How to Freeze Brussels Sprout Shoots

If you've just harvested Brussels sprout shoots from your garden or scored a bargain at the grocery store, you might be wondering how to store them before they spoil. Luckily, you can freeze Brussels sprout shoots for up to a year and enjoy them gradually. To preserve both flavor and nutrients, it’s best to blanch them before freezing.

Detach the Brussels sprouts from the stalk. If they have already been separated, you can skip this step. To harvest Brussels sprouts, grab each sprout individually and pull it from the stalk. Once all the sprouts are detached, discard the stalk.

Soak the Brussels sprout shoots in warm water for 10 minutes. Soaking the shoots in warm water is an easy way to clean them before freezing. The water will wash away any dirt or debris stuck to the leaves of the sprouts.

Rinse the Brussels sprouts under clean water and dry them off. Use a cloth to dry each sprout individually. It's crucial to make sure the sprouts are completely dry before freezing, as any moisture left on them may cause ice crystals to form.

Place the Brussels sprouts in a resealable plastic bag. Depending on the amount of sprouts, you may need one or more bags. After filling the bags, press the air out with your hands and seal the bags shut.

• You can also pack each bag with a portion of sprouts for a single use. This way, you can take out just the right amount without needing to measure again.

Label each bag with the date. Writing the date on each bag will help you keep track of how long the sprouts have been in the freezer. You can even note the expiration date on the bag so you don’t have to count the months each time you want to use them.

Store the Brussels sprouts in the freezer for up to 12 months. After 12 months, the Brussels sprouts will begin to lose their original flavor and texture. If the sprouts appear dry or discolored when you take them out of the freezer, it might be a sign they’ve suffered freezer burn. While still edible, they won’t taste as good.

• If you want to preserve the color, flavor, and nutrients of the Brussels sprouts in the freezer, you should blanch them before freezing.

Boil a pot of water and sort the Brussels sprouts by size. Divide the Brussels sprouts into three categories: small, medium, and large. Each group will need to be blanched for a different amount of time.

• If all the sprouts are the same size, you can skip the sorting step.

Prepare a bowl of ice water. You will place the Brussels sprouts into the ice water right after blanching to complete the process. Fill a bowl about three-quarters full with water and add an ice tray to chill it.

Boil the small Brussels sprout group for 3 minutes. Once the water in the pot is boiling, carefully add the small Brussels sprouts. Boil them for 3 minutes, leaving the pot uncovered.

Remove the Brussels sprouts from the boiling water and transfer them to the ice water bowl. Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the sprouts from the boiling water. Immediately place them in the ice water and let them soak for 3 minutes.

Remove the Brussels sprouts from the ice water and dry them with a towel. It’s essential to thoroughly dry the sprouts before freezing. Once the sprouts are dry, you can place them in bags and store them in the freezer.

Repeat with the other groups of Brussels sprouts, but blanch for longer times. Blanch the medium-sized sprouts for 4 minutes, and the large sprouts for 5 minutes. Immediately transfer them to the ice water after blanching, soaking them for the same amount of time as their blanching period. Remove the sprouts from the ice water and dry them off with a towel.

Place the blanched Brussels sprouts into a resealable plastic bag. You no longer need to sort the sprouts by size. After placing them into the bag, press out the air and seal the bag shut.

Label each bag with the date. This will help you keep track of how long the sprouts have been in the freezer. You can also write the expiration date on the bag for easy reference, ensuring you know when the sprouts are no longer fresh.

Store the Brussels sprouts in the freezer for up to 12 months. Brussels sprouts typically maintain their flavor and texture in the freezer for up to 12 months. After that, they may suffer freezer burn and lose their taste. If the sprouts are dry or discolored when taken from the freezer, it could be a sign they’ve been freezer-burned.