Preparing the Brussel Sprouts
Preparing Brussel Sprouts correctly is key to getting the most flavor out of them. To achieve this, sautéing is the most popular way of preparing them. This involves heating oil in a pan on high heat, adding the brussel sprouts cut-side down and stirring occasionally. The key to success is to cook them for the right amount of time. Let’s get into the details of how long to sauté brussel sprouts:
Clean and trim the brussel sprouts
To prepare the brussel sprouts for sautéing, it’s important to make sure they are clean and properly trimmed. Begin by rinsing them in cold water to remove any dirt. Then, with a sharp knife, trim off the stem end and any browned leaves.
Once trimmed, the brussel sprouts should be cut into halves or quarters, depending on their size. Always check that they are cut evenly so they will cook consistently in the pan.
After cutting and trimming, you are now ready to start cooking!
Cut the brussel sprouts into quarters
The ideal size for sautéing brussel sprouts is a quarter cut, meaning the brussel sprout is cut into four equal pieces. This helps ensure even cooking and browning when sautéing. Some chefs recommend slicing very large brussel sprouts in half length-wise on top of being cut into fourths, to make sure every single piece is cooked through before serving.
Cutting into quarters also helps to season the brussel sprouts evenly. Make sure that you take your time cutting them for this reason because uneven pieces can mean uneven cooking in the end. You can either hand-cut each piece into fourths or use a food processor to quickly prepare them for sautéing.
Cooking the Brussel Sprouts
Brussel sprouts are a delicious and nutritious side dish option. In order to get the best flavour out of the brussel sprouts, they need to be cooked correctly. Sauteing is one of the best ways to cook them, as it gives them a nice crisp flavour.
Let’s get into the details of how long you should saute brussel sprouts:
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add one or two tablespoons of oil to the pan. (If you are using bacon or butter, add it to the skillet as well). Swirl the pan to coat it with oil.
Once the fat is heated, add your shredded brussel sprouts to the skillet in an even layer. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan; if you need, cook in batches and transfer cooked sprouts onto a plate.
Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side without stirring, then flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side until brussel sprouts are tender and slightly browned in areas. Add any additional seasonings as desired during this time unless salt has been added prior; salt will cause vegetables to release moisture thereby steaming instead of sautéing them.
Add oil and butter to the skillet
Before adding any ingredients to the skillet, preheat the skillet over a medium-high heat setting and allow it to get hot. Then add oil and butter, stirring it with a wooden spoon until it melts and coats the bottom of the pan.
Once melted, add the brussel sprouts to the pan in an even layer – try to avoid crowding them as this will help you get even cooking for all pieces. If necessary, cook in batches or in more than one skillet at a time.
Sauteing the Brussel Sprouts
Sauteing brussel sprouts is a great way to bring out their unique flavor. The process is relatively easy and only takes minutes to cook. When sauteing, you want to ensure that the brussel sprouts are cooked evenly and quickly.
But, how long should you saute them for? Let’s look at the details.
Add the brussel sprouts to the skillet
Once the oil has been heated, add the brussel sprouts to the skillet. Be sure to spread them out as much as possible so that all sides can become lightly browned and slightly crispy.
The brussel sprouts will begin to soften and their flavor will become greatly enhanced. Saute for a total of 6-8 minutes or until the desired degree of doneness is reached, stirring occasionally. Move them around with a pair of tongs or a wooden spoon to ensure even cooking on all sides and adding a pinch of salt if desired.
When they are tender and lightly browned, they should be ready to be served!
Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally
When sautéing brussel sprouts, it is important to ensure that the heat of your pan is at an appropriate temperature for sautéing. To be sure that your brussel sprouts are cooked and evenly browned, use medium-high to high heat. Each side of the brussel sprout should be lightly browned when done.
Once you have heated your pan and added the oil, add in the brussel sprouts along with garlic and/or onions (if desired), salt, pepper and other desired seasonings. Stir occasionally while cooking, ensuring that each side of the brussel sprouts are lightly browned before removing them from the pan. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork.
When done cooking, remove from pan and serve immediately with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste
Once your Brussels sprouts are done sauteing, you can add a few extra ingredients to enhance their flavor. Salt, pepper and other spices or seasonings can be added to taste; however, the key is to not add too much salt or overpower the sprouts.
In addition to the seasoning, you may want to finish your sprouts with a sprinkling of freshly grated cheese or nuts like walnuts or pecans for added texture and nutty flavor. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice can also bring out more of their natural sweetness. Add these ingredients in small increments until desired flavor has been achieved.
Finishing the Dish
After you have cleaned and prepped the brussel sprouts, the next step is to sauté them. Sautéing is a fast cooking method, and it will bring out the best flavor in the brussel sprouts. But, it’s important to know how long to sauté your brussel sprouts in order to get them to the right texture and flavor.
This section will discuss the proper time to sauté brussel sprouts:
Transfer the brussel sprouts to a serving dish
Once the Brussels sprouts are sautéed to your desired level of doneness, they should be transferred to a serving dish. This can be done with a slotted spoon or spatula and it helps to keep the cooking pan from being greasy.
To ensure that all the crispy bits make it onto the serving dish, take a spoon or spatula and scrape them up before transferring. If possible, serve immediately, as this will result in the best taste and texture for your Brussels sprouts!
Add additional seasonings, if desired
Once the brussel sprouts are lightly browned and crisp-tender, a variety of seasonings can be added for an additional layer of flavor. For example, try tossing them with garlic powder, chopped fresh oregano, sage, or rosemary. Grated Parmesan cheese is a great addition as well. Herbs de Provence is another nice ingredient that brings out the flavors of the Brussels sprouts and makes them even more delectable. You can also sprinkle a bit of lemon juice over the top of them before serving as a finishing touch.
Serve immediately
Once your brussel sprouts have been cooked to perfection, it’s important to serve them immediately. Allowing the dish to sit for too long can result in soggy sprouts that lack the desired crunch and texture. The ideal time for sautéed brussel sprouts is 6-8 minutes, though this could vary depending on the size of your sprouts. To ensure optimal texture and flavor, it’s best to serve them as soon as they are done cooking.
If you need to hold your sprouts while preparing the rest of a dish or waiting for guests, transfer them from the skillet onto a plate or bowl lined with paper towels. This will help absorb excess moisture that tends to build up when cooked veggies aren’t eaten right away. Enjoy!
