Roasted Brussels Sprouts Bowl (Printable Version)

Caramelized sprouts, hearty grains, and tangy balsamic create this nourishing bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
02 - 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Grains

06 - 1 cup quinoa or brown rice, uncooked
07 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Balsamic Dressing

08 - 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
09 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Toppings

14 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pecans
15 - 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
16 - 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine Brussels sprouts and red onion with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until Brussels sprouts are golden brown and caramelized at edges.
04 - Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine grains with water or broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until tender and liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, maple syrup or honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
06 - Divide cooked grains evenly among four bowls. Top each with roasted Brussels sprouts and onions.
07 - Drizzle balsamic dressing over each bowl. Garnish with toasted nuts, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • Those caramelized edges happen almost by accident, but they're what make you want to eat Brussels sprouts instead of feeling obligated to.
  • It comes together in less than an hour and actually tastes better when you're not rushing, which feels like a small miracle.
  • The bowl works cold for the next day's lunch, warm for dinner, and even as leftovers it doesn't feel sad or compromised.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the baking sheet when roasting or you'll steam the Brussels sprouts instead of caramelizing them—give them space to breathe and get crispy.
  • The dressing tastes better if you make it while the vegetables are still warm, so the flavors meld into the bowl.
03 -
  • Pat the Brussels sprouts dry with a paper towel before roasting so they caramelize instead of steaming and getting soft.
  • Make the dressing in advance if you want—it actually gets better as it sits and the flavors marry together.
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