Cook these perfectly steamed Brussels sprouts in just 5 minutes. Simply cooking Brussels sprouts in the microwave or on the stovetop is really the best way to preserve their sweet, nutty flavor and crisp-tender texture. Toss them with a rich-tasting garlic and fresh herb butter for a quick vegetable side dish.

A platter of steamed Brussels sprouts tossed with melted butter and herbs.
Perfectly sweet and tender steamed Brussels sprouts with garlic butter and parsley.

If you’ve only tried making roasted Brussels sprouts (which are fantastic, btw), preparing them steamed is a game-changer!

Steaming Brussels sprouts preserves their vibrant green color more than any other cooking method and the texture remains tender, but not soft or mushy. Plus, they’re just about the quickest veggie side dish you can cook.

Good to know: I find Brussels sprouts are endlessly versatile to enjoy — try other ideas, like shaving them raw into this crisp slaw, or roasting Brussels sprouts on a sheet pan with Parmesan until sweet and caramelized.

Fresh Brussels sprouts in a colander, surrounded by dishes of butter, garlic cloves and parsley.

Ingredient tips

  • Brussels sprouts: Look for fresh Brussels sprouts year-round in grocery stores or in late summer and early fall in farmer’s markets. You can sometimes find them still on their stalks, but most likely they’ll be picked and bagged for convenience. Choose firm sprouts with green leaves (yellowing leaves means they’ve been hanging around a while).
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic rules the day for the flavored butter. I prefer to use a rasp grater to make a quick paste, but you can also chop it finely.
  • Herbs: Fresh chopped parsley adds a bright flavor and color to the garlic butter. You can blend in other fresh herb you like, such as basil, chives, tarragon or thyme.

Prep and steam the Brussels sprouts:

  • Trimming Brussels sprouts on a cutting board.
    1. Trim the stem ends off the Brussels sprouts. Be sure to reserve any outer leaves that don’t have spots or blemishes.
  • Sliced Brussels sprouts and a knife on a cutting board.
    2. Halve any sprouts that are larger than 1 1/2-inch in diameter so they cook evenly and quickly. Keep smaller ones whole.
  • Softened butter in a bowl, with a fork and chopped parsley.
    3. Make the herbed garlic butter: Put softened butter, garlic, and parsley in a bowl.
  • A bowl of soft butter mixed with parsley.
    4. Mash together until blended and creamy.
  • Halved Brussels sprouts in a bowl with salt and pepper on top.
    5. Toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt and pepper in a microwave-safe bowl.
  • A bowl of Brussels sprouts covered with plastic wrap.
    6. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap, then poke the top with 3 or 4 holes with a sharp knife to vent steam. Microwave the Brussels sprouts on high heat 4 minutes. They should look bright green and and feel fork tender.
  • Steamed Brussels sprouts in a bowl with herb butter.
    7. Carefully remove the plastic wrap. Add the parsley butter.
  • Green Brussels sprouts in a bowl with parsley butter.
    8. Microwave uncovered for one more minute.
Buttered brussels sprouts on a platter with a serving spoon.
5 from 6 ratings

Steamed Brussels Sprouts with Herbed Garlic Butter

Karen Tedesco
Cook these perfectly steamed Brussels sprouts in just 5 minutes. Simply cooking Brussels sprouts in the microwave or on the stovetop is really the best way to preserve their sweet, nutty flavor and crisp-tender texture. Toss them with a rich-tasting garlic and fresh herb butter for a quick vegetable side dish.
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Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients
 

Parsley Garlic Butter

  • 2 tablespoons (30 g) butter, salted or unsalted, softened at room temperature
  • 1 clove garlic, grated or finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Brussels sprouts

  • 1 pound (450 g) brussels sprouts
  • 1 tablespoon (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

Mix the parsley butter

  1. Blend the butter with the garlic and 1 tablespoon of the parsley in a small bowl.

Prepare the Brussels sprouts

  1. Trim the stem ends off the Brussels sprouts. Halve any that are larger than 1 ½-inches in diameter — this ensures they cook evenly and quickly. Put them in a microwave safe bowl and toss with the olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt and ground black pepper to taste.
  2. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Poke 3-4 holes in the top of the plastic with the tip of a knife. Microwave on high heat for 4 minutes — they should be bright green and fork-tender.
  3. Use a pair of oven mitts to remove the Brussels sprouts from the microwave (the bowl will be very hot). Carefully remove the plastic wrap and discard. Add the parsley butter to the bowl. Cook one more minute in the microwave to melt the butter.
  4. Transfer the Brussels sprouts to a serving bowl or platter, scraping out all the butter sauce. Top with the remaining chopped parsley and serve.

Notes

  • Variations: Garnish the dish with grated Parmesan cheese, chopped nuts (such as almonds, pine nuts, hazelnuts), or toasted fresh breadcrumbs for crunchy texture. Add in about 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest and lemon juice to the parsley butter.
  • To double or triple the recipe for a larger crowd, cook the Brussels sprouts in separate batches in the microwave.
  • To steam Brussels sprouts on the stovetop: Place the seasoned Brussels sprouts in a colander or steamer basket that fits into large saucepan with a cover. Bring two inches of water to a boil in the pan, then add the colander to the pan and cover. Cook about 5 minutes, until they’re bright green and a small knife can be inserted easily, with a little resistance. Try not to overcook them. Drain the water from the pan, add the Brussels sprouts and herb butter and toss until the butter is melted.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 86kcal Carbohydrates: 11g Protein: 4g Fat: 4g Sodium: 38mg Fiber: 4g Sugar: 3g

Nutrition facts are calculated by third-party software. If you have specific dietary needs, please refer to your favorite calculator.

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