Pickled Brussels Sprouts are apparently now the “hip” thing (along with Dilly Beans) to use in cocktails instead of celery or olives.
These pickled sprouts are crisp, with a clean, fresh, bright taste — perhaps not at all what you’d expect! Many people who are hesitant to try even one end up loving them.
This recipe comes from the USDA Complete Guide; it also appears in So Easy to Preserve.
TO BE CLEAR: These are pickles, you do not want to heat these before serving. Serve room temperature, or chilled.
Contents
The recipe
Jars: Quarter-litre (1/2 US pint / 250 ml / 8 oz) OR half-litre (1 US pint / 500 ml/ 16 oz)
Processing method: Water bath or steam canning
Yield: 4 x half-litre (US pint) jars
Headspace: 2 cm (1/2 inch)
Processing time: 10 minutes (either jar size)
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Yield: 4 x half-litre (US pint) jars
Serving size: 1 sprout
Calories: 11
Fat: .1 g
- 1½ kg Brussels sprouts (12 cups / 3.3 lbs / about 6 dozen medium-sized)
- 1 litre vinegar, 5% acidity or higher (4 cups / 32 oz)
- 200 g thinly sliced onion (2 cups / 7 oz. 1 large. Measurements after prep.)
- 150 g diced sweet red peppers (1 cup / 5 oz. 1 large. Measurements after prep.)
- 2 tbsp mustard seed
- 1 tbsp celery seed
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 tsp chile pepper flakes
- 400 g white sugar (2 cup / 14 oz) OR 2 teaspoon liquid stevia
- Wash Brussels sprouts. Remove stems, rough-looking outer leaves. Any that are larger than 5 cm (2 inches), cut in half (through the stem so they will stay together.) Blanch for 4 minutes, counting the time from the time from when the water comes back to the boil. Plunge into cold water; let cool them drain well.
- In a large pot, combine the onion, pepper, vinegar, mustard seed, celery seed, turmeric, red pepper flakes, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Divide the Brussels amongst the jars you are using: either quarter-litre (1/2 US pint) or half-litre (1 US pint) jars.
- Leave about 3 cm (1 inch) free at the top of each jar.
- At this step, you will know if you need extra jars.
- [Optional] Add a cardamom pod and 2 or 3 peppercorns to each jar.
- [Optional] Add an ⅛th teaspoon Pickle Crisp to each jar.
- Using a slotted spoon, divide the onion and pepper amongst the jars.
- Leave 2 cm (1/2 inch) headspace
- Fill the jars with the brine. Leave 2 cm (1/2 inch) headspace.
- Debubble, adjust headspace.
- Wipe rims.
- Put lids on.
- Process in a water bath or steam canner.
- Process either size jar 10 minutes; increase time as needed for your altitude.
- Best after at least a month of jar time.
Reference information
Altitude processing time adjustments for this recipe: 300 to 1800 metres (1,001 – 6,000 feet) 15 minutes. Above 1800 metres (6,000 feet) 20 minutes.
How to water bath process
How to steam can.
When water-bath canning or steam canning, you must adjust the processing time for your altitude.
For stevia, Better Stevia liquid stevia was the stevia used.
More information about Sugar and Salt-Free Canning in general.
Australia and New Zealand vinegar strength special notes.
Recipe notes
- You can use part or all cider or another vinegar (5% strength or higher) in place of the all white vinegar
- If you are doubling or tripling this recipe, it’s best to blanch the Brussels one batch at a time.
- Have an extra jar or two handy just in case.
- You will fit about 16 Brussels Sprouts in per half-litre (US pint) jar.
Recipe Source
Pickled Cauliflower or Brussels Sprouts. In: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Complete guide to home canning. Agriculture information bulletin No. 539. 2015. Page 6-17.
Pickled Cauliflower or Brussels Sprouts. In: Andress, Elizabeth L. and Judy A. Harrison. So Easy to Preserve. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Bulletin 989. Sixth Edition. 2014. Page 139.
Modifications made:
- Added peppercorn, cardamom seasoning option;
- Add Pickle Crisp option (for added crunch);
- Suggested liquid stevia sweetener alternative to sugar (the sugar here is a seasoning)
Nutrition information
Regular version with sugar
Per 1 sprout:
- 16 calories, 5 mg sodium
Sugar-free version
Per 1 sprout:
- 11 calories, 5 mg sodium
- Weight Watchers PointsPlus®: 1 sprout: 0 points; 2 to 5; 1 point; 6 to 12 sprouts: 3 points
* Nutrition info provided by http://caloriecount.about.com
* PointsPlus™ calculated by healthycanning.com. Not endorsed by Weight Watchers® International, Inc, which is the owner of the PointsPlus® registered trademark.
* Better Stevia ® is a registered trademark of the NOW Foods Company.
* Pickle Crisp ® is a registered trademark of the Jarden Corporation.
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