Getting people excited about brussels sprouts can feel like an uphill battle. Between their reputation as the vegetable everyone pushed around their plate as kids, and the challenge of cooking them just right, it’s no wonder many home cooks shy away from these little green gems.
But here’s the good news: grilled brussels sprouts are a total game-changer. They’re quick to prepare, impossible to mess up, and have this amazing crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside thing going on that’ll make you wonder why you didn’t try them this way sooner.
Why You’ll Love These Grilled Brussels Sprouts
- Quick side dish – These grilled Brussels sprouts are ready in just 30 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute BBQ additions.
- Simple ingredients – You only need 6 basic ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen – Brussels sprouts, onion, olive oil, and some common seasonings.
- Healthy choice – These Brussels sprouts are naturally low-carb, vegan, and packed with vitamins and fiber, making them a nutritious addition to any meal.
- Easy preparation – Just slice, season, and grill – there’s no complicated technique or fancy equipment needed to make these tasty vegetables.
What Kind of Brussels Sprouts Should I Use?
For grilling, you’ll want to look for firm, compact Brussels sprouts that feel heavy for their size and have tight, bright green leaves. Smaller sprouts (about 1-1.5 inches in diameter) are often sweeter and more tender than larger ones, though any size will work as long as you cut them consistently for even cooking. Fresh sprouts are available year-round, but they’re at their peak from late fall through early spring. If you’re buying them still attached to the stalk, that’s great – they’ll stay fresh longer, but individual sprouts from the produce section are perfectly fine too. Just avoid any that have yellowing leaves or feel soft when squeezed.
Options for Substitutions
This simple grilled veggie recipe can be adapted with a few easy swaps:
- Brussels sprouts: If Brussels sprouts aren’t your thing or you can’t find them, try using small broccoli florets or thick-cut cabbage wedges. Just keep the pieces big enough so they don’t fall through the grill grates.
- Yellow onion: Red onions or sweet Vidalia onions work great here too. You could even try leeks – just make sure to clean them well and keep the layers intact.
- Olive oil: Any high-heat cooking oil will work – try avocado oil or grapeseed oil. Just avoid butter as it can burn on the grill.
- Garlic powder: Fresh minced garlic works too (use 2-3 cloves), or try onion powder for a different flavor. If using fresh garlic, add it in the last few minutes of cooking to prevent burning.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Grilling
The biggest mistake when grilling Brussels sprouts is not preparing them properly – make sure to trim the woody stems and remove any discolored outer leaves, then cut them in half lengthwise so they cook evenly. A common error is overcrowding the grill, which leads to steaming instead of getting those desirable crispy, charred edges – give your sprouts enough space to develop that wonderful grilled flavor. To prevent your Brussels sprouts from falling through the grates, use a grilling basket or place them on skewers, and keep a close eye on them since they can go from perfectly charred to burnt in just a minute or two. For the best texture and flavor, grill them over medium-high heat for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, and remember to toss them in oil and seasonings before they hit the grill to ensure they don’t stick and get properly seasoned.
What to Serve With Grilled Brussels Sprouts?
These grilled Brussels sprouts make an excellent side dish that pairs really well with almost any protein! For a classic dinner combo, serve them alongside a juicy grilled steak or roasted chicken – the smoky flavors from the grill complement the meat perfectly. If you’re keeping things casual, they’re great next to a grilled burger or sausages too. For my vegetarian friends, I love serving these sprouts with a hearty quinoa pilaf or alongside marinated grilled tofu. Since they’re already seasoned simply with garlic and olive oil, they won’t compete with whatever main dish you choose.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These grilled Brussels sprouts can hang out in your fridge for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. They’re great for meal prep since you can make a big batch and enjoy them throughout the week with different meals.
Make Ahead: Want to get a head start? You can prep the Brussels sprouts by washing, trimming, and halving them up to 2 days before grilling. Store the prepped sprouts in a sealed bag in the fridge until you’re ready to season and grill them.
Serve Again: To bring back that nice grilled flavor, pop your leftover Brussels sprouts in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until they’re warm. You can also warm them in the microwave, though they won’t be quite as crispy. A quick sprinkle of salt before serving helps wake up the flavors!
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 20-25 minutes |
| Total Time | 30-40 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 300-350
- Protein: 5-10 g
- Fat: 25-30 g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35 g
Ingredients
- 8 ounces brussels sprouts, halved
- Half a yellow onion, sliced thickly
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, with more to taste
- Freshly ground salt and pepper to taste
Step 1: Preheat the Grill and Prepare Ingredients
Begin by preheating your grill to 400°F.
While the grill is heating, wash your Brussels sprouts thoroughly and pat them dry with a clean towel to ensure they are ready for grilling.
Prepare onion slices as well.
Step 2: Season Brussels Sprouts and Onions
Add the Brussels sprouts and onion slices to a large bowl.
Drizzle them with olive oil and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Toss everything together to make sure the vegetables are well coated with the seasoning.
Step 3: Prepare the Foil Packet
Transfer the seasoned Brussels sprouts and onions onto a large piece of foil.
Lay another large piece of foil on top and seal the edges by folding them together securely.
Use a fork or knife to puncture a small hole at the top of the foil packet to allow steam to escape easily while grilling.
Step 4: Grill the Foil Packet
Place the prepared foil packet over direct heat on the preheated grill.
Grill for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the Brussels sprouts are tender and lightly browned.
Check on them occasionally to ensure even cooking without burning.
Step 5: Serve and Season to Taste
Carefully remove the foil packet from the grill and open it, being cautious of the hot steam.
Serve the grilled Brussels sprouts and onions immediately.
Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary to suit your preference.
Enjoy the delicious, smoky flavor of grilled vegetables!