Perfectly Charred Brussels Sprouts: How Long On The Bbq?

how long to cook brussels sprouts on bbq

Grilling Brussels sprouts is a great way to cook this versatile vegetable, which can be seasoned in a variety of ways. The grill gives them a nice smokiness and wakes up the flavours in the seasoning. There are several ways to grill Brussels sprouts, including skewering them, using a grill basket, or grilling them in a foil pack. The cooking time varies depending on the method, but it typically takes around 10-15 minutes to grill Brussels sprouts.

Characteristics Values
Prep time 5-15 minutes
Cook time 10-30 minutes
Ideal for Summer
Pre-cooking Yes
Pre-cooking methods Blanching, steaming, microwaving
Seasonings Olive oil, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt, lemon zest, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, thyme, balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, red pepper flakes
Add-ons Bacon, pancetta, ham, chestnuts, almonds, hazelnuts

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How to prepare brussels sprouts for the BBQ

Cleaning and Prepping the Sprouts

First, give your sprouts a good rinse to remove any debris. Trim the ends of the sprouts and remove any leaves that fall off during this process. Place the trimmed sprouts in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Drain in a colander and pat dry.

Blanching the Sprouts

Add the sprouts to a pot of boiling, salted water and cook for about 5 minutes. Drain well. Blanching the sprouts will ensure they are cooked through and will prevent them from falling apart on the grill.

Seasoning the Sprouts

Drizzle the blanched sprouts with olive oil and toss in a bowl with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and celery salt. You can also add other seasonings like chilli, lemon zest, or parmesan cheese to taste.

Grilling the Sprouts

There are several ways to grill your seasoned sprouts:

  • Skewers: Thread the sprouts onto metal skewers and place them directly on the grill. Grill for about 10-15 minutes, turning frequently, until the sprouts are tender and cooked through.
  • Grill Basket: Add the sprouts to a preheated grill basket and cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even browning.
  • Foil Packet: Create a foil packet by placing the sprouts on a large piece of foil and covering them with another sheet. Seal the edges and poke a few holes in the top to allow steam to escape. Place the packet directly on the grill and cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through.

Your Brussels sprouts are now ready to be enjoyed!

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How long to cook them for

How long to cook Brussels sprouts on a BBQ

Blanching or steaming

Brussels sprouts can be pre-cooked before grilling to ensure they are not raw or hard in the centre. This can be done by blanching or steaming them for 5 minutes, or by microwaving them with a couple of tablespoons of water for 3 minutes.

Grilling

Once pre-cooked, the sprouts are ready to be grilled. There are a few different methods for grilling Brussels sprouts:

  • Skewers: Thread the sprouts onto a skewer and place directly on the grill for 5 minutes on each side.
  • Grill basket: Place the sprouts in a preheated grill basket and cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket 1-2 times during cooking.
  • Foil: Create a small basket with heavy-duty foil, keeping the top open, and place directly on the grill for 8-10 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through.
  • Direct heat: Place a foil pack over direct heat on a preheated grill and grill for 20-25 minutes.
  • Indirect heat: Place the sprouts on the grill away from the heat source and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning frequently.

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What to serve them with

Grilled Brussels sprouts make a great side dish for a range of meals. Here are some ideas for what to serve them with.

Proteins

Brussels sprouts pair well with grilled proteins such as chicken, fish, and steak. You could also serve them with chicken sausages, honey mustard chicken, or salmon.

Carbohydrates

Brussels sprouts can be served with pasta, farro, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. For an extra indulgent option, you could make a roasted sprout gratin with bacon-cheese sauce.

Vegetables

As a vegetable side dish, Brussels sprouts can be served with other vegetables, such as grilled garlic fingerling potatoes, or roasted vegetables. They can also be added to a grain bowl or hearty fall salad.

Specific dish ideas

Some specific dish ideas that would go well with grilled Brussels sprouts include:

  • Ultimate Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Creamy Tahini Garlic Sauce
  • Baked or Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken
  • Seriously Good Sweet Potato Cheddar BBQ Chicken Burgers
  • Blackened Salmon Tacos with Forbidden Rice & Mango Guacamole
  • Greek Chicken Kabobs
  • Sticky, Sweet & Spicy Grilled Ginger Chicken
  • Cacio e Pepe Chicken
  • Oven-baked salmon
  • Grilled steak salad

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How to store leftovers

Leftover cooked Brussels sprouts can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. To do this, cut the sprouts into pieces or slices, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer the sprouts to a freezer bag or container. Frozen sprouts will maintain their quality for about a year.

When storing raw Brussels sprouts, it is best to keep them in the fridge, ideally around 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a plastic bag and the crisper drawer. Remove any yellowed or wilted outer leaves and keep them unwashed and untrimmed. If you bought sprouts on a stalk, keep them on the stalk until you're ready to cook them, as they will stay fresh longer this way.

Raw sprouts stored in the fridge will last at least five days and up to ten, but their taste will get stronger and less sweet over time. They are best when prepared within three to four days of purchase. If you want to prep your sprouts before storing them, trim, cut, or shred them no more than one to two days in advance, and be sure to use an airtight container.

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How to cook them in an oven

While grilling Brussels sprouts is a great way to add a smoky flavour to them, you can also cook them in an oven. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Preparation

First, clean the sprouts. Trim the ends without interfering with the leaves and remove any withered leaves from the bulb. Score the bottoms with a single cut. If your sprouts are large, halve or quarter them. If you want to avoid overcooking, you can also shred them.

Seasoning

Place the sprouts in a pot of boiling, salted water and cook for about 5 minutes. Then, drain the water and drizzle the sprouts with olive oil. Toss them with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and celery salt. You can also add other spices and seasonings, such as chili powder, cayenne pepper, rosemary, thyme, maple syrup, garlic, or cinnamon.

Cooking

Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. Transfer the seasoned sprouts to a parchment-lined baking sheet, arranging them in an even layer with their cut sides facing down. This will ensure you get nice browning on the cut sides, and the exposed leaves will become crisp. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until the sprouts are tender and golden brown around the edges.

Serving

You can serve the sprouts plain, simply seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Or, for a more flavourful option, dress them with balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, feta or Parmesan cheese, herbs, red pepper flakes, and nuts or pepitas.

Storage

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, place them in the microwave or toss them in a stovetop pan.

Frequently asked questions

It is recommended that you cook brussels sprouts on the BBQ for 10-15 minutes. If you are cooking them in a foil pack, this may take a little longer, around 20-25 minutes.

To ensure your brussels sprouts are cooked through, it is best to pre-cook them before placing them on the BBQ. You can do this by blanching them in boiling water for 5 minutes, steaming them, or microwaving them.

To prevent your brussels sprouts from becoming mushy, avoid cooking them in a sealed foil packet. This will create steam and cause the sprouts to steam rather than char and grill.

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