Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts

If you can't think of anything worse than plain boiled Brussels sprouts, then try our slow cooker version. Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts are perfectly cooked in oil and butter and then sprinkled with parmesan cheese for a Christmas side dish with a twist. The perfect dish to wow even the biggest sprout haters.

A bowl of brussels sprouts with a spoon in front of a blue towel.

On Christmas Day, or whenever we are making a roast dinner, our oven and hob are packed full with cooking the meat and all the sides. So, why not free up some space by cooking a classic (but which causes a big divide in opinion) side dish in the slow cooker.

Perfectly cooked sprouts, with no prep needed. Just dump them in and leave them to cook. Think you don't like Brussels sprouts? Just give these a try!

Looking for other ways to use Brussels sprouts? Try our Brussels Sprouts Gratin, Microwave Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, Christmas Salad or Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

Jump to:

Why you will love them
Ingredients needed
Step by step
Health benefits of Brussels sprouts
How to choose Brussels sprouts
What to serve with slow cooker Brussels sprouts
FAQs
Extra tips
More vegetable side dishes
Recipe
Feedback

Why you will love them

Perfectly cooked sprouts - Forget boring boiled sprouts. Cooking them in the slow cooker, low and slow, makes them perfectly soft.
Space saving side dish - Leave space in your oven for roasted meat and potatoes and cook the sides in the slow cooker.
No prep needed - Just dump everything in the slow cooker and leave.
Can be cooked from frozen - You can even use frozen Brussels sprouts.

Ingredients needed

Brussels sprouts - Make sure to choose fresh Brussels sprouts, as this will make all the difference to the finished dish. There are more tips on how to choose them below.
Butter and oil - These not only add flavour, but they help with give them a little crispiness on the outside.
Salt and pepper - Sea salt and cracked black pepper are the perfect seasoning.
Parmesan cheese - This makes the perfect topping to the slow cooker Brussels sprouts. You could use shredded mozzarella if you prefer, but it doesn't have the same flavour.

A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Step by step

One: Put all the ingredients in the slow cooker, mix well and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.

A slow cooker containing brussels sprouts and two knobs of butter.

Love them or hate them, Brussels sprouts are a must on the Christmas table. Why not try to change a few opinions this year, by giving our Slow Cooker Brussel Sprouts a try.

Perfectly cooked, sweet and tender sprouts cooked in butter and oil and then sprinkled with parmesan cheese to make them deliciously indulgent. Personally, I love sprouts. But roasting Brussels sprouts or cooking them in the slow cooker is the way to go.

Health benefits of Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts are high in fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, making them a nutritious side dish this Christmas. They can also reduce the risk of cancer, decrease inflammation and improve blood sugar control.

Brussels sprouts are high in vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting and bone health. They are a good source of vitamin C, which helps to promote iron absorption and is involved in tissue repair and immune function.

They also contain small amounts of potassium, thiamine, vitamin B6, iron, phosphorus and magnesium.

A spoon picking out some brussels sprouts from a bowl.

How to choose Brussels sprouts

They key to delicious tasting Brussels sprouts is choosing the best ones. So, here are some of our top tips for choosing them at the supermarket.

You want to look for bright green heads that are firm to touch and heavy for their size. The leaves should be tightly packed too. Avoid Brussels sprouts that have yellowing leaves (this is a sign of old sprouts) or black spots, which could indicate fungus. Smaller Brussels sprouts are usually sweeter and more tender than larger ones, so choose those if you don't like any bitterness.

What to serve with slow cooker Brussels sprouts

These are a must with any roast dinner. So, here are some of our favourite roast meats and side dishes for you to try:

A bowl of brussels sprouts next to a board of roast beef, some potatoes, carrots and parsnips.

FAQs

Do you have to cut sprouts in half before cooking?

No, there is not need to cut them in half. Just throw them in to the slow cooker whole. You just need to cut the stem off.

How do you cook Brussels sprouts so they don't taste bitter?

The key is in how you cook them, and also what you top them with. Basically, if you don't want bitter Brussels sprouts then just don't boil them. Cook them in the slow cooker, sauté them or roast them. Also, make sure that you get them really fresh - they should feel firm and be a vivid green.

Can you overcook slow cooker Brussels sprouts?

If you are boiling them then it is easy to overcook them and they turn really mushy and release excess sulphur which is where that smell comes from that so many people hate about sprouts. Perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts should be sweet and crisp and that's what you get with the slow cooker. Slow cookers are very forgiving and it's very hard to overcook something in them.

Are Brussels sprouts just small cabbages?

They are part of the same family, but they are not the same thing. With cabbages, we eat the head that grows out of the ground. Brussels sprouts, however, are buds that grow along the length of a thick, fibrous stalk.

Can you use frozen Brussels sprouts?

Yes, if you don't have any fresh or you just want to save yourself some time then you can use frozen. With frozen they are already trimmed and cleaned, so there is no prep at all. They are also really budget friendly and it means you can make this out of season.

How to store leftover slow cooker Brussels sprouts

If you have any leftovers of these, then once they have come to room temperature they can be put in to an air tight container and stored in the fridge for for 3 days.

How to reheat slow cooker Brussels spouts?

To reheat them, transfer them to an ovenproof dish in a single layer and put them in a preheated oven at 200°C/400°F/Gas 6 until they are warm. You could also heat some oil in a frying pan and fry them to reheat.

Extra tips

• Add some extra flavour by cooking some fresh cranberries at the same time as the sprouts.
• If you want to make these slow cooker Brussels sprouts more indulgent, then why not fry up some chopped up bacon and add it to the slow cooker. A bit like what we do with our slow cooker green beans recipe.
• Add a touch of sweetness with drizzle them with some balsamic glaze before serving.
• Some chopped shallots would also be a nice addition.
• A sprinkle of pine nuts before serving adds some nice texture.
• If you want really crispy sprouts, but with the ease of cooking them in the slow cooker, after cooking you can transfer them to a heatproof dish and put them under the grill for 3-4 minutes.

More vegetable side dishes

If you’ve tried these Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe