How to Freeze Brussels Sprouts

Brussel sprouts ingredients

 The Spruce Eats

Brussels sprouts, a member of the cabbage family, are an easy and economical vegetable to grow in the home garden. Each plant can yield up to 3 pounds of sprouts throughout the growing season. Like most vegetables, Brussels sprouts freeze beautifully so you can enjoy them throughout the year.

The little cabbage-like sprouts grow on the stalk. You might even find them sold on the stalk in the fall, winter, or early spring. If they are on the stalk, they will be fresher, more flavorful, and moister. You can even roast them, stalk and all, and then cut them off to eat or freeze.

Freeze Blanched Brussels Sprouts

The most common way to freeze Brussels sprouts is to blanch them first. A pound of fresh, trimmed Brussels sprouts will yield about 1 1/2 pints frozen.

  1. Choose firm, compact sprouts from 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Look for any signs of insect damage. Trim and discard the root end and any coarse, yellowed, or damaged outer leaves.
  2. Wash under cold, running water. If you suspect insects, soak the sprouts for about 1 hour in cold water with 1 tablespoon of salt per gallon. The salt will coax out any insects or worms that might be hiding in the leaves.
  3. Fill a large bowl with ice and water; set aside.
  4. Bring a large stockpot of water to a boil over high heat.
  5. Blanching time depends on the size of the heads, so sort and separate the sprouts by sizes. 
  6. Add the sprouts to the boiling water, the larger ones first. Blanch the large sprouts for 5 minutes, the medium sprouts for 4 minutes, and the small sprouts for 3 minutes. You can either cook them in large, medium, and small batches or add the medium ones after the large ones have cooked for 1 minute and then add the small ones after 2 minutes have passed. Continue boiling for 3 minutes.
  7. Immediately plunge the blanched sprouts into the ice water to halt the cooking process. Let them cool completely.
  8. Spread the sprouts out in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet and pat them dry. Freeze the sprouts for about 1 hour.
  9. Transfer the frozen sprouts to freezer bags or containers, and squeeze out as much air as possible. A vacuum sealing system is an excellent investment for longer term storage, especially if you do a lot of freezing.
  10. Label the containers or bags with the name and date and freeze the Brussels sprouts for up to 12 months.

To cook the frozen sprouts, cover with seasoned water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender. You can also make simmered Brussels sprouts with stewed tomatoes or they can be cooked in a gratin with cream and cheese.

Freezing Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts are delicious and you can capture that flavor before freezing the vegetable. When you're ready to place them on the dinner table, heating up the roasted Brussels sprouts is quick and easy.

  1. Trim and clean the Brussels sprouts following the first two steps above.
  2. Heat the oven to 400 F (200 C/Gas 6).
  3. Toss Brussels sprouts with about 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil for each pound of sprouts.
  4. Arrange the sprouts in a single layer in a jelly-roll pan or rimmed baking pan.
  5. Roast for about 40 minutes, or until tender, shaking the pan frequently to turn the sprouts.
  6. Remove to a rack and let the sprouts cool completely. Transfer the cooled sprouts to resealable freezer bags or containers.
  7. Label with the name and date; freeze the roasted sprouts for up to 12 months.

To cook the frozen brussel sprouts, saute in a skillet or saute pan in olive oil or butter until tender or heat in the microwave. Toss with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, if desired.