It's a bit of a mystery how Brussels sprouts became one of the go-to veggies on the Thanksgiving menu - after all, they likely originated in ancient Rome, not the early Americas. We're thankful that they did, though, and because fall is their true growing season, making them as welcome at our national harvest celebration as the more traditional corn and squashes.
You may have remembered the awesome grilled veggie tacos we posted over the summer featuring fresh veggies and herbs all from my local Food Lion. Well this fall I'm excited to see the continued abundance of affordably priced, fresh, seasonal vegetables, fruits and herbs (with plenty of organic options) available at Food Lion. It got me inspired thinking about exciting new takes on traditional Thanksgiving sides, especially the Brussels sprouts!
It's not as hard to see why these mini-cabbages became practically the candy of the vegetable world - somewhere along the way, someone figured out that roasting brings out their best. A full pan of these roasted beauties, with their warm, sweet flavor, will disappear quickly - they're downright addictive!
For those who aren't as crazy about kale as everyone else seems to be, Brussels sprouts, a cousin from the cruciferous vegetable family, is an appealing alternative. Packed with vitamins (especially K and C), minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, you'd do well to add them to your weekly repertoire all throughout the fall.
In this delectable dish, the Brussels sprouts are coated with a sweet apple cider glaze, with a hint of maple syrup and mustard. The optional pomegranate gives the dish a pop of color that's really festive. This recipe makes a company-sized helping as a side dish. For everyday meals, it's easy to cut the amount of all the ingredients in half.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Brussels sprouts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch, or arrowroot
- 1 cup fresh apple cider
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Seeds from ¼ to ½ pomegranate, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400º F.
- Trim the ends from the Brussels sprouts. Cut larger ones in half; leave small ones whole. Remove and discard any discolored leaves.
- Line a roasting pan with baking parchment. Arrange the Brussels sprouts in a single layer and drizzle the olive oil evenly over them. Place the roasting pan in the oven.
- Start the glaze at once. Dissolve the cornstarch in a little of the cider.
- Heat the cider in a small saucepan. When it comes to a gentle simmer, whisk in the dissolved cornstarch and cook just until thickened.
- Remove from the heat and whisk in the maple syrup and mustard.
- Remove the roasting pan from the oven and pour the glaze over the Brussels sprouts, stirring continually — the nooks and crevices will absorb more than you’d expect!
- Return the sprouts to the oven and continue to roast for 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until touched with brown spots here and there.
- Season with salt and pepper while still in the pan, then transfer to a serving dish.
- If using pomegranate seeds for garnish, scatter over the top. Serve at once, or cover and keep warm until needed.
Notes
Nutrition (estimated per serving)
Check out more great Thanksgiving recipes on Food Lion's Recipe page.
Leave a comment telling me what your favorite fresh take on a Thanksgiving recipe and you will be entered to win a $100 Food Lion Gift Card!
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S says
I love Brussels sprouts! Usually use bacon, brown sugar, and balsamic and roast them until they are extra crispy and buttery, this sounds good too!!
David says
Green Beans with Peppers and Onion.
Rebecca says
First: this recipe looks delicious, and I will have to try it this Thanksgiving.
Second: a similar dish with roasted brussel sprouts, butternut squash coated in maple syrup and cinnamon and then roasted, all tossed together with pecans and dried cranberries has become one of my Thanksgiving favorites.
Kathryn Edley says
Bourbon and maple glazed seeet potatoes
Jillyg says
This recipe sounds amazing!! My favorite that I make is a knock-off to the Sweet Potato Casserole from Ruth's Chris........side dish/dessert, it's that flexible 🙂
Hannah Box says
My favorite is sweet potatoes with brown sugar and marshmallow topping <3
Leslie says
My favorite is Mashed Potatoes 🙂
Marlene Sorenson says
Garlic mashed potatoes!! Preferably with skins 🙂
Zeb says
I love Brussels sprouts, but it's not Thanksgiving without green bean casserole!
Tonya Atkinson says
My fresh take on collard greens is to use smoked turkey to season the greens instead of pork.
Tonya Atkinson says
https://twitter.com/TonyaAtki/status/797577606652633088
Tabathia B says
I liked the apple pie milkshake and another of my personal favs is bacon wrapped asparagus
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/797917531117862912
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Jessica To says
We like steamed carrots as a yummy side.
julie says
we love making cinnamon sweet mashed potatoes! It tastes amazing
julie says
https://twitter.com/showstopper474/status/798229246753832961
angie lilly says
My whole Thanksgiving meal is a fresh take because it is all vegetarian! The #1 thing is my Quorn Turk'y Roast. I make this faux meat in my cast iron dutch oven basted in EVOO and fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, & black pepper. It is SOOOO good!
angie lilly says
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/801435860398968832
donna says
we love sweet potato pie with lemon meringue crackers
donna says
https://twitter.com/linjumimom/status/801494760611606528
Kelly D says
I like to cook a wild rice dish instead of stuffing.
Kelly D says
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/801563332947963904