How to Microwave Brussels Sprouts

//cookanyday.com/cdn/shop/files/Anyday_Photos_Recipes_BrusselsSprouts_1040_360x.jpg?v=1704411827 How to Microwave Brussels Sprouts
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Prep Time

1 min

Cook Time

3 mins

Free Time

to enjoy a few quiet minutes

Equally vibrant in color and taste, Brussels sprouts have made quite the comeback as a beloved favorite side or appetizer. We recommend steaming them in the microwave — these little cabbages will retain their natural flavor and prevent them from turning brown, mushy, and stinky. Sear the sprouts in a hot pan or finish them under the broiler for a couple of minutes to get some char.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well.

Brussels Sprouts, Anyday Basics, Vegetables Anyday Basics, Vegetables

What You’ll Need

What You’ll Need

The Small Dish

This dish’s superpower is evenly heating leftovers and cooking small portions.

The Medium Deep Dish

The best dish for 1-2 portions of grains, veggies, mac and cheese, ramen, and more.

The Medium Shallow Dish

Look no further for making poached eggs, desserts, dips, and small portions of meat or fish.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!
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Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

1 cup Brussels sprouts

Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

Microwave oven by power - 700w
700w

Recommended 

Dish

The Small Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (100g) Brussels sprouts, halved
  • 2 teaspoons water

Preparation

  1. Add the halved Brussels sprouts and water to an Anyday dish.
  2. Cover with the lid (knob lifted).
  3. Cook in the microwave for 3 minutes, or until the Brussels sprouts are fork-tender.

Serving suggestions & tips

  • Grapes and pecan: Mix with sliced green grapes, crispy shallots, and toasted pecans
  • Nutty feta: Mix with pomegranate seeds, toasted almonds, and feta cheese
  • Garlic ginger soy: Mix with hoisin sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, and ground ginger
  • Caesar-style: Chop roughly, top with Caesar dressing and garlic croutons

Recipe notes

  • You can cook frozen Brussels sprouts for the same amount of suggested cooking time.
  • Cut the Brussels sprouts in half before microwaving to make sure the core is cooked through.
  • Par-cook Brussels sprouts in the microwave for half the amount of indicated time and finish them in a hot pan for a satisfying char.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Microwave Match Up: Brussels Sprouts

See for yourself — microwaving Brussels sprouts is simply faster, start to finish. *Includes preheat time

Appliance Cook Time
Microwave in an Anyday dish 2-4 mins
Oven* 20-25 mins
Stovetop* 15-20 mins
Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)* 20 mins
*Includes preheat time

All You Need to Know About Microwaving Brussels Sprouts

How long does take to cook Brussels sprouts in the microwave?

Ingredient Water Cook Time
1 cup Brussels sprouts, halved 2 teaspoons water 3 mins
2 cups Brussels sprouts, halved 2 teaspoons water 3 mins
4 cups Brussels sprouts, halved 1 tablespoon water 5-6 mins
6 cups Brussels sprouts, halved 1 1/2 tablespoons water 10-11 mins
8 cups Brussels sprouts, halved 2 tablespoons water 14-15 mins
Cook time calculated for 700w microwave

It typically takes around 1-2 minutes per cup of Brussels sprouts to cook in the microwave. To tell when Brussels sprouts are cooked through, look for tender, vibrant green sprouts. You can also test them by piercing a sprout with a fork; it should be tender but not mushy.

Is steaming a good way to cook Brussels sprouts?

Steaming Brussels sprouts in the microwave a great way to cook Brussels sprouts! It’s a healthy and convenient cooking method that helps preserve both their nutritional value and delicious taste.

How to microwave frozen Brussels sprouts?

Microwaving frozen Brussels sprouts is easy and fast! Place the frozen sprouts in an Anyday, cover with the lid, and microwave for the suggested time for fresh sprouts. If the frozen sprouts are whole, don’t worry about cutting them in half. They should cook in the same amount of time, but check tenderness with a fork before serving.

Should I wash the sprouts before cooking them?

It is always a good idea to rinse the sprouts properly before cooking them in the microwave. Plus, the extra moisture will help speed up the cooking process and prevent shriveling.

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