Easy Pickled Brussels Sprouts Recipe | The Foodie Affair (2024)

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Try this easy pickled Brussels sprouts recipe at home ready in just a couple of days, or preserve for months and enjoy throughout the year. Eat these tangy, crunchy Brussels sprouts right out of the jar or serve on a charcuterie cheese board at your next gathering.

Easy Pickled Brussels Sprouts Recipe | The Foodie Affair (1)

Pickled Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Are you in the love or hate camp when it comes to Brussels sprouts? To be honest, it has only been about 5 years since I changed my tune from hate to love when eating Brussels sprouts.

I grew up eating what we called, “little cabbages” but I never liked them. I found the stench while cooking turned my stomach sour.

It wasn’t until I started experimenting with different ways to cook baby cabbages myself to appreciate how tasty Brussels sprouts are.

My favorite method is to roast all vegetables, including Brussels sprouts. I also like to steam them.

The dense nutty flavor is satisfying and pairs well with lots of main dishes.

In addition to the traditional way of serving Brussels sprouts, pickled is perfect to serve as an appetizer or just snack on (my personal favorite).

Easy Pickled Brussels Sprouts Recipe | The Foodie Affair (2)

How To Pickle Vegetables

I kept this recipe simple, so hopefully you don’t need to run to the store for any ingredients. As noted below I use black peppercorn, mustard seeds, bay leaves, garlic and red pepper flakes for pickled spices.

However, feel free to add additional spices to change the flavor profile to include a few more spices.

Additional spices to consider; dill seeds, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, allspice berries and cloves.

In addition, this same recipe can be used to pickle a variety of vegetables like carrots, green beans, asparagus, cucumbers, onions, beets. The list is endless!

Let me know if you try any additional spices. I’m always experimenting with what I have on hand.

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Pickled Spice Ingredients:

  • Brussels sprouts – You will need about 1 – 1 1/2 pounds or about 20-24 similar sized Brussels sprouts.
  • White vinegar and water – You can use cider vinegar or a mix of vinegars. Note that cider vinegar will give you a tint of amber color.
  • Kosher salt
  • Peppercorns
  • Mustard seeds
  • Bay leaves
  • Garlic cloves – the fresher the better!
  • Red Pepper flakes – double up the amount if you like an extra heat. The amount in the recipe adds flavor, not heat.

Equipment needed:

  • Steamer
  • Mason jar (24 ounce) – I use one large jar, but this can easily be divided into smaller jars. Make sure the mouth is wide to fit the Brussels sprouts.
  • Small saucepan
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Steps To Make Pickled Brussels Sprouts

Once you make this recipes and taste how delicious pickled brussels sprouts are you are going to be inspired to pickle all types of vegetables.

Step 1 – Clean and Slice

The first step is to prepare the brussels sprouts by washing them and removing any loose or bruised leaves.

Once you have clean sprouts, cut the core leaving about 1/4 inch to ensure the whole head does not fall apart.

Then slice the brussels sprouts in half.

Alternatively, you could leave the spouts whole. I find it easier to eat right out of the jar when they are in smaller bite size pieces.

Also, the brine penetrates through the sprouts easier when they are cut, which lets you enjoy these babies in just 24 hours.

  • Easy Pickled Brussels Sprouts Recipe | The Foodie Affair (5)
  • Easy Pickled Brussels Sprouts Recipe | The Foodie Affair (6)

Step 2 – Steam

Now that the Brussels sprouts have been prepared it is time to cook them, just slightly so that the texture remains crunchy.

As I mentioned, my favorite way to cook and eat Brussels sprouts is roasted or lightly braised similar to my maple glazed Brussels sprouts recipe.

Another common way to cook Brussels sprouts is to boil them, which I find emits the most awful sulfur smell that penetrates throughout the house.

For this recipe I steam the Brussel sprouts for just 10 minutes, and I didn’t notice an offensive smell. WIN!

Once the Brussel sprouts are cooked, plunge them in cold water to stop the cooking process.

Easy Pickled Brussels Sprouts Recipe | The Foodie Affair (7)

Step 3 – Simmer Vinegar Mix

In a separate small sauce pan bring the vinegar, water, and kosher salt to a soft boil just until the salt dissolves. Set aside.

Step 4 – Add Pickled Spices

Now you want to add the remaining spices to the Mason jar.

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Step 5 – Add Sprouts

Next, add the prepared Brussels Sprouts to the Mason jar(s).

Easy Pickled Brussels Sprouts Recipe | The Foodie Affair (9)

Step 6 – Add Warm Vinegar

Top pickled Brussels sprouts with warm vinegar-water-salt solution.

Use a long thin tool like a plastic chopstick to poke around the jar giving room for all the sprouts to get immersed in the vinegar mix.

Cover and refrigerate. Let the flavors develop for at least a day before enjoying.

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How To Store Pickled Brussels Sprouts

Keep pickled Brussels Sprouts in a covered jar. Pickled vegetables will last refrigerated for 5-6 months.

Canning Brussel Sprouts

To preserve pickled Brussels sprouts, I recommend the water bath canning method. You can follow step by step instructions at The Spruce Eats.

Properly preserved Brussels sprouts stored in a cool dark place will last for up to two years.

Did You Miss the Sugar In The Recipe?

No. I purposely did not add any sugar to the pickled Brussels sprouts recipe. I like the tart flavor and added a little more water to cut the sharp flavor.

However, if you would like to experiment by adding sugar to sweeten the flavor profile, then add it to the saucepan.

Simmer until it dissolves with the other ingredients.

Let me know if you added sugar and how much you used!

Easy Pickled Brussels Sprouts Recipe | The Foodie Affair (11)

More Brussels Sprouts Recipes To Try

Love this recipe? Be sure to check out these dishes too!

Easy Pickled Brussels Sprouts Recipe | The Foodie Affair (12)

Easy Pickled Brussels Sprouts Recipe | The Foodie Affair (13)

Easy Pickled Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Tangy crunchy pickled Brussels sprouts with spices that are commonly found in your kitchen. This easy recipe steams then preserves the Brussels sprouts in a vinegar brine mix. Perfect addition to a charcuterie board.

4.50 from 6 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: appetizer, brine, brussels sprouts, canning, keto, low carb, pickled, vegetables

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Additional Time: 1 day day

Total Time: 1 day day 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 ounces

Calories: 3kcal

Author: Sandra Sandra

Ingredients

  • 1 – 1 1/2 pounds about 20-24 Brussels sprouts
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 4 garlic cloves sliced
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Wash Brussels sprouts under cool water and let drain in a colander.

  • Remove loose leaves and any bruised leaves.

  • Cut core 1/4" from bottom of each sprout.

  • In a medium size pan with a steamer insert bring about 1" of water to a boil.

  • Place Brussels sprouts in pan, cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Steam for 10 minutes.

  • Rinse hot Brussels sprouts under cold water or plunge in an ice bath. Drain well.

  • In a small sauce pan over medium heat add vinegar, water and Kosher salt. Bring to a rolling soft boil just until the salt dissolves. Remove from heat.

  • In a clean 24 ounce Mason jar add peppercorns, mustard, sliced garlic, bay leaves and red pepper.

  • Add prepared Brussels sprouts to the Mason jar leaving about 3/4" room from the top of the jar.

  • Fill jar with vinegar brine solution. Cover and refrigerate.

  • Enjoy after 24 hours or let sit for several days for the flavors to penetrate longer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Sprout | Calories: 3kcal | Sodium: 177mg

Disclaimer

Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.

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FAQs

Easy Pickled Brussels Sprouts Recipe | The Foodie Affair? ›

In a clean 24 ounce Mason jar add peppercorns, mustard, sliced garlic, bay leaves and red pepper. Add prepared Brussels sprouts to the Mason jar leaving about 3/4" room from the top of the jar. Fill jar with vinegar brine solution. Cover and refrigerate.

What is the 321 method of pickling? ›

An easy pickling recipe to follow is the 3-2-1 method; three parts water, two parts vinegar, and one part sugar. This 3-2-1 pickle brine is on the sweeter side, making it great for bread and butter pickles or spicy pickled beets. For a more savory pickle, use less sugar.

What is the basic pickling formula? ›

The classic ratio is super easy to remember and is easily scale-able depending on how many pickles you're making. It's 100% vinegar, 50% water, 25% sugar and 12.5% kosher salt by weight. So for example, 200g vinegar, 100g water, 50g sugar and 25g kosher salt (again, you can scale this up or down!).

What causes bitterness in Brussels sprouts? ›

The bitter taste of Brussels sprouts comes from compounds called glucosinolates and their degradation products, he explains. These bitter tasting compounds are an important part of the plant's defence mechanism against leaf-eating enemies, such as insects, nematodes, slugs, and herbivores, like pigeons and deer.

What is the best ratio of vinegar to water for pickling? ›

The basic ratio for quick pickles is 1:1 vinegar to water, and includes some combination of salt and sugar. Another ratio that is commonly followed is the 3:2:1 method, using three parts vinegar, two parts water, and 1 part sugar.

Which is the best vinegar for pickling? ›

Most pickle recipes call for distilled white vinegar. This is the clear, colorless vinegar made by fermenting grains. It has a mellow aroma, tart acid flavor and does not affect the color of light-colored vegetables or fruits.

Why do you boil water and vinegar when pickling? ›

There are two big reasons to boil the water in this scenario: Hot water dissolves salt, sugar and other things better than cold water. Sterilization. We sometimes want to make sure that there is nothing alive that shouldn't be.

What are the two main ingredients needed to pickle something? ›

For quick pickles, a basic brine is equal parts vinegar and water, but you can adjust the ratio to your preference. Any basic vinegar is game — white vinegar, apple cider, white wine, and rice vinegar all work well. You can use these vinegars alone or in combination.

How much sugar to use in pickling? ›

You should use no more than 1/4 cup of sugar in your pickling solution. White granulated sugar is most commonly used. Brown sugar adds good flavor but can turn light-colored fruits and vegetables darker. Syrup or honey can poorly affect the taste of your solution.

Can you use regular vinegar for pickling? ›

The base for pickling vinegars is often white vinegar but it can also be cider vinegar, malt vinegar, or wine vinegar. These vinegars vary in flavour and acidity to allow you to subtly alter the taste of your pickles. Vinegar, or acetic acid, is the base of most pickle recipes.

What gives Brussels sprouts a better taste? ›

In the late 1990s scientists identified specific chemicals, called glucosinolates, that made Brussels sprouts taste bitter. Plant breeders started growing old seeds, previously discarded for producing paltry harvests, to identify tastier versions with lower levels of these compounds.

Why do so many people not like Brussels sprouts? ›

"People with certain genetic variants in the TAS2R38 gene can detect bitter taste more than others and therefore may be more likely to dislike sprouts,” 23andMe senior product scientist Alisa Lehman recently told the Daily Record. "There are many factors outside genetics that play a part in the foods we like.

How do you make brussel sprouts less sour? ›

The flavor components that contribute to a bitter flavor are concentrated in the center of the brussels sprout. If you slice the the veggie in half, it helps to release some of those compounds during the cooking process. Smaller is better when it comes to tenderness and flavor.

Is white vinegar or apple cider vinegar better for pickling? ›

Cooking uses: Apple cider vinegar and white vinegar are both popular ingredient choices for salad dressings, vinaigrettes, marinades, or seasonings for veggies like beets. White vinegar is clearer and more acidic, making it a better choice for pickling vegetables.

How much salt to use when pickling? ›

In it, Smith writes that the correct amount of salt to add to vegetables when pickling is 0.035 by weight. So, for example, if you are pickling 1kg of a vegetable, you would use 35 grams of salt.

How to pickle quickly? ›

All-Purpose Quick Pickling Brine

Add your washed and sliced produce, packing the jar tightly. In a medium saucepan, bring the water, vinegar, salt and sugar to a boil. Remove from heat and carefully pour into pickling jar until all contents are submerged. Close the lid on the jar tightly.

What is the temperature for 321 method? ›

What temp for 321 ribs? For your smoking temperature, set your smoker at around 225°F to 250°F. For your internal temperature make sure that your ribs hit 200°F. What are the best sauces and rubs for 321 ribs? Choosing a sauce and a rub entirely depends on your pallette.

What is the best method of pickling? ›

Pickling is most often accomplished by canning produce in a vinegar-brine, most often using the water bath canning method, or by wild fermentation, using fermentation equipment like a pickling crock or a fermentation kit like the Perfect Pickler.

What are the 4 types of pickling? ›

There are four general methods for pickling: quick, salt-brined, vinegar-brined and fermented. Within those basic pickling techniques, there exist many variations to pickle different vegetables and fruits and to make relishes and chutneys.

What is the ratio of 9 5 3 1 pickling? ›

My pickling liquid is a 9 to 5 to 3 to one ratio. I also converted into cups for you guys. So 9 rice vinegar, 5 water, 3 sugar, one salt. You can also add spices, but I'm showing you the simple version right now.

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