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Roasted Brussels sprouts with apples and caramelized onions makes a delightful autumn side dish or addition to your Thanksgiving table. It’s topped with a smattering of toasted pistachios. Vegan & gluten-free.
As a child of 7 or 8, I remember taking a 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 sprouts were much more bitter than their cabbage-y brethren. Some bites were okay. But for the most part they 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 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 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 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 recipe I would make.
I have been tweaking the dish ever since and serving it at holiday gatherings and whenever 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 sprout aficionado or confirmed sprout hater from way back, I encourage you to give this recipe a try. With the sweetness of apple and nuttiness of pistachios, it might surprise you…
How to make roasted Brussels sprouts with apples
Start by preheating 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 the sprouts and apples for 20 minutes, stopping once to flip. Don't flip the 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 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.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally posted April 2014. Content and photos updated September 2019.
Nicole says
I 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
Wow, 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
That sounds amazing. I love roasted Brussels, but I’m sure they’re even better with apples and caramelized onions!
Cadry says
Thanks, Bianca!
FoodFeud says
I 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
I 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
you 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
Yay! 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
Looks amazing! I love Brussels sprouts.
Cadry says
Thanks, Becky!
An Unrefined Vegan says
I’m a big fan of roasted Brussels sprouts – but adding the apple is sweet inspiration.
Cadry says
They go together really well. They were definitely meant to be buddies. 🙂
Abby says
I 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
Yes, 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.
flickingthevs says
My 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
I 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
Yum–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
Absolutely! It’s how David came to like cabbage. Cooking method makes such a huge difference in terms of flavor and texture.
Heather says
Love roasted Brussels and pistachios are my fave, together I am sure they are amazing!
Cadry says
Thanks, Heather!
Poppy says
Love the flash of red the apple gives! Gorgeous!
Cadry says
Thanks, Poppy! It’s especially festive at the holidays!
veganinbrighton says
I 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
Thanks, 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!
Earlene says
I can’t wait to get some sprouts and give this a go. It looks so yummy!
Cadry says
Thanks, Earlene! I hope you enjoy it!
Becky Striepe says
Oh man, I’m the only person in my house who likes Brussels sprouts. Maybe this recipe will change that!
Cadry says
I’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
I want to make for Thanksgiving but need to make ahead for 2 different houses… would this work? How do I reheat?
Cadry says
I usually just re-heat it in the microwave. The 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.
Sharon Kay says
This was a very easy recipe to follow. Wow, it was well worth trying.
I was guilty as charged when it comes to eating brussel sprouts, just boil and cover with spray butter. I love brussel sprouts but this recipe made them extra special and well worth the few extra steps.
The crispy edges of the brussel sprouts along with the sweet tang of the apples made my mouth water before I ever took my first bite. The caramelized onions were a perfect addition along with the nutty and crunchy flavor of the pistachios.
Actually, this recipe could be a main dish for me. I loved it!
Cadry says
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Sharon. Thank you for letting me know!