! One of my favorite things about this easy Brussels Sprouts recipe is that it goes with EVERYTHING! Seriously! Burgers- check… Chicken- Check…. Asian noodles- check… Barbecue- check again! Brussels Sprouts are often just thought of something you order at a fancy steakhouse or maybe something your grandma used to make, but we debunking both of those today, because this easy vegetable side dish is equally easy and delicious, and the perfect match for almost any dinner recipe. When I say EASY, I mean EASY. This recipe shines because:
It only takes 4 basic ingredientsIt can go from the fridge to the oven in as little as 5 minutesIt pairs well with most mealsBrussels sprouts stay fresh for a long time in the fridge so if your plans get derailed you don’t have to throw them out.Great basic, but can be spruced up with different flavors easily
And just in case you think you aren’t a pro chef, and these seem intimidating, well, I am going to show you how to cook brussels sprouts in a way that is virtually fool-proof, producing nearly perfect results every time!
What to Eat with Brussels Sprouts
As I mentioned above, these Roasted Brussels Spouts go well with many meats, dinner options, and a variety of cuisines. I will give you a few of our go-to items below!
Meats
Steak– Our Cast Iron Steak is a family favorite, and both this classic steak marinade and this Hawaiian steak are great, or try a quick pan cooked garlic steak bites or Cajun butter steak.Chicken– This easy chicken marinade is our favorite for the grill, or try this Baked Caesar Chicken, Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken or our popular Ranch Chicken Skillet.Pork– Our all time favorite is the Million Dollar Pork Chops, it also goes so well with our Pulled Pork.Fish– Brussel sprouts go well with most every kind of fish, from fried, to blackened fish filets, to salmon.Burgers– If you want something with a little more nutritional punch than french fries, these brussels sprouts give you a little crunch, a little salt, and a great quick veggie side for a burger.
Meals
Here are a few of our family favorite dinners to serve brussels sprouts with.
Baked Chicken CutletsOne Dish Italian Sausage and PeppersChicken PomodoroCheeseburger PastaCajun Chicken Alfredo with Zoodles
You can choose one or add a few sides to make a wholesome, well rounded dinner.
Recipe Notes
This Pan Roasted Brussel Sprouts recipe is as simple as promised! Just one pan and a couple of ingredients for an easy vegetable side dish. In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use when making this recipe to get the absolute best and most delicious results. Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients
For the classic recipe, you only need 4 very simple ingredients. This method lets the flavor of the brussels sprouts shine. The tender middle contrasts the natural caramelization and crispy charred edges for a surprisingly complex experience provided by such a simple recipe.
Brussels sprouts- You can buy fresh brussels sprouts either packaged, or on stem. Both will work well in this recipe.Olive oil- I like the flavor that olive oil gives the dish, however you can substitute most cooking oils including- vegetable oil, canola oil, avocado oil, etc.SaltPepper
The SECRET to CRISPY Brussels Sprouts!
Uniform in size– Brussels sprouts will be found in the produce section in most grocery stores. If you are buying them loose, try to choose brussels sprouts that are roughly the same size. This helps them to cook most evenly which allows us to control the cook time better!How long to cook Brussels Sprouts in the oven– We bake our brussels sprouts at 425˚F for 15-22 minutes on the lower rack. This helps to caramelize the bottom and get those coveted crispy edges! The time will vary based on both the size of your brussels sprouts and how tender you like them to be.Keep them dry– I recommend purchasing pre-washed brussels sprouts -OR- washing them at least a day ahead of time. Having dry brussels sprouts helps them to become crispy on the outside since the absence of water will create crunch.Don’t crowd the pan– When the pan is too crowded the end result will be steaming the brussels sprouts instead of roasting them. In both scanarios, the brussels sprouts will be cooked, but the steamed brussels sprouts retain more moisture and will not get crispy. Leave the leaves! When leaves fall off as you are chopping or prepping the brussels sprouts DON’T DISCARD THEM! Save the leaves and mix them right in with the seasonings and onto the pan. These become the crispiest part of the brussels sprout and the part my kids love the most!
5 {Super EASY} Recipe Variations
Although the classic recipe is amazing, we also like to switch it up from time to time. With only 1-2 additional ingredients you can completely change teh flavor! Find the full recipe for each of these flavor options in the recipe card below.
Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts– Crispy edged classic roasted brussels sprouts enhanced with the flavor of garlic.Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon– Bacon lovers won’t want to pass this one up! The classic crispy roasted brussels sprouts gets an upgrade with the addition of smokey bacon.Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts– Perfect for serving with steak or chicken, these give a tangy twist to the traditional roasted brussels sprout.Asian Roasted Brussels Sprouts– We love using this recipe when serving Asian inspired dishes. It also can make an otherwise boring meal much more lively!Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts– Salty parmesan is the perfect flavor to marry with brussels sprouts. Add a touch of garlic and these have a rich nutty flavor that is next level.
Dietary Considerations
If you have special dietary needs, this recipe meets some and can be easily modified to comply with others. This applies to the classic recipe as written, ingredients in the variations may not comply. As always, check all store bought ingredients for compliance on specific dietary needs. The notes below are a general guide.
Gluten free: This recipe is naturally gluten free.Dairy free: Roasted Brussels Sprouts are naturally dairy free.Nut free: This recipe is naturally nut freeEgg free: This recipe is naturally egg freeLow carb/Keto: This recipe has approx 6g net carbs per serving.Macros: The approximate macro calculation for this recipe is- P: 4g C: 10g F: 4g
Crispy Brussels Sprouts Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making Roasted Brussels Sprouts, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish. To save leftovers, place in an airtight container and store:
in the refrigerator for 3-4 daysin the freezer up to a month
These can be reheated in the oven or in a skillet on the stovetop to revive the crispiness, or in the microwave.
More Easy Vegetable Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night! You can check out all of my Easy Side Dish recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
Oven Roasted Vegetables – An all time favoriteGarlic Parmesan BroccoliSautéed Green BeansGarlic Spinach