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Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·★★★★★5 from 4 reviews
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This is a popular recipe that was previously published on Robust Recipes. It has been updated for a better experience.
Halloween is two days away!!!
So let’s talk about Thanksgiving sides ha!
Actually this roasted butternut squash and Brussels sprouts are great anytime during the fall or winter. As in, anytime you can find butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and pomegranates in season. Which is pretty much right now until the end of December. Pomegranates have a short season, at least here in the Midwest.
Grab them while you can because I tend to put them on everything this time of year. Little gems of color and flavor and crunch!
But really, this roasted butternut squash and Brussels sprouts with pomegranate does make a delicious, show stopping Thanksgiving side dish. Just look at those gorgeous colors!!!
I mean it could pretty much be the centerpiece of your table! Yes?
The Brussels sprouts are roasted to a crispy perfection while the butternut squash is roasted until it becomes tender. Last minute we add an orange honey glaze to the butternut squash for a hint of extra sweetness that just ups the flavor game of the butternut squash. Effortless, but really helps to make the entire dish.
Okay, so you’ve got tender butternut squash roasted with a honey orange glaze and the savoriness of the crunchy Brussels sprouts – all of that glouriousness is topped with pomegranate seeds, crunchy, juicy, and tart. Flavor and texture bomb in your mouth!!!
If you are making this roasted butternut squash and Brussels sprouts for Thanksgiving…the biggest food holiday of the year!! I left a few tips on which ingredients you can prep in advance to make the day of that much easier.
Also, I feel it’s my responsibility to tell you that if this dish gets cold on you before you can serve it, it’s still super delish. Yes, you lose out on the crispiness of the Brussels sprouts but the crunchy pomegranate seeds help to make up for that. Because let’s be honest, it can be a challenge to time everything perfectly so that all the dishes are served hot. So, I give you permission to let this one get cold, everyone will still love it!
Roasted butternut squash and Brussels sprouts is one of my most popular recipes on the blog this time of year. I am always surprised to see some of my older recipes with not-so-great pictures and poor recipe instructions do so well. Still, this post needed an update. Better photos, better instructions, and better cooking experience. You’re welcome.
Whether you make this recipe as a Thanksgiving side, or make it just because you want make the most of fall produce I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Thanksgiving is on it’s way, friends!!! Are you getting excited?!?!
Oh, and BTW…Happy Halloween. I’m jumping ahead a little bit on Holidays ha!
Roasted butternut squash and Brussels sprouts is the perfect side for Thanksgiving or any fall time meal. Orange, honey glazed butternut squash with crispy Brussels sprouts and crunchy pomegranate!
Ingredients
UnitsScale
3cups cubed butternut squash (about 1/2 large squash), peeled and chopped into cubes
1pound Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed off and cut in half
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Orange glaze
2 tablespoons honey (or sub maple syrup for vegans)
2 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice (about 1/2 of an orange)
Pinch of salt
Topping
1 pomegranate, seeded
Instructions
Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a large rimmed baking sheet and set aside. Prepare all your veggies as instructed above (see notes for tips on prepping these ingredients a few days in advance). Spread the Brussels sprouts and cubed butternut squash on the baking sheet. Toss with the olive oil and salt until well coated. Spread the veggies out, separating the butternut squash form the Brussels sprouts and placing the Brussels sprouts cut side down.
Roast: Roast for 15 to 20 minutes and toss each veggie making sure they stay separated and the spouts stay cut side down. Return to the oven and roast for another 10 minutes.
Make the orange glaze; While the veggies are roasting make the glaze by whisking the orange juice and honey (or maple syrup in a small mixing bowl), set aside.
Finish roasting : Once the sprouts are crispy and the butternut squash is mostly tender remove the sprouts from the pan into a dish to set aside. Toss the butternut squash in the orange glaze and return it to the oven to roast for another 5 minutes.
Finish: To serve toss the still warm Brussels sprouts with the butternut squash and sprinkle with the pomegranate. Serve immediately. Best served warm, but also still good cold or room temperature.
Prep ahead tips: -peel and cut butternut squash up to 3 days in advance -peel and seed the pomegranate up to 3 days in advance -cut Brussels sprouts up to 1 day in advance -make the orange honey glaze up to 1 day in advance
Why Are My Brussel Sprouts Not Crispy? Spread them out into a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet to avoid overcrowding. If they're too close together, they'll steam instead of roast which stops the crisping process.
Not only can soaking make the centers more malleable, but the water that's absorbed into them will create a steaming action, whether you choose to roast, saute, or make your Brussels sprouts in your air fryer. The steam can help to ensure the cooking is even throughout the Brussels sprout.
If you want your roasted Brussels sprouts to be seriously crispy, you need to crank up the heat. Roasting at a low temperature won't allow them to brown properly, so you want to get that oven nice and hot before tossing in your baking sheet. Follow this tip: Roast Brussels sprouts at a minimum of 400°F.
Cut the bottom of each brussels sprout off (about 1/4" or less) and then slice in half lengthwise. Toss all ingredients and place in a single layer on a baking dish. Roast for 25 minutes or until brussels sprouts are slightly browned and tender throughout. Serve hot or cold.
Unlike other vegetables, Brussels sprouts can be parboiled (even a day ahead) to reduce the roasting time without hurting their texture. That means the sprouts can be popped in the oven while the meat is resting before carving. Of course, if the main course is grilled or pan-cooked, the oven will be free for roasting.
The only difference is that we'll lower the oven temperature for reheating. A high oven temperature is ideal for roasting, but since the sprouts are already cooked, we just want to heat them through and bring back their crispy char, without burning them.
For best results, soak your Brussels sprouts in salt water. Not only does salt act to tenderize the dense sprouts, but it will also help to season them all the way through. It won't take a lot -- just add 1 tablespoon of salt per 1 quart of water and toss in trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts.
This could be caused by using too little oil for roasting. You need a nice coating of oil—enough to make the heads shiny or if they're cut, enough oil to get inside the folds of some of the leaves. Without oil, Brussels don't brown and soften—they dehydrate.
In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.
While butternut squash skin is edible and it can even turn nice and crisp when roasted, many people prefer to peel it first so it's easier to eat. Butternut squash skin is smooth and thin and the best way to peel it is by using a sharp vegetable peeler.
While you can make roasted Brussels sprouts whole or halved, I recommend trimming and halving them for this easy recipe. To trim: Using a knife, trim off the bottom of the tough stem end of each Brussels sprout. Then, remove any yellow or damaged leaves, and cut each Brussels sprout in half lengthwise.
How do I prepare brussel sprouts? To prepare brussel sprouts, you should rinse them well or even soak them if you have enough time. Trim the bottoms and outer leaves off, then cut them in half to prep them for roasting.
Wash sprouts under cold running water and remove any leaves or yellow spots you may see. Place sprouts in a pot and cook for about 10-15 minutes. Sprouts are done when a knife will easily cut through them. Season with butter, salt, and pepper to taste.
There's nothing wrong with soft and chewy Brussels, but if your goal is the type of crispy Brussels that they're serving at your favorite bistro you MUST thoroughly dry the surface of the sprouts before sautéing and/or roasting them. If they are wet they will steam instead of crisp.
Any disdain you may harbor for Brussel Sprouts probably originated by eating them steamed or boiled. Steaming and boiling use moist heat, and moist heat can make Brussel Sprouts mushy and stinky—not a good combo. Give them the treatment they deserve by roasting them instead.
However, loose planting is not a direct cause of fluffy sprouts. The usual cause is poor soil, lack of growth and especially the use of non-hybrid cultivars. Only hybrid cultivars can be relied on to produce firm sprouts. Excessive nitrogen fertiliser is not implicated in loose sprout formation.
It's as simple as spreading the leftover Brussels sprouts in a single layer on a baking sheet (use two to avoid overcrowding if there's a lot) and heating them in a 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes. When the sprouts come out of the oven they'll be hot and crispy all over.
Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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