How to Cook Frozen Brussel Sprouts

I have been sharing how to cook frozen food a lot lately. Why?? Because I’m forgetful and assume I’m not the only one. This focuses on how to cook frozen brussel sprouts. Now that you’re an adult you love these babies right?? When you need an easy side dish some night, try these and let us know your thoughts.

How Long to Cook Frozen Brussel Sprouts

This answer depends on how you want to do it. In the oven, shared below, will take the longest but still under 30 minutes so not too bad. There are other methods that will speed up the process. If you have one or more of these handy dandy kitchen appliances you can also try:

In the air fryer are closer to 15 minutes. You can use the same timing for Instant Pot brussel sprouts, doesn’t change from fresh to rock hard believe it or not

These just have simple seasonings on the outside. If you wanted a bolder choice I would make a balsamic sauce and toss to coat at the end.

This one is quite simple and doesn’t need a ton of explanation other than the ingredients, temperature and cook time. You can mix half and half Brussel Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes or just one. For super easy basic instructions just need the following things, no matter what the cooking method is;

How Long to Boil Frozen Brussel Sprouts

First off, I do have instructions on boiled brussel sprouts but this would be my least favorite method. No matter what vegetable it is if you boil them in water you’re going to make them mushier (and I’m all about great texture) and it will leach the nutrients right out of them. BUT if this is the only way to make them I will help you out.

• Bring a pot of water with some salt in it to a rolling boil
• Pour frozen brussels inside and boil for 4-5 minutes or until they’re as tender as you’d like
• Use a slotted spoon to remove
• If you wanted to crisp the outside you could pour them into your air fryer at 400 F. (sprayed with olive oil and seasoned) for about 3 minutes until crispy.

Enjoy as is or for a bolder flavor drizzle some of your favorite balsamic on top with a bit of olive oil and enjoy with a few frozen chicken breast in oven. Complete meal done!

How Long to Cook Frozen Brussel Sprouts on Stove

Now let’s move on to a pan on your stovetop. You can use that too if you’d like. You’ll need a bit of water at the bottom of your pan to steam them essentially this way. Choose a pan with high sides and a lid.

• Add about 1/2″ of water into your pan
• Set it on medium high heat until it reaches a rolling boil
• Pour in veggies and put the lid on for about 3 minutes or until fork tender
• Most of liquid should be gone now, if not drain
• Add 2-3 tbsp olive oil and season as desired, coat
• Brown the outsides as you like and then serve!

Slow Cooker Method

It wouldn’t take any longer to make Crockpot brussel sprouts whether they started out as hard or fresh brussel sprouts really. The biggest difference is that in the bag like rocks you won’t be able to slice them in half. Typically though when you buy them bagged in the freezer section they are a bit smaller than fresh in the produce section.

SO that should even out as far as the cook time goes so the timing shouldn’t change. If you love the “old fashioned” method for everything go for this method that gets them fork tender every single time.

Ok so we are down to this method. How do you roast frozen brussel sprouts the old fashioned way? We all love oven roasted everything. Last but not least this is how you can make this nutritious vegetable delicious with some parmesan cheese (our fave). There is a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here is a quick rundown;

In the oven you are going to want to spread out in one layer on sheet pan and bake for approximately 20 minutes to 25 min., until they get to be nice and fork tender. Then carefully, remove from the oven and top with shredded parmesan cheese. Our preference is to go another step and broil for another 2-3 minutes, until they are lightly browned.

If you want to cook an entire meal at the same time, read how to cook a frozen roast in the oven too.

FAQ

No matter what cooking method you use make sure that you remove all the moisture you can. After rinsing, roll up in several paper towels to absorb the water. If you slice them, dry again. Then coating in olive oil will keep them moist AND crisp them up nicely too. The air fryer is your best option for an extra crispy exterior!

Yes, that is what we show you here. It is not suggested to try and cut frozen brussels in half as they will roll around and you are likely to cut yourself in the process. Instead just toss them whole in a bowl with olive oil and seasonings, and bake in the oven until fork tender in the center.

They can stay frozen for quite some time. The biggest sign that they need to be thrown out is freezer burn. If you open the bag and there is a ton of ice inside or they have turned from green to white in color.

You can do this with other veggies too. We share all the different ways here on our how to cook frozen green beans post as well. Make them all!

How do you save leftovers

If you have leftovers they save quite well until the next day, not really beyond that. I would suggest warming them up in your Ninja Foodi air fryer to fix the softened outside texture to a nice crisp again. Like I said, I am all about texture so there’s that. Alternatively you could slice them up and add into a different dish like a quiche.