Name: Smashed Brussel Sprouts
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 2 Pounds Brussels Sprouts; 1/2 Cup Olive Oil; 3 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar; 3 Garlic Cloves (minced); 1 1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt; 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper; 1 Large Leek (white and pale green parts only, washed well and thinly sliced); 1/2 Cup Parmesan (grated)

This smashed brussel sprouts recipe is here to change the game on the veggie everyone loves to hate!

This cheesy, decadent dish makes other low carb side dishes green with envy because it’s the PERFECT potato substitute. If you’re tired of cauliflower everything like mashed cauliflower, cauliflower stuffing, and loaded cauliflower casserole, then this one is for you!

Our family loves these brussels so much, I always make a double batch so we can snack on them throughout the workweek. Now how often can you say that about a veggie?!

Let’s bake!

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Why It’s Great!

Tips + Facts

Recipe Variations

Similar Recipes

What I Love About This Smashed Brussel Sprouts Recipe

Everything about this smashed brussel sprouts recipe is amazing, especially that:

It takes a well-known but less trusted veggie and makes it the delicious star!
5 ingredients, plus a few basic spices, and you are done!
Ready in under an hour!

Tips + Facts

How to prepare brussel sprouts is typically a 2 step process: some sort of steam, then a bake/broil to crisp and make them super delicious! Here are a few other tips to share:

Steaming the brussels in a pot with water is my preferred way to get them nice and soft. If you buy frozen, or brussels in a microwave-safe plastic bag, you can microwave them as well. The goal here is to get them soft enough to smash with a little pressure.
Smashed device – the bottom of a glass, mason jar, or bowl will work — you just want something flat and wide.
Wash your leeks WELL! These guys are grown in sandy soil, so this is important. Slice and allow them to chill in a bowl of water, this will allow the soil to fall to the bottom of your bowl.
Extra crispy – make this easy brussel sprouts recipe even crispier by broiling them at the end of their bake.

Best Ingredients To Use & Why

Brussel sprouts – I prefer fresh.
Leeks – you can skip these to save some carbs, although they add SO.MUCH.FLAVOR!

Reheating Brussel Sprouts

You can store this smashed brussel sprouts recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to heat them up, just pop them back onto a tray in the oven or toaster oven for maximum crispiness.

In a pinch, you can use the microwave instead.

Can You Freeze Them?

You certainly can!

How to freeze brussel sprouts: Store in a freezer bag, or in an airtight container to better protect their shape if your freezer is full. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge, then heat in the toaster oven, or oven.

Serving Recommendations

Serve these smashed brussel sprouts with any dinner! It goes great with meats, pasta, and soups. Some of my favorite dishes to pair this with include stuffed chicken parmesan and mozzarella stuffed chicken.

Recipe Variations

Want to add your own spin? Here are a few ways:

Add bacon or pancetta to the mix, just be sure to crisp first.
Try a different veggie. Note: not all veggies will smash the same, however, this recipe will also work with potatoes, cauliflower florets, or turnips.
Try a different kind of cheese. Make these cheesy brussel sprouts with whatever you prefer. Just know before swapping that parmesan will crisp up more than most cheeses.

More Veggie Side Dishes

Veggie side dishes the family actually enjoys? Seriously, is there anything more hilarious than an argument for the last scoop of greens??

That’s what I call winning. Here are a few more recipes that are that good: