Brussels sprouts are a nutritious and delicious vegetable that can be a great addition to many meals. However, like many vegetables, there is some debate around whether brussels sprouts maintain their texture and flavor when reheated after initial cooking. Some people find that brussels sprouts get mushy and lose their flavor when reheated, while others have success retaining the taste and texture of brussels sprouts after reheating them. So what’s the verdict – do brussels sprouts reheat well?
The basics of brussels sprouts
Before diving into whether brussels sprouts reheat well, it’s helpful to understand some basics about brussels sprouts themselves. Brussels sprouts are a cultivated variety of wild cabbage native to Belgium. They grow as multiple small cabbage-like heads on a single long stalk. Brussels sprouts are typically about 1-2 inches in diameter.
Some key facts about brussels sprouts:
– They have a mild, slightly bitter taste when raw, but cooking brings out their natural sweetness. Roasting brussels sprouts caramelizes their natural sugars.
– Their peak season is September through February. Like most vegetables, sprouts are most flavorful and nutritious when purchased and eaten seasonally.
– Brussels sprouts can be purchased fresh, frozen or canned. Fresh brussels sprouts will have the best flavor but frozen sprouts retain more nutrients.
– Brussels sprouts are extremely nutritious, packed with vitamins C, K, folate, manganese, fiber, potassium, and more. They’re low in calories – 1 cup of cooked brussels sprouts has around 60 calories.
Do brussels sprouts reheat well?
Whether brussels sprouts reheat well largely depends on a few key factors:
– How the brussels sprouts are cooked initially – Brussels sprouts that are roasted or sautéed generally reheat better than boiled or steamed sprouts. Dry cooking methods reduce moisture, which makes them less prone to getting mushy.
– How long the brussels sprouts are cooked initially – Overcooking brussels sprouts to start will make them mushier and less likely to reheat well. Cook them just until tender-crisp.
– How the brussels sprouts are stored after initial cooking – Brussels sprouts that are cooled quickly after cooking and stored in an airtight container in the fridge will reheat better than those left to cool at room temp.
– The reheating method – Quick, high-heat methods like sautéing or roasting generally reheat brussels sprouts best. Microwaving and steaming tend to make them mushier.
So with the right initial cooking method, cook time, storage, and reheating technique, brussels sprouts absolutely can reheat well! Follow the tips below for the best results.
Tips for reheating brussels sprouts
Here are some tips to help brussels sprouts retain their texture and flavor when reheating:
Cook sprouts properly initially
– Roast or sauté sprouts instead of boiling or steaming. Dry heat reduces moisture.
– Don’t overcook initially. Cook sprouts just until fork tender, about 5 minutes for steaming or sautéing, 15-20 minutes for roasting at 400°F.
– Season sprouts while cooking. Salt helps keep sprouts from absorbing too much moisture.
Store sprouts correctly after initial cooking
– Cool sprouts quickly by spreading on a baking sheet. Don’t let them steam and get mushy.
– Place cooled sprouts in an airtight container or zip top bag.
– Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Brussels sprouts last longer than many veggies.
Reheat sprouts using high heat method
– Roast leftovers sprouts at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until hot and slightly crispy on the outside.
– Sauté in olive oil over medium-high heat until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
– Avoid boiling, steaming or microwaving, which make sprouts mushy.
Some serving ideas for reheated brussels sprouts
– Toss roasted, sautéed or raw reheated brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, bacon, shaved parmesan.
– Reheat and serve alongside a protein like chicken, fish or steak.
– Sauté with diced apples, walnuts, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for a tasty side.
– Purée leftover brussels sprouts into a soup with stock and cream or milk.
Recipes using leftover brussels sprouts
Reheating is not the only way to use up leftover brussels sprouts. Here are some delicious recipe ideas that transform leftover brussels sprouts into something new:
Brussels sprout and kale salad with lemon dressing
Ingredients:
– 2 cups leftover roasted or sautéed brussels sprouts, cooled
– 2 cups chopped kale
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 2 tbsp lemon juice
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup shaved parmesan
– Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Combine cooled brussels sprouts, kale, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic in a salad bowl. Toss to coat.
2. Add shaved parmesan and toss again.
3. Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy!
Cheesy brussels sprout gratin
Ingredients:
– 2 cups leftover roasted or sautéed brussels sprouts
– 1/4 cup grated parmesan
– 1 cup shredded cheddar or gruyere
– 1 cup cream or half and half
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1/4 cup breadcrumbs or panko
– Salt and pepper
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In an oven safe baking dish, combine brussels sprouts, cheeses, cream, garlic, oil, salt and pepper.
3. Top with breadcrumbs and bake 25-30 minutes until browned and bubbly.
Brussels sprout frittata
Ingredients:
– 2 cups chopped roasted brussels sprouts
– 8 eggs, beaten
– 1/4 cup milk
– 2 oz feta, crumbled
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– Salt and pepper
Directions:
1. Heat olive oil in oven safe skillet over medium heat.
2. Add brussels sprouts and cook 2-3 minutes to reheat.
3. Beat eggs with milk, salt and pepper. Pour into skillet.
4. Cook 3-5 minutes until eggs start to set, then transfer to oven.
5. Bake at 350°F 10-12 minutes until frittata is set. Top with feta.
Brussels sprout and apple pasta salad
Ingredients:
– 2 cups roasted, cooled and sliced brussels sprouts
– 1 cup diced apples
– 8 oz cooked pasta (penne, rotini, farfalle)
– 1/3 cup olive oil
– 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
– 1 shallot, minced
– 1/4 cup toasted walnuts
– 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
– Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine brussels sprouts, apples, cooked pasta, oil, vinegar, shallot, walnuts, parmesan, salt and pepper.
2. Toss to coat evenly and chill before serving.
Common questions about reheating brussels sprouts
Here are answers to some common questions about brussels sprouts and reheating them:
How long do brussels sprouts last in the fridge?
Brussels sprouts will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days if stored properly in an airtight container. Cooked brussels sprouts stored this way will reheat well within that window.
Can you freeze brussels sprouts? How long do they last?
Yes, you can freeze brussels sprouts either raw or cooked. Trim and blanch raw sprouts for 1-2 minutes before freezing for maximum nutrient retention. Cooked brussels sprouts can be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
What’s the best way to reheat frozen brussels sprouts?
The best way to reheat frozen brussels sprouts is to roast them in a 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes until hot and starting to crisp and caramelize. Roasting helps revive their texture and flavor.
Can you microwave brussels sprouts?
You can microwave brussels sprouts to reheat them but the texture tends to suffer. If microwaving, use a microwave steam bag, cook at 50% power and shake the bag halfway through to redistribute. This will help minimize mushiness.
Do brussels sprouts lose nutrients when reheated?
Some water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and B vitamins can be lost when reheating cooked vegetables like brussels sprouts. Reheating decreases nutrients more than the initial cooking. But brussels sprouts still retain a significant amount of nutrients, fiber and antioxidants when reheated.
Key takeaways on reheating brussels sprouts
To summarize the key points on whether brussels sprouts reheat well:
– Brussels sprouts can reheat well if cooked properly the first time, stored correctly, and reheated using the right technique.
– Roasting, sautéing and dry cooking methods produce the best results for reheating. Steaming and boiling increase mushiness upon reheating.
– Don’t overcook brussels sprouts initially – cook just until fork tender. Chill quickly after cooking.
– Reheat with high heat like roasting or sautéing rather than microwaving or steaming.
– Brussels sprouts retain nutrients well even when reheated. They make delicious, versatile leftovers.
– With the right methods, brussels sprouts absolutely can reheat deliciously!
Conclusion
While no vegetable keeps its perfect texture and flavor after reheating, brussels sprouts hold up quite well compared to many other vegetables. With proper initial dry cooking methods, brief cook times, quick cooling, and high heat reheating techniques like roasting or sautéing, brussels sprouts can reheat deliciously. Their flavor and nutrients don’t have to be sacrificed for leftovers. With a little strategic cooking, brussels sprouts can be enjoyed freshly cooked or reheated in numerous dishes and sides for meals throughout the week. Reheated or not, brussels sprouts are a tasty and nutritious vegetable to add to your repertoire.