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Brussels sprouts with blue cheese is a delightful twist on a classic side dish, transforming one of our favorite cool weather vegetables into a flavorful and elegant accompaniment. Roasting at high heat brings out their natural sweetness while creating a crispy exterior and tender interior. This simple cooking method, combined with the tangy creaminess of blue cheese, roasted red onions, and a touch of fresh lemon, elevates the Brussels sprouts to an exceptional side that pairs beautifully with a variety of main courses, especially red meats.
Brussels sprouts might have a bold flavor, but they’re surprisingly easy to pair with other ingredients – that’s part of what makes them so fun to work with. We’ve created a few different side dishes with them, each with a different flavor profile (see below), but this one with blue cheese is truly one of our favorites, particularly around the holidays.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you need to know about the key ingredients in this recipe. The complete list, including quantities, is in the printable recipe card below.
FRESH BRUSSELS SPROUTS: Look for vibrant, green sprouts without yellow or brown sprouts. Small Brussels sprouts tend to be more tender and sweeter, and those that are firm to the touch with tightly packed leaves are the freshest.
RED ONION: We like the slightly sweet, mild flavor of red onion paired with Brussels sprouts, but shallots would be a nice alternative, too.
BLUE CHEESE: It’s always best to buy a block of cheese and crumble it yourself. Blue cheese that comes already crumbled tends to be less flavorful and can spoil more quickly.
Prep Overview
How to Make Brussels Sprouts with Blue Cheese
Planning to make this recipe? Here’s a quick overview of how it’s done. Detailed, step-by-step instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
Start by getting the oven heated and a pot of salted water boiling. While that’s going, prep the Brussels sprouts by trimming and cleaning them. Give them a quick boil, then plunge them into ice water to keep them bright and stop the cooking process.
Once they’ve cooled down, halve them and toss them with sliced red onion, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Spread everything out on a baking sheet and roast until the sprouts are tender and caramelized. Finish by tossing them with crumbled blue cheese and serve while warm.
Serving Suggestions
The bold flavors in this side dish make it a great choice for serving with hearty, simply flavored entrées like our standing rib roast, roasted beef tenderloin, and roasted capon.
More Ways to Cook Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are one of our favorite vegetables to cook, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy them beyond the usual methods. Try Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon for a perfect balance of sweet and savory. For a heartier option, Orecchiette With Brussels Sprouts and Bacon makes a satisfying pasta dish. Or switch things up with a Warm Brussels Sprouts Caesar, a flavorful twist on the classic salad.
Brussels Sprouts With Blue Cheese
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 to 2 lbs fresh brussels sprouts
- 1/2 large red onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and set aside a large bowl of ice water.
- Clean the brussels sprouts; trim the ends and remove loose outside leaves. Drop them into the boiling water and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, until they are bright green and crisp-tender.
- Quickly drain and add to the bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.
- Cut the sprouts in half lengthwise and place in a bowl. Separate the onion slices into rings and add to the sprouts.
- Add the olive oil and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
- Arrange the mixture on a large baking sheet that has been coated with nonstick spray. Roast until the brussels sprouts are very tender and lightly caramelized, 18 to 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and toss with the crumbled blue cheese. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this recipe ~the high heat roasting of the sprouts gives an excellent flavor ~and the bleu cheese adds something unusual to the taste. My family loves it!
Hi Karen,
Glad you liked the Brussels sprouts. It’s a good one to make for company and goes great with pork.