Emeralds and Rubies. That’s the first thing that came to mind as I pulled the baking pan out of the oven. The brussels sprouts and grapes that were roasted in extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkled with fresh thyme glistened and brilliantly sparked while some grapes foamed, I placed the hot baking pan on the counter.
I won’t embellish about its aroma. Brussels sprouts have the familiar cooking aromas as cabbage and broccoli. But imagine, if you will, those aromas filling the air next to a pot roast, a roasting turkey, or even apple and pumpkin pie!
That slight bite of a taste that brussels sprouts can have, paired with a subtle sweetness from the grapes and tang of balsamic vinegar is surprisingly complimentary. So besides its natural alluring presentation after you’ve sprinkled some walnuts about it, the side dish is sure to be a winner during the next months and especially at a holiday table.
Forget the sodium-rich green bean casseroles and vegetables out of a can. Prep time is mere minutes and roasting is another 20 minutes. Serve it with a roast, holiday turkey and any format of potatoes! I’ve halved the original recipe and baked half the ingredients on a baking sheet and a portion of the rest in individual oven-proof serving dishes. Also, this is a vegetarian/vegan friendly dish.
- Add more grapes. The grapes are delightful and while eating the dish I looked to make sure I had several grapes with every bite.
- Used 2 tablespoons of ultra-fresh (straight from my garden) thyme, but really couldn’t taste it.
- Salt and pepper are personal choice. With the balsamic vinegar, however, the salt wasn’t really needed especially if you’re healthful cooking.
- When the ingredients were done roasting, I removed the pan from the oven and turned the sprouts over to expose whichever side was caramelized, moved around the grapes and then evenly distributed the walnuts. I then returned the pan to the oven for another 5-8 minutes with the walnuts before adding the balsamic vinegar.
Serves 4
12 ounces fresh brussels sprouts (about 4 cups), halved
12 ounces seedless red grapes (about 2 cups), removed from stems
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh thyme
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper (optional)
1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
1-2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Heat oven to 450 degrees.
On a rimmed baking sheet, toss brussels sprouts and grapes with extra-virgin olive oil and thyme. Arrange sprouts so that some cut sides are facing down. Optionally season with salt and pepper.
Roast until caramelized and tender about 20 minutes. Remove pan from oven and turn sprouts over to expose whichever side was caramelized and move grapes. Evenly distribute walnuts. Return pan to oven for another 5-8 minutes with the walnuts. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Grapes and Walnuts – Prep
Steph @ Steph in Thyme says
I love roasted Brussels Sprouts, but I’ve never had it with grapes. That sounds so good, a sweet and savory combination. Perfect for Thanksgiving!
Susan says
What a unique combination! Those roasted grapes are stunning and I do bet it tastes amazing together.
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says
I love this combo! What a fabulous side for the holidays!
Christiane ~ Taking On Magazines says
Wow. I adore Brussels sprouts and would drool if this dish showed up on the dinner table. The combination of the sprouts with grapes sounds divine.
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
A perfect harvest side dish! Would love this beside a seared pork chop 🙂
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats says
Wow, I’ve never thought of paring brussels sprouts with grapes! Sounds good!
Vicky @ Avocdo Pesto says
Love that you thought of emeralds and rubies when this was coming out of the oven! I love grapes but never thought to roast them! Definitely intrigued by that idea and need to try it!
fabiola@notjustbaked says
I love this unique combo you have going on here. And I love brussels, I’ll eat them so much this time of year!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
These are so pretty and colourful! May have to add these to my Christmas spread as my fiancé loves Brussels!
Alana @ alanabread says
Brussel sprout love!! This combination really excites me, so thank you, I’m currently drooling all over my keyboard.
Magic of Spice says
What a stunning side! I love the thought of this pairing and would happily take it as my main dish 🙂
Monet says
We’ve been looking for an x-mas sidedish, and now we’ve found it! I can’t wait to make this for my family in Colorado. They are going to be in HEAVEN! Thank you for sharing another delicious dish, sweet friend!
Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} says
Emeralds and Rubies. Such a beautiful name for such a delicious meal. I love both Brussels Sprouts and Grapes but never had them in the same dish. definitely a try.
Happy thanksgiving to you and your family Cristina
Melissa@EyesBigger says
oh my! this is just so pretty! I grew up with an English mother who boiled all vegetables to mush and I could never get behind brussel sprouts. And then somebody introduced me to roasted ones and suddenly I saw them in a whole new light. I can imagine how they would be with the balsamic, grapes and walnuts… mmmm… delicious!
FOODESSA says
This is admittedly a very interesting combination. Very nice captures.
Cristina…I just came backwards from your gratitude page…heartfelt is a great life’s moment in time…thanks for the reflection ;o)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones.
Claudia
Julie at Burnt Carrots says
Beautiful pictures! Great idea to combine brussels with grapes. The sweet and savory rich flavors sound fantastic! You need to develop a scratch and sniff sticker for the computer! 😉
Liren says
How lovely, I do agree they look like beautiful gems! I have never roasted grapes before so I’m especially intrigued. I think I will have to try this and soon. Happy Thanksgiving, Cristina, to you and yours!
chinmayie @ love food eat says
Never heard of a recipe like this before! SO new to me 🙂 Love the idea of brussels sprouts with grapes 🙂
Priscilla - She's Cookin' says
You beat me to it, Cristina! When I saw this recipe in Whole Living I knew that this was the best flavor combination for brussels sprouts ever! I love that magazine… and I’m still going to make this 🙂
Tiffany says
My sister is in charge of the Brussels sprouts this year… I am going to delicately suggest that she use your recipe 😉
sippitysup says
I have seen so many creatives takes on Brussels Sprouts lately but this is down right spectacular. GREG
Beth Michelle says
I love brussels sprouts. This looks so pretty and sounds delicious!
5 Star Foodie says
A delicious pairing of brussels sprouts and grapes. I would love to try this!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I LOOOOOOVE Brussel sprouts. Seriously love them. I have never cooked them with grapes or walnuts so this is another recipe that I need to cook one day. Thyme goes so well with Brussel sprouts and this is a must try!
Yudith @ Blissfully Delicious says
I LOVE brussel sprouts. I like that you use the balsamic vinegar at the end. And the grape addition makes it even more perfect.
Umm Mymoonah says
Never tried this combination, loved that sweetish flavour in it. Beautiful pictures too…
Suzi says
Love the addition of the balsamic vinegar to the sprouts, I haven’t tried them like that. Tasty!
Eating Deliciously says
Love the addition of grapes! Bookmarking this fantastic side dish.
Liz says
Gorgeous! The grapes add a beautiful contrast to the Brussels sprouts…yummy!
Jen at The Three Little Piglets says
Roasted brussel sprouts are one of my favorite veggies. They have such an amazing flavor!
Kristi Rimkus says
What a terrific combination, and you are right that it’s nice to add a lighter dish to the usual heavy holiday fare. The colors are holiday perfect!
Ann says
I made this recipe last week and I completely agree with you – it’s amazing! Your photos are incredible and your description of emeralds and rubies is lovely!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
This is wonderful side dish! I bet the grapes give it a nice sweetness!
Christy says
Yeah, those were the two gems which came to my mind when I saw the first photo! Even before I read your first line 🙂
Hehehe…great minds think alike eh? :p
Love the idea of this dish; and I just love brussel sprouts and grapes, that I think I don’t need a reminder to load on the grapes…LOL!:D
kaliesthoughts says
Yum.
Kimber says
These look amazing! And I bet the sweetness from the grapes balances out the bitterness from the brussel sprouts! I love this idea!
jules says
Wow!!! These look incredible. Such amazing colours. Those tastes and textures look great.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I have never thought to roast grapes with brussels! I bet these were delicious, especially with the thyme and walnuts.
Annette | Bucket List Journey says
I am addicted to brussel sprouts right now and this looks like a great recipe to add to my repetoire!k
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
First of all, GORGEOUS photos. Wow. And I have got to make this. I love that you added grapes!!