As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my Privacy Policy for more details.
Roasted Brussels sprouts with apples and caramelized onions is perfect for a Thanksgiving table or as an autumn side dish. It’s topped with a smattering of toasted pistachios. Vegan & gluten-free.
I’ve always had a real soft spot for things in miniature.
As a child I spent hours decorating and redecorating my dollhouse with tiny little beds covered in itsy-bitsy blankets and even tinier pillows.
I opened and closed the door on the thumb-sized cast iron stove and set the table with pinky-sized plates. I loved the details of things that we usually take in at a much larger size now in the palm of my hand.
As an adult, I could buy teeny spoons, forks, and knives all day long for serving with sauces, chutneys, and spreads.
I have no restraint when it comes to miniature sauce dishes for holding tamari and hot Chinese mustard…
So I remember as a child of 7 or 8 taking great interest in Brussels sprouts. Their adorable little form was like one of my favorite vegetables – cabbage – but in miniature.
One little sprout would have been just the right size for my dollhouse family to have a feast of cabbage & potatoes.
However, the taste was not quite so delicate. To my young palate, the bold flavor left something to be desired.
Boiled Brussels sprouts were much more bitter than their cabbage-y brethren. Some bites were okay, but for the most part the sprouts had a pungent aftertaste that lingered on the back of the tongue like horseradish.
I was not a fan.
Roasted Brussels sprouts with apples
So whenever people tell me that they don’t like Brussels sprouts, I get it.
And then I wonder how they’ve had them prepared. Because boiling Brussels sprouts is doing them no great service.
Like so many vegetables, to really bring their inherent sweetness to life, roasting is the best course of action.
Asparagus is lovely steamed, but roasted? I could finish off a platter myself.
Steamed broccoli or cauliflower are totally legitimate as sides. But roast them instead and people who tend to not care about eating their vegetables start asking questions about how they can make them at home.
One night several years ago I was making a roasted Brussels sprouts dish from The Vegan Table on the same evening that I was having a dish with roasted apples.
Then in a vegetable-version of “You got your chocolate in my peanut butter,” a new favorite dish was formed.
Roasted Brussels sprouts with apples, caramelized onions, and pistachios.
Not only does the roasting cut any bitterness from the Brussels sprouts, the sweetness of apple and caramelized onions evens the playing field. It balances the sprouts’ more pungent flavor with an edge of lightness.
If I could only have Brussels sprouts one way for the rest of my life, this is the roasted Brussels sprouts recipe I would make.
I have been tweaking the dish ever since and serving it at holiday gatherings or during the summer when Brussels sprouts are in season.
It also pairs really nicely with creamy polenta (minus the sun-dried tomatoes) and Field Roast breakfast sausages or apple sage sausages, browned in a skillet.
So whether you are a long-time Brussels sprout aficionado or confirmed sprout hater from way back, I encourage you to give this roasted Brussels sprouts recipe a try. With the sweetness of apple and nuttiness of pistachios, it might surprise you…
How to make roasted Brussels sprouts with apples
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Slice the hard ends off of the Brussels sprouts. Then cut the sprouts in half.
Next, chop your apple into small to medium sized pieces.
Put the Brussels sprouts and apple pieces on a parchment paper covered baking sheet. Toss them with oil.
(If you’re making a double batch, you’ll want to use multiple baking sheets. Foods don’t brown as well when they are crowded on a pan or baking sheet.)
Put them in the oven to bake for 20 minutes, stopping once to flip when one side is brown.
Sprout sizes vary. So you may need to cook an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
Now move on to the caramelized onions.
Peel an onion and cut it in half. Then cut the onion into thin half moon slices.
Put oil in a non-stick skillet. Put onions into the skillet with a pinch of salt.
Don’t move the onions for a couple of minutes, until they start to brown.
Once brown bits have started to appear on the onions, turn the heat to low. Continue cooking the onions for 20 minutes.
Stir them occasionally with a spatula, and allow them to caramelize.
In the last minute of cooking time on the onions, add maple or agave syrup to the onions and combine.
Move the onions to one side of the skillet, and add the pistachios. Allow them to brown for 30 seconds to a minute.
Remove Brussels sprouts and apples from the oven and add them to the skillet. Evenly combine them with the caramelized onions and pistachios. Serve immediately.
Roasted Brussels sprouts with apples, caramelized onions, and pistachios
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound Brussels sprouts sliced in half length-wise with ends removed
- 1 large apple cored and cut into small to medium sized chunks
- 1 teaspoon organic canola oil or other neutral-flavored oil, divided
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 medium-sized yellow onion sliced very thinly into half moons
- 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or agave syrup
- 2 Tablespoons roasted pistachio halves and pieces I use unsalted. If using salted, adjust other salt in recipe accordingly
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- On a parchment paper lined baking sheet, toss Brussels sprouts and apples with 3/4 teaspoon oil and a pinch of salt. Lay them evenly across the baking sheet, being careful not to overcrowd.
- Roast Brussels sprouts and apples for 20 minutes, stopping once to flip. Don't flip the Brussels sprouts until they are nicely brown on one side. (Brussels sprouts can vary in size and cooking time. They are done when they can easily be pierced with a fork. If necessary, roast for 5 to 10 minutes more.)
- While the Brussels sprouts are roasting, put remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil in a non-stick skillet and bring to a medium high heat.
- Add onions to the skillet with a pinch of salt and don't move them for a couple of minutes until they start to brown.
- Once brown bits have started to appear on the onions, turn the heat to low and continue cooking the onions for 20 minutes, stirring them occasionally with a spatula, and allowing them to caramelize.
- In the last minute of cooking time on the onions, add maple syrup or agave syrup to the onions and combine.
- Move the onions to one side of the skillet, and add the pistachios. Allow them to brown for 30 seconds to a minute.
- Remove Brussels sprouts and apples from the oven and add them to the skillet. Evenly combine them with the caramelized onions and pistachios. Taste for salt, and add more if necessary. Serve immediately.
Nicole says
April 21, 2014 at 1:44 pmI have a mini kitchen utensil obsession! I’m not allowed to buy any more, it’s that bad! I have 3 mini spatulas, 2 mini whisks, mini cheese grater, mini funnel, etc. anything mini like that I see and I’ll buy! I must be stopped! In my defense I use them all, I really do!
Unfortunately I’m one of those brussel sprout skeptics. I’ve only had them a few times ever and I’m sure they definitely weren’t prepared right. Maybe I will get brave and try roasting them though! This recipe does make them seem a bit more appetizing.
I just tried your balsamic baked tofu recipe from youtube for lunch today and it was so delicious!
Cadry says
April 23, 2014 at 9:51 amWow, what a bounty of mini kitchen tools! I would love all of those things. I have a feeling you and I would be the worst shopping buddies, because we’d enable each other to buy more mini kitchen goodness! 🙂
You should definitely give roasting a try sometime with Brussels sprouts. I think preparation method makes all of the difference, especially with a vegetable that can be on the bitter side. If you try it out, you’ll have to let me know what you thought either way.
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the tofu! Thanks for telling me!
Bianca- Vegan Crunk says
April 21, 2014 at 3:02 pmThat sounds amazing. I love roasted Brussels, but I’m sure they’re even better with apples and caramelized onions!
Cadry says
April 23, 2014 at 9:53 amThanks, Bianca!
FoodFeud says
April 21, 2014 at 4:53 pmI love the complete meal you made of it with polenta and sausages. I’m not such a huge fan of cooked apples, but I’d think the sweetness of caramelized onions might be enough to balance the (delicious) bitterness of sprouts.
Currently picturing a doll family feasting on a single sprout…
Cadry says
April 23, 2014 at 9:55 amI know it’s not a totally new revelation, but the sausages and polenta complimented each other so well! I make the Brussels sprouts without the apples sometimes too, and it’s still really good that way.
I’m glad to hear that I’ve given you some cute things to think about. 🙂
Caitlin says
April 22, 2014 at 5:21 amyou seriously hit the nail on the head with this dish! i am pretty much obsessed with apples, brussels sprouts, onions, and pistachios. oh pistachios…. i love them so. i agree that this is the perfect dish for a holiday, but i would totally make this for myself any day of the week.
Cadry says
April 23, 2014 at 9:56 amYay! I’m glad to hear that the elements of this recipe work for you. On the day that I made this batch for photographs, I seriously ate the whole bowl by myself for breakfast! Why not?
Becky says
April 22, 2014 at 7:23 amLooks amazing! I love Brussels sprouts.
Cadry says
April 23, 2014 at 9:57 amThanks, Becky!
An Unrefined Vegan says
April 22, 2014 at 7:37 amI’m a big fan of roasted Brussels sprouts – but adding the apple is sweet inspiration.
Cadry says
April 23, 2014 at 9:57 amThey go together really well. They were definitely meant to be buddies. 🙂
Abby says
April 22, 2014 at 8:45 amI also have a mini kitchen utensil obsession! Or actually, anything mini. I don’t know why, but maybe it has to do with my OCD and space/clutter issues. Regardless, mini is fun. As for Brussels sprouts? Love them, but I’m super boring (big surprise, I know.) I don’t like much muddling up the flavor so just steamed with some Earth Balance is perfect for me. I really should try to roast them some time…
Cadry says
April 23, 2014 at 10:00 amYes, mini is fun! Is it any wonder that my dream car is a Mini Coop? The trend continues!
You should totally give roasting a go sometime. It doesn’t take much more work than steaming if you just throw them on a parchment paper covered baking sheet with a bit of oil and salt and let them go. Plus, parchment makes for a quick and easy clean-up too.
Richa says
April 22, 2014 at 4:03 pmi cannot take my eyes off all the pottery. so pretty!
roasted b sprouts.. yum
Cadry says
April 23, 2014 at 10:03 amAw, that’s so sweet of you to say! Thank you, Richa! I got a new glaze that I used on the dish that’s holding the sprouts. I really like how it turned out, and I’m looking forward to using it again on more pieces in the future.
flickingthevs says
April 23, 2014 at 2:29 amMy one and only super power is a deep and enduring love of Brussel sprouts. I’ve never been a sprout dodger, even when they’re boiled half to death. I’m pretty sure I’d be happy with a big bowl of this, a fork and nothing else!
Cadry says
April 23, 2014 at 10:05 amI highly approve of your super power. I can’t wait for you to get your own comic book or movie! That’s one superhero film I’d go see! 🙂
The way you feel about Brussels sprouts is the way I feel about asparagus. Even when they’re way overcooked, I still love them.
acookinthemaking says
April 23, 2014 at 2:15 pmYum–I LOVE Brussels sprouts in every form! I totally agree with you that roasting is the way to convert people to any veggie. It’s how my mom came to like cauliflower and my husband came to like asparagus!
Cadry says
April 27, 2014 at 4:45 pmAbsolutely! It’s how David came to like cabbage. Cooking method makes such a huge difference in terms of flavor and texture.
Heather says
April 25, 2014 at 11:14 amLove roasted Brussels and pistachios are my fave, together I am sure they are amazing!
Cadry says
April 27, 2014 at 4:46 pmThanks, Heather!
Poppy says
April 25, 2014 at 9:19 pmLove the flash of red the apple gives! Gorgeous!
Cadry says
April 27, 2014 at 4:46 pmThanks, Poppy! It’s especially festive at the holidays!
veganinbrighton says
May 1, 2014 at 4:27 amI am definitely a fussy brussels sprout eater, they have to be perfect and this recipe sounds amazing. My favourite way I’ve tried them (so far!) is wok fried with lime, mint and chilli but that was at Departure Lounge so of course I’ve never made ’em that good at home!
Cadry says
May 5, 2014 at 8:49 amThanks, Jojo! That lime/mint/chili spin on sprouts sounds really delicious. I rarely use mint, outside of tea, water, or mixed drinks. I’ll have to keep that in mind in the future!
Bianca- Vegan Crunk says
May 2, 2014 at 9:14 amHey again! Wanted to reply here to your savory tea question. I actually don’t notice the green tea taste in the Millie’s Savory Teas at all. They really taste more like broth….I think there’s just a little tea in the bags and lots of other herbs and spices.
Cadry says
May 2, 2014 at 9:26 amOh, great! Thanks for letting me know. I’m definitely going to pick up one of the sample packs then while they’re on sale.
cookeasyvegan says
May 4, 2014 at 8:06 pmI love the oval serving dish that the Brussels sprouts are in — very elegant shape and beautiful color. The bowls are great, too!
Cadry says
May 5, 2014 at 8:47 amThanks, Andrea! That’s a new glaze that I’m working with and I’m really happy with the results. I initially made the sprouts dish as a holder for 3 little sauce cups; however, it ended up working well as a mini casserole dish too. I haven’t been able to go into the pottery studio for a while, but hopefully I’ll have a chance to make more of them at some point.
Earlene says
November 9, 2014 at 10:08 pmI can’t wait to get some sprouts and give this a go. It looks so yummy!
Cadry says
November 9, 2014 at 10:12 pmThanks, Earlene! I hope you enjoy it!
Becky Striepe says
September 12, 2016 at 10:09 amOh man, I’m the only person in my house who likes Brussels sprouts. Maybe this recipe will change that!
Cadry says
September 15, 2016 at 12:23 pmI’ve served it at a lot of potlucks over the years, and it tends to go over really well. I bet your guys would like it!
Emily says
November 17, 2018 at 8:23 amI want to make for Thanksgiving but need to make ahead for 2 different houses… would this work? How do I reheat?
Cadry says
November 17, 2018 at 8:32 amI usually just re-heat it in the microwave. The Brussels sprouts are softer than they are fresh out of the oven, but the flavor is just as good. If you’d like to keep their crispy texture, though, you could re-heat in the oven. The Kitchn gives some good tips on reheating crispy Brussels sprouts in the oven.