What do Brussels Sprouts taste like?

I'm thinking about giving brussels sprouts a try, I've seen tons of recipe ideas on MFP, but can some describe what they actually taste like? Would you compare it to the taste of cabbage maybe? Thanks!!
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Replies

  • zillah73
    zillah73 Posts: 505 Member
    I think they taste like cabbage. I'm not a huge fan but I don't mind them roasted.
  • ashleymcn01
    ashleymcn01 Posts: 108 Member
    Hmmm, I might get a couple from the store tomorrow and give them a try. My arsenal of vegetables is getting very boring and I'm ready to try something new. I do like cabbage, but raw, so I guess the only way to know is to try it!!
  • rluedtke
    rluedtke Posts: 32
    They taste a little sweeter than cabbage. I absolutely love them roasted or stir fried in ginger, garlic and soy. I also cut them in half before cooking them It might be a mental thing, but they taste better that way. I also don't cook them until their mushy, I keep them a little al dente as the flavor is slightly better.
  • AnninStPaul
    AnninStPaul Posts: 1,372 Member
    They taste a little sweeter than cabbage. I absolutely love them roasted or stir fried in ginger, garlic and soy. I also cut them in half before cooking them It might be a mental thing, but they taste better that way. I also don't cook them until their mushy, I keep them a little al dente as the flavor is slightly better.

    Agree -- and avoid frozen, they don't taste as good and they get mushy. you can also roast them in just some olive oil, or steam them.
  • ashleymcn01
    ashleymcn01 Posts: 108 Member
    They taste a little sweeter than cabbage. I absolutely love them roasted or stir fried in ginger, garlic and soy. I also cut them in half before cooking them It might be a mental thing, but they taste better that way. I also don't cook them until their mushy, I keep them a little al dente as the flavor is slightly better.


    Ohhh, that does sound good!!
  • Textmessage
    Textmessage Posts: 387 Member
    Like sprouts....from Brussels. >_>
  • ValerieMartini2Olives
    ValerieMartini2Olives Posts: 3,024 Member
    They have a taste of their own... I know that's not a very good answer, but I was "afraid" of Brussels sprouts for a long time and then one day I just tried them. They came with a butter sauce. They were delicious! I love them now.

    Just don't overcook them! When they're overcooked, they lose the really good flavor and become bitter.
  • ChristiCare
    ChristiCare Posts: 179 Member
    I steam the frozen ones with bacon bits, I like them a little softer, I love them but kinda forget about buying them, :)
  • longtimeterp
    longtimeterp Posts: 614 Member
    I steam the frozen ones with bacon bits, I like them a little softer, I love them but kinda forget about buying them, :)

    forget bacon bits...cook a few strips of bacon in the pan and then put the sprouts in with the bacon and bacon grease, add a little garlic...YUMMMMMMMMY!
  • NaomiJFoster
    NaomiJFoster Posts: 1,450 Member
    I've just started eating them recently. I don't love them yet. But they're very good. They have taste that belongs in the broccoli/cauliflower family. I just steam them in the microwave for 3 minutes, add 1/2 teaspoon of margerine, a drizzle of lemon juice, and some salt.

    They do things to my digestion that broccoli and cauliflower don't do. So I'm not having them more than once a week, at this point.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    I think they taste just like bacon. When they're wrapped in bacon, of course, which is the only way I can tolerate them.
  • algebravoodoo
    algebravoodoo Posts: 776 Member
    They taste a little sweeter than cabbage. I absolutely love them roasted or stir fried in ginger, garlic and soy. I also cut them in half before cooking them It might be a mental thing, but they taste better that way. I also don't cook them until their mushy, I keep them a little al dente as the flavor is slightly better.

    Agree -- and avoid frozen, they don't taste as good and they get mushy. you can also roast them in just some olive oil, or steam them.

    I found that frozen worked better when roasting them in the oven with olive oil, but fresh did better wrapped in a foil pouch on the grill.
  • honey_dew
    honey_dew Posts: 28
    Amazing-ness! I love them! They are so yummy. They kinda remind me of broccoli.
  • healthygreek
    healthygreek Posts: 2,137 Member
    Once you develope a taste for them they are absolutely addictive and so nutritious. I roast them with olive oil and garlic.
  • tedrickp
    tedrickp Posts: 1,229 Member
    I always found them a bit too bitter for my tastes and I love Cabbage. I find I can reduce the bitterness by quartering them and then cutting the "core" out as well. Super easy to do when they are quartered.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Heaven


    oh, you want more info? They taste like powerful little cabbages.

    If it's "your first time" Try Emerril's brussels, bacon and cheese recipe.
    But parboil them first.
  • skankamaggot
    skankamaggot Posts: 146 Member
    I love cabbage but hate brussels sprouts. I'm pretty open to all veggies, but I just couldn't get past them. I would still give them a shot though, you may love them.
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    They taste like cabbage or lettuce. They don't have a strong flavor - they basically taste like whatever you cook them with. The trick is to get them soft without making them mushy. If they are prepared well they are absolutely delicious!
  • triciab79
    triciab79 Posts: 1,713 Member
    Think of what it would taste like if broccoli and cabbage had a baby. They become sweeter when roasted and pair well with bacon, almonds and cranberries. I have also roasted them with watermelon radishes for color (radishes taste like cabbage when roasted. If you are looking to make them just think of any salty sweet element and it will probably pair well with them.
  • kobiemom
    kobiemom Posts: 218 Member
    Get fresh ones, if you can. They taste almost sweet. Frozen ones taste bitter to me. You can get a recipe for roasted brussel sprouts on any foodie site that won't be high calorie. They're good.
  • angelique_redhead
    angelique_redhead Posts: 782 Member
    I personally think they taste a lot like mini cabbages. I like them a lot.
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
    I think they taste like rage and hatred.
  • funkyspunky872
    funkyspunky872 Posts: 866 Member
    Heaven!
  • denezy
    denezy Posts: 573 Member
    I think they taste more like peas than cabbage. Roasting them gives a very different flavour though.
  • Missjulesdid
    Missjulesdid Posts: 1,444 Member
    Kind of like a cross between broccoli and Chinese cabbage. I like the very late autumn brussel sprouts the best because they are sweet.. if you get them when they are harvested before the first frost, then they can be a bit bitter.
  • KatieHall77
    KatieHall77 Posts: 129 Member
    When cooked in the oven, they have a nutty caramelized flavor. They have a slight cabbage flavor, but much more mild and sweet.
    Like others said, when they're boiled to no end, they become mushy and loose their personality. Roast them with olive oil and some s&p, they are very good sautéed with garlic and a little bacon fat too.
  • peasantsong
    peasantsong Posts: 107 Member
    I agree with previous posters that they almost kind of taste like broccoli. I cut the ends off, peel off the outer layers, cut them in half, and steam them for about 5 minutes. I love their flavor and they are definitely very filling!
  • Pimpmonkey
    Pimpmonkey Posts: 566
    Like awesomeness in a little package!!
  • cordianet
    cordianet Posts: 534 Member
    I steam the frozen ones with bacon bits, I like them a little softer, I love them but kinda forget about buying them, :)

    forget bacon bits...cook a few strips of bacon in the pan and then put the sprouts in with the bacon and bacon grease, add a little garlic...YUMMMMMMMMY!

    This * 1000! I love my Brussels Sprouts cooked with bacon and garlic. (Don't forget to pull the bacon out, crumble it up, and add it back in.) I've also found that I like them best if i steam them a bit before adding them to the garlic and bacon grease.
  • matt2442
    matt2442 Posts: 1,259 Member
    Okay now I've officially read everything on this site