Freezing Brussel Sprouts - Sustainable Cooks

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Freezing Brussel Sprouts

By Sarah Cook

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Apr 26, 2022, Updated Jun 11, 2025

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Learn all the tips and tricks for freezing brussel sprouts to save a ton of time and money. Learning how to freeze brussel sprouts is a great way to preserve this versatile crop without needing any special equipment.

a blue reusable silicone bag full of frozen brussel sprouts.

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Do you love brussels sprouts but don’t have the time to properly prepare them during the week? Creating your own freezer stash of ready to cook frozen brussels is an edible insurance policy for fast and tasty side dishes.

And if brussels sprouts aren’t your jam, consider adding cheese to them. Check out our gluten-free cheese sauce for the easiest cheese sauce ever!

Can You Freeze Fresh Brussels Sprouts Without Blanching?

Yes (and also no). It depends on how quickly you’d like to use them. If you plan to use the frozen sprouts within a few weeks, there is no need to blanch them first.

Unblanched brussels will be mealy and grainy when defrosted or cooked. Thankfully, blanching is an easy process and will take you less than 10 minutes.

2 photos showing the process of blanching fresh brussel sprouts

How to Reheat Frozen Brussels Sprouts

In most cases, you can cook the sprouts directly from the freezer. My favorite way to use frozen brussels is to roast them. You can read more about it in this guide on how to roast frozen vegetables.

Preheat the skillet you’re using (or the air fryer) to make sure that the frozen sprouts start cooking as soon as they hit the skillet/air fryer basket. This will roast them instead of steaming them while they slowly heat up in a cold oven/air fryer.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

There is no need to thaw the frozen brussels sprouts before cooking them.
Freeze in portions you plan to use upon defrosting. Quart freezer bags will replace a 15 oz bag from the store.
Frozen brussels sprouts will last in a conventional freezer for six months. If you have a deep freeze/stand-alone freezer, you’re safe to keep them in there for up to a year.

a tray with parchment covered in frozen brussel sprouts.

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Freezing Brussels Sprouts

By: Sarah CookServings: 4 Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 4 minutes Freezing Time: 3 hours Total: 3 hours 19 minutes

Learning how to freeze brussels sprouts is a great way to preserve this versatile crop without needing any special equipment.

Equipment

Cutting Board
Knife
Mixing bowl
Baking sheet
Dutch oven
Fine mesh strainer
Parchment or Silpat
ZipTop
Steamer Basket

Ingredients 1x2x3x

▢ brussels sprouts {choose tender smaller to sprouts if possible}
▢ ice

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Brussels Sprouts

Cut the sprouts from the stalk and then cut root end off. brussels sprouts
{optional}: If the sprouts are large, cut in half or quarters.

Blanching the Brussels Sprouts

Fill a medium mixing bowl with cold water and ice. Set aside.ice
Fill a saucepan halfway with water and bring to a boil.
Add the brussels sprouts.
When the water has come back to a roiling boil, set the timer.3 min – small sprouts4 min – medium sprouts5 minutes – large sprouts
Transfer cooked sprouts with a slotted spoon to the ice water. Allow them to sit for 3-5 minutes, and then drain into a strainer.

How to Freeze Brussels Sprouts

Add a piece of parchment paper to a rimmed baking sheet. Place the sprouts on the parchment, ensuring they're not touching each other.
Freeze for 3 hours.
Break apart any clumps that have formed on the baking sheet and transfer the brussel sprouts to freezer-proof storage.