Brussels sprouts, also known as cabbages or broccoli rabe, are one of those vegetables you either love or hate.
They are crunchy and delicious but not everyone has an easy time with them.
If this sounds like something you might have trouble doing, here’s how to make longhorn brussel sprouts so that they’re easier on your palate.
What Is The Cooking Time For Longhorn Brussel Sprouts?
The cooking time will vary depending on what variety of longhorn brussel sprout you use.
Generally speaking, it takes about 20 minutes from start to finish for most varieties.
The smaller types take less time than the larger ones.
Make sure you check out our guide to different brussel sprout varieties for more information.
What Is The Temperature That The Longhorn Brussel Sprouts Should Be Cooked At?
Depending on which type you choose, you’ll want to cook them at around 400-425 degrees Fahrenheit (204-218 degrees Celsius).
This helps the plant enzymes break down the tough outer layer of the vegetable while keeping the core tender.
You can tell if they’ve reached the right stage by looking closely at their leaves.
When they reach this point, they should look slightly wilted but still intact.
If you find that they were undercooked, simply add another 5-10 minutes onto the total cooking time.
What Is The Best Way To Cook Longhorn Brussel Sprouts?
There are two main ways to cook these little guys — in the oven and stovetop.
Cooking them in the oven is great because it gives you full control over the process.
However, if you prefer using a pan on the stove, we recommend using cast iron.
Cast iron retains heat better than other materials and creates a nice sear on the surface of the brussel sprouts.
You can bake them whole or halve them first before placing them into the oven.
Either way works fine.
To do this, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add the cut side up, then place the brussel sprouts on top.
Bake until the tops are browned, 15-20 minutes.
Alternatively, you could boil them in salted water with fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary.
This method gives you a bit more flexibility since you can adjust the timing based on how big the brussel sprouts are.
For example, you may need to reduce the boiling time if they’re large.
Otherwise, they’ll end up overcooked.
Here’s an even simpler option.
Bring 1 gallon of water to a boil, then drop in 4 tablespoons of salt per quart of water.
Once the water comes back to a boil, remove the pot from the burner and add the brussel sprouts.
Reduce the heat to medium low and cover.
Cook for 10 minutes and serve immediately.
What Are Some Tips For Cooking Longhorn Brussel Sprouts?
It goes without saying that you shouldn’t wash brussel sprouts until after cutting them.
Otherwise, all the nutrients will fall off.
Instead, just rinse them well under cold running water.
And once you’ve finished eating, toss away any remaining stem ends.
Doing this ensures that no dirt remains behind.
You should also know that the flavor of brussel sprouts improves as they age.
So, if possible, buy them at least three days before making the recipe.
In addition, store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator overnight.
They’ll absorb much of the moisture and keep longer.
Finally, make sure you trim the roots of your brussel sprouts.
These tend to grow quite long and can cause the sprouts to become bitter.
Just slice off the bottom 2 inches (5 centimeters) to avoid this problem.
What Are Some Common Mistakes People Make When Cooking Longhorn Brussel Sprouts?
One mistake people often make is trying to cook too many brussel sprouts at once.
While it is true that cooking multiple pieces simultaneously reduces the amount of time needed, there isn’t really enough room for each piece to cook properly.
Therefore, it’s best to stick with one part per person.
Another mistake is adding garlic to the brussel sprouts.
Garlic is very powerful and can overpower the delicate flavors of the brussel sprouts.
So unless you absolutely must include it, skip it altogether.
How Can I Make Sure My Longhorn Brussel Sprouts Are Cooked Evenly?
To ensure that every brussel sprout gets the same treatment, make sure to rotate them regularly during the cooking process.
Ideally, turn them halfway through.
Also, always remember to give them ample space between them.
Brussel sprouts are fairly small, so try to stagger them as far apart as possible.
How Can I Make Sure My Longhorn Brussel Sprouts Don’t Get Mushy?
As mentioned above, brussel sprouts taste best when aged.
But aging doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve been sitting around waiting for you to eat them.
Rather, it means that they’ve had plenty of time to mellow out.
As such, they’re going to be tougher than their younger counterparts.
In order to soften them up, you can blanch them briefly in simmering water.
Afterward, drain them thoroughly and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
Then pop them into the fridge for 3 hours or overnight.
Or, you can steam them instead.
Simply bring a saucepan filled with water to a rolling boil and add the brussel sprouts.
Boil for exactly five minutes and then drain and let cool.
They’ll retain much of their crispness and won’t lose their texture.
Have questions about cooking longhorn brussel sprouts yourself?
Here are some additional recipes we think you’ll enjoy!
Longhorn Brussel Sprout Sliders with Honey Mustard Sauce
Honey Mustard Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Broccoli Rabe Pasta Salad With Pesto Vinaigrette
Green Beans Almondine Sauce
Chocolate Chip Cake
Equipment
- 1 Pot
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Brussel Sprouts
- ½ cup butter
- 2 tbsp Calabrian Chili Rub
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ⅓ cup honey
- Oil
- Salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Wash the broccoli
- Water should be heated to a rolling boil before blanching for 4 minutes.
- Drain excess water before removing from the water.
- Sea salt, sugar, honey, and chilli rub should all be combined.
- Drain the extra fat after quickly frying the Brussels sprouts.
- Combine the other mixture with melted butter.
- Douse the brussel sprouts in the liquid.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.