Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Kimchi Vinaigrette Is the Gut-Healthy Veggie Side You’ve Been Waiting For

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These roasted Brussels sprouts are coated in a spicy kimchi vinaigrette for a high-fiber side that you’ll want to make again and again. Kimchi offers a healthy dose of probiotics to keep your gut happy and healthy.

a recipe photo of the Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Kimchi Vinaigrette
Photo:

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

Active Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
4

This Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Kimchi Vinaigrette recipe is the perfect gut-friendly side. Brussels sprouts become sweet as they roast and are then tossed in a tangy, salty, spicy vinaigrette. The sesame oil brings a subtle nuttiness and the fresh ginger adds a warm brightness, while the kimchi brings a spicy fermented flavor that also adds probiotics to your gut’s microbiome. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to prevent mushy Brussels sprouts. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Crowding your Brussels sprouts will cause them to steam and get mushy rather than roast. You want to give them as much room as possible on the pan (that’s why we suggest using 2 pans).
  • Add honey to the dressing for a touch of extra sweetness.
  • Use the kimchi vinaigrette as a salad dressing or as a marinade for chicken or shrimp.
  • Using a blender will result in a smoother dressing consistency; a food processor will not work as well.

Nutrition Notes

  • Brussels sprouts are loaded with gut-friendly fiber that will help keep you regular and feed your beneficial bacteria. By regularly including Brussels sprouts in your meals, you may experience a healthier gut microbiome and a lower risk of disease, including heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.
  • Kimchi is a fermented dish that’s typically made with cabbage. The fermentation adds probiotics to kimchi and the cabbage brings vitamins, minerals and fiber. This makes kimchi especially gut-friendly. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that reside in your gut, and fiber feeds those bacteria, helping them to thrive. A healthy microbiome supports a strong immune system, which in turn lowers your risk of disease.
the ingredients to make the Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Kimchi Vinaigrette

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

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Ingredients

  • 2 pounds fresh Brussels sprouts halved lengthwise (about 8 cups)

  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, divided

  • teaspoon salt

  • ½ cup undrained napa cabbage kimchi

  • 3 tablespoons water

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce

  • ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger

  • ¼ cup thinly sliced scallions

  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine Brussels sprouts, 1 tablespoon sesame oil and ⅛ teaspoon salt in a large bowl; toss until evenly coated. Divide between the prepared pans, spreading in a single layer. Roast until tender and deeply browned, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring and rotating the pans from top to bottom halfway through.

    a step in making the Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Kimchi Vinaigrette

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

  2. Meanwhile, combine ½ cup kimchi, 3 tablespoons water, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 teaspoon fish sauce, ½ teaspoon ginger and the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a blender; process until smooth, about 30 seconds.

    Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Kimchi Vinaigrette

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

  3. Transfer the Brussels sprouts and ½ cup of the vinaigrette to the large bowl; toss until evenly coated. Drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette; top with ¼ cup scallions and 2 teaspoons sesame seeds.

    Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Kimchi Vinaigrette

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    You can store kimchi Brussels sprouts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, enjoying leftovers chilled or at room temperature. It’s best not to reheat the dressing because it can alter the flavor. Therefore, if you are planning for leftovers ahead of time and you want to reheat the dish, keep the vinaigrette separate from the Brussels sprouts.

  • What is napa cabbage kimchi, and where can I find it?

    The main ingredient in kimchi is fermented cabbage leaves. It can be mild, spicy or sour, depending on the brand, and may include other ingredients such as daikon radishes, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, apples, onions and more. Napa cabbage kimchi is usually available in most grocery stores and Asian markets in the refrigerated produce section near the pickles and sauerkraut.

  • What’s the easiest way to grate ginger?

    Store your ginger in the freezer for easier grating. If the skin is thin, there's no need to peel it first, but if it’s thick, you can use a spoon to scrape off the peel. Then, use a microplane for grating, or shred the ginger using the tines of a fork. Alternatively, you can use the smallest holes on a box grater, but much of the ginger may get stuck.

  • What should I serve with kimchi Brussels sprouts?

    This side dish will go with your favorite fish, beef, chicken and pork recipes. Try it with some of ours: Grilled Salmon with Cilantro-Ginger Sauce, Gochujang-Glazed Grilled Mackerel, Galbi (Korean BBQ Short Ribs) or Dak Ggochi (Korean Chicken Skewers).

EatingWell.com, October 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

209 Calories
15g Fat
17g Carbs
7g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about 1 cup
Calories 209
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 7g 26%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 7g 13%
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Vitamin A 71µg
Vitamin C 151mg 168%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 3mg 18%
Folate 123µg
Vitamin K 338µg
Sodium 320mg 14%
Calcium 99mg 8%
Iron 3mg 18%
Magnesium 52mg 12%
Potassium 742mg 16%
Zinc 1mg 8%
Vitamin B12 0µg

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a freelance writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm

Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications, such as Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country magazines, and has edited cookbooks for Dovetail Press and The Taste Curators.

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