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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Side Dishes

Slow Cooker Brussel Sprouts

May 25, 2022 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 18 Comments

155 shares
  • 64
Diet: Gluten Free
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Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts with a text title overlay.

If you can't think of anything worse than plain boiled Brussels sprouts, then try our slow cooker version. Slow Cooker Brussel 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 cynics.

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

About these Slow Cooker Brussel Sprouts

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 divisive) 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 brussel sprouts in slow cooker a try! You can even use frozen Brussels sprouts.

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:
  • About these Slow Cooker Brussel Sprouts
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • How to Make Slow Cooker Brussel Sprouts - Step by Step
  • How to Choose Brussels Sprouts
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storage
  • Extra Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Vegetable Side Dishes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Ingredients and Substitutions

The ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.

A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  • 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.

More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.

How to Make Slow Cooker Brussel Sprouts - 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 loathe 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.

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.

Serving Suggestions

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

  • Easy Roast Potatoes
  • Leftover Roast Beef Sandwich
  • Broccoli Cheese
  • Slow Cooker Green Beans
  • Cranberry Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Roast Beef
  • Turkey Pie
  • Perfect Roast Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Storage

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

Reheat: To reheat them, transfer them to an ovenproof dish in a single layer and put them in a preheated oven at 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6 until they are warm. You could also heat some oil in a frying pan and fry them to reheat.

Make in advance: You can chop all of the Brussels sprouts and put them in the slow cooker and keep in the fridge. When you are ready to cook them, let the slow cooker come room temperature, and then carry on with the rest of the recipe.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to cut sprouts in half before cooking?

No, there is not need to cut them in half. Just throw them into 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 dislike 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.

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.

More Vegetable Side Dishes

  • A plate of broccoli cheese next to roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings.
    Broccoli Cheese
  • Slow cooker green beans in a bowl with a spoon.
    Slow Cooker Green Beans
  • Easy roast potatoes in a large round serving bowl.
    Easy Roast Potatoes
  • Honey Roasted Parsnips on a blue plate.
    Honey Roasted Parsnips

If you’ve tried these Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts in a bowl next to a blue towel and a block of cheese.

Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts

By: Dannii Martin
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 cynics.
A circular logo saying GF.
Gluten Free
4.88 from 25 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: British, Christmas
Prep: 1 minute min
Cook: 2 hours hrs
Total: 2 hours hrs 1 minute min
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 232kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy

Ingredients

  • 500 g (1.1 lb) Brussels sprouts
  • 2 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 3 tablespoon Butter
  • 1 pinch Sea salt - to taste
  • 1 pinch Ground black pepper
  • 40 g (0.33 cups) Parmesan

Instructions

  • Put all the ingredients in the slow cooker and mix well
  • Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.

Recipe 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.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 270mg | Potassium: 498mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1287IU | Vitamin C: 106mg | Calcium: 174mg | Iron: 2mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. Claudia Lamascolo says

    January 17, 2021 at 6:21 pm

    5 stars
    One of all time favorite vegetable is cabbage but brussels are so much easier and we make them often I have never even known they could be done in a slow cooker this is awesome!

    Reply
  2. Emmeline says

    December 22, 2020 at 10:22 am

    5 stars
    If you add parmesan you can get me to love anything, even brussels sprouts! Delicious!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 25, 2022 at 12:35 am

      5 stars
      Made these for Thanksgiving. I didn't have the option of roasting and serving right away, so needed anothlutio. These were perfect. Delicious without having to take up stove or oven space. I didn’t add parmesan as I don't eat dairy. They were still yummy and I imagine parmesqn would have elevated it.

      Reply
      • Dannii says

        November 25, 2022 at 7:59 am

        So glad you enjoyed them. Hope you had a great thanksgiving.

        Reply
  3. Katherine says

    December 22, 2020 at 10:21 am

    5 stars
    Such a great way to save space in the oven on Christmas! These sprouts look incredible.

    Reply
  4. Charla says

    December 22, 2020 at 10:15 am

    5 stars
    The only way I will eat sprouts are in the air fryer so it will be interesting to see if I will like this method too. Challenge accepted!

    Reply
  5. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

    December 22, 2020 at 10:05 am

    5 stars
    A great idea when there is so much going on with a Christmas dinner and no soggy sprouts either!

    Reply
  6. Adrianne says

    December 22, 2020 at 9:38 am

    5 stars
    What a great Christmas side dish Dannii I love using my Slow Cooker so this is my kindof recipe!

    Reply
  7. Toni says

    December 21, 2020 at 5:38 pm

    5 stars
    This is so good!! Such a perfect addition to our holiday menu!

    Reply
  8. Laura says

    December 21, 2020 at 5:20 pm

    5 stars
    Such a great way to make brussels sprouts without having to steam or roast them. Totally hands off.

    Reply
  9. Shanna says

    December 21, 2020 at 4:59 pm

    5 stars
    These were so good and there is nothing that I would change about them.

    Reply
  10. Little Home in the Making says

    December 21, 2020 at 4:30 pm

    5 stars
    Looks so delicious! The secret with making brussels actually delicious is what you add to them, and this looks like a solid recipe!

    Reply
  11. Maria says

    December 21, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    5 stars
    Looks yummy! I'm sure even the biggest brussel sprouts hater would love this!

    Reply
    • Deborah Gostin says

      December 26, 2022 at 7:30 pm

      We made these for Christmas dinner following the recipe exactly, except they were left in the slow cooker a little too long past the two hours. Still, they were delicious and only slightly a bit too soft. Will be making again!

      Reply
  12. Jen says

    December 21, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    5 stars
    Such a lifesaver to not have to take up stove top or oven space to make these. That space is so limited during the holidays. Plus, this makes it an easy to take dish for potlucks in the future. Thanks!

    Reply
  13. Jess says

    December 21, 2020 at 1:35 pm

    5 stars
    I have never made brussels sprouts in the slow cooker before. This is life-changing!

    Reply
  14. Beth says

    December 21, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so delicious and yummy! I can't wait to give this a try! My husband and I are going to love this recipe!

    Reply
  15. Ipsa says

    December 21, 2020 at 12:14 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing brussel sprouts. I ll try this slowcooker method.

    Reply
4.88 from 25 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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