I’m an ambassador for Brussels sprouts and I think that Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts prove how good they really are.
It turns out that roasted Brussels sprouts taste absolutely wonderful in a sticky, spicy sweet Kung Pao sauce, served over rice (or Cauliflower Rice as in this Cauliflower Fried Rice for a keto / low carb option) and crowned with a generous handful of salty, roasted peanuts. Or skip the rice and serve as a side dish to something like Grilled Tuna Steaks or other Asian inspired main course.
Try this recipe and you may, even if you’ve always thought you hated them, find that you’re a Brussels sprouts lover too.
How to fall in love with Brussels sprouts
Is there a more maligned and misunderstood vegetable? When I hear someone say how much they hate Brussels sprouts, I always picture them biting into a boiled, skunky, squishy, waterlogged tiny cabbage and thinking, “Well these are terrible.” So I’ll admit that to be a BS lover (that’s Brussels sprouts lover, of course), there are two rules: one, do not boil them; two, cook them every other way or eat them thinly sliced and raw.
Want some suggestions that might surprise you? If you’re a Caesar Salad lover, this Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad, in Brussels Sprouts Sauerkraut, in Sweet Potato Hash and Corned Beef Hash or in place of the traditional chicken in these Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts.
How to Make Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts
Step 1: Get your rice going so that it’s hot and ready to serve when your Brussels sprouts are ready to serve. (A rice cooker is ideal here because it will keep your rice warm until the rest of the meal is ready.)
Step 2: Toss your halved Brussels sprouts in peanut oil and roast on a parchment lined baking sheet until they’re tender with some crispy edges, tossing once during cooking.
Step 3: Meanwhile, make the sticky sweet and spicy kung pao sauce. First sauté the garlic and ginger in a little peanut oil until fragrant. Then stir in the chili paste, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar and a little water and thicken it at the end with a slurry of cornstarch and water.
Step 4: To serve, toss the hot out of the oven Brussels sprouts with sauce, pile over hot rice, and finish with a shower of salty, crunchy peanuts.
Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice I used brown basmati
- 2 pounds Brussels sprouts halved
- 3 tablespoons peanut oil divided, or other sesame oil
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon hot chili paste such as sambal oelek
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup roasted and salted peanuts
- red pepper flakes to taste
Instructions
- Cook rice according to package directions. (You’ll want it to be cooked and hot at the same time that you’re ready to serve the Brussels sprouts.)
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, toss Brussels sprouts with 2 tablespoons of the peanut oil and spread in a single layer on prepared baking sheet; season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast 20 minutes, until tender with crispy edges, stirring once about half way through roasting time.
- Meanwhile, whisk together cornstarch and 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl until smooth.
- Heat remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger; cook and stir until garlic is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add chili paste, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar and 1/4 cup water and bring to a boil; stir in cornstarch mixture. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly until sauce has thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- When Brussels sprouts are done, transfer to medium bowl. Pour sauce over and toss to coat. Transfer to serving platter or divide among 4 bowls. Sprinkle with peanuts and red pepper flakes (optional); serve with hot cooked rice.
Notes
- For a vegan version, skip the honey and use sugar or other sweetener instead.
My kids don’t like brussels sprouts but they love Kung Pao chicken. So hopefully, they will like this roasted version with yummy sauce. Looks lovely.
Thank you, Holly! I hope it’s a hit.
This one amazing dish, Marissa! Yep – I’m a fan of Brussels sprouts, and you have upped their game! Love it!
Thanks so much, Annie!
Such a delicious preparation for brussles sprouts. We love them roasted and I’m certain with all of these added flavors, they’ll be even more amazing. 🙂 ~Valentina
Thanks so much, Valentina!
I’m already in love with Brussels sprouts Marissa and I know I’d love this flavor! Can’t wait to give your recipe a try!
Fantastic! Thank you, Mary Ann.
We had this last night and it was a huge hit with my family, Marissa! The flavors of the sticky sauce were so perfect; My husband is not very tolerant of hot spicy foods, so I did only add 1 teaspoon of the sambal and then my son and I added more to our individual dishes. We also added a red bell pepper during the last 10 minutes of roasting the sprouts, because we needed to use them and that was another fresh addition. The only complaint at the table was they wished there was even more sticky sauce so next time I might double the sauce and serve the extra at the table. As with many of your recipes, this was a winner!
This is wonderful to hear, Sally! I’m so glad that you and your family enjoyed this and that you added your own twists. Thank you for your detailed cooking notes too!
Such magnificent flavors paired with your BS! I’m going to air fry mine tomorrow (fingers crossed they’re edible!), but have almost everything on hand to make your Kung Pao recipe. They sound fabulous!
Thank you, Liz! I hope you’ll enjoy them.
Such a fun way to eat some brussels sprouts, Marissa! Yum! I have been eating a ton of sprouts these days, much to my childrens’ chagrin…they may actually enjoy these ones though! 🙂
Thanks so much, Katherine! May be worth a try… 😉
I 100% agree with you about roasted Brussels – truthfully they are one of my favorite veggies! And whole Brussels in a brothy soup is another great way to eat them. We roast Brussels on a regular rotation around here, and next time I want to try ’em with this Kung Pao sauce. What a great idea!
Thanks, David! I haven’t tossed them into soup before, but I’ll have to give it a try.
From one BS ambassador to another, these look amazing! And if all Brussels Sprouts were prepared like this, they would be loved by all!
haha! Thanks, Sonali…
I adore Brussels sprouts – but I’ve never had them so well seasoned – this sounds phenomenal – wow – this would make the humble Brussels sprout totally addicting! Thanks Marissa!
Thanks so much, Shashi! I hope you’ll give them a try.
I’m Team Brussel Sprouts!! I love love LOVE them. But then again, I have never experienced soggy boiled ones 🙂 Only ones like yours, crisp golden brown or shaved (I love them shaved!) And Kung Pao? GOLD!! 🙂
Woohoo! Thanks so much, Nagi.
I’m a brussels sprout lover also!! THEY are SO underrated…it’s sad. Love this kung pao BS recipe!
Thanks, Joanne! xo
yes, would go great with sauerkraut. i love kung pao anything and this really takes the “cake”
Thanks, Kelsey!:)
I am in the, brussels sprouts lover camp – for sure! But this recipe, my goodness, the flavors! You’ve taken this already wonderful veggie and really elevated it to something quite spectacular! Ba-ra-vo!
Thanks so much, Kathleen! xo
Marissa, I LOVE this recipe!!! Kung Pao brussels sprouts is brilliant!!! love me some hot chili paste and can’t wait to try this!!! Happy friday!
Thank you, Alice! 🙂
OK, so these are getting PINNED!
Great timing, too … I just bought some brussels and was wondering what to do with them!
Oh wow, love it Helen! Thank you.
I LOVE brussels sprouts. Love love love! I always have at least a pound in my fridge, so I’m always looks for new ways to cook them. I think spiciness is just what I need!!
Perfect! Thanks, Nicole.
Fantastic way of serving up these beauties! Always looking for new ways to enjoy Brussels Sprouts.
Me too, Kevin. 🙂 Thanks!
I’m also a Brussels sprouts ambassador :). They are my fave! I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Thanks, Laura!
This is such a great idea! I adore roasted Brussels, especially when they’re packed full of flavour like these are 🙂
Thank you!
I love them too but I wasn’t fed them as a child so I don’t have any bad memories of them although I can see how bad they could have gotten if they were boiled mush! 🙂 I’m a big BS (Brussels sprout) lover now 😀
haha 😉 Thanks, Lorraine!
I’m a brussels sprouts lover, too! And believe it or not, my husband and kids love them! I definitely need to make this soon!
That’s so cool that your kids love them too!
I’m from the brussels sprouts’ lovers camp 🙂 Love the way you cooked them Marissa, definitely trying the recipe:)
Thank you, Mira. I think you’ll really like them…
Add me to your ambassadors’ list, your recipe just opened my eyes!
Thanks, Lily! 🙂
I think this is a brilliant idea. I didn’t know brussels sprouts needed an ambassador or even TWO ambassadors but it’s a great way to let people know how good they can be when cooked with cleverness like this.
Thank you, Maureen!
I too am an ambassador for them! Never liked them much until a few years back when I had them roasted at a restaurant and they changed my life!
Roasting them is the best – they really have so much flavor!