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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts

    Published: Dec 21, 2020 · Modified: May 25, 2022 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 19 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Gluten Free
    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 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

    The ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.
    • 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:

    • 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
    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.

    heart icon

    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

    • Broccoli Cheese
    • Slow Cooker Green Beans
    • Easy Roast Potatoes
    • 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

    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 circular logo saying GF.
    Gluten Free
    4.74 from 26 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: British, Christmas
    Prep Time: 1 minute
    Cook Time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 1 minute
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 208kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 500 g Brussels sprouts
    • 2 tablespoon Olive oil
    • 3 tablespoon Butter
    • Sea salt and black pepper - to taste
    • 40 g Parmesan

    Instructions

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

    Notes

    • 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: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 268mg | Potassium: 495mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1287IU | Vitamin C: 106mg | Calcium: 173mg | Iron: 2mg
    DisclaimerThe 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.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Claudia Lamascolo

      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

      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

        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

          November 25, 2022 at 7:59 am

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

          Reply
    3. Katherine

      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

      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

      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

      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

      December 21, 2020 at 5:38 pm

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

      Reply
    8. Liz

      December 21, 2020 at 5:30 pm

      5 stars
      I never thought of cooking Brussels in the slow cooker! Sounds like they come out just perfect. Can't wait to try them this way!

      Reply
    9. Laura

      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
    10. Shanna

      December 21, 2020 at 4:59 pm

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

      Reply
    11. Little Home in the Making

      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
    12. Maria

      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

        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
    13. Jen

      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
    14. Jess

      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
    15. Beth

      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
    16. Ipsa

      December 21, 2020 at 12:14 pm

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

      Reply

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