Brussels Sprouts Soup Recipe (European Style) (2024)

ByEdyta

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Brussels Sprouts Soup is an amazing dish that can be served from the end of summer throughout the cold winter months. It’s very easy to make and tastes delicious. It can be served chunky or creamy, depending on your preferences, and accompanied by a piece of crusty bread.

If you’re looking for more Brussels Sprouts recipes check these two super popular recipes: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, and Cheesy Brussels Sprouts with Gruyere and Bacon.

Brussels Sprouts Soup Recipe (European Style) (1)This post may contain affiliate links. I get commissions for purchases made through the affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy HERE.

Brussels Sprouts Soup – a perfect meal from late summer, through the cold winter

The Brussels Sprouts pick season is from September to late February. I usually find them most plentiful in the farms on Long Island right around the same time as apples are in season. They’re known for their slightly bitter taste. But the later into the season the sweeter they become. Apparently, Brussels Sprouts like to be touched by the frost.

Therefore this Brussels Sprouts Soup can be enjoyed anytime, for almost half of the year. It’s a super easy recipe that my mom used to make all the time. Personally, I love it chunky, because this is how I grew up eating all soups; but my kids like it creamy, so I blend some of it for them. Feel free to go either way.

It may be hard to believe that my kids actually eat Brussels Sprouts. I know. For those who follow this blog, you know this is even more implausible because they are very picky eaters. As a result, I always struggle with getting healthy veggies into them. Soups are one of the very few successful vehicles I’ve had to hide veggies in. Perhaps it was my persistence with my first son that he eats a bowl of soup every day, that they’re both accustomed to Mom’s colorful soups. Or perhaps kids just dig the consistency. Either way, I always make certain that it’s tasty and smooth.

One of my older son’s favorites is this Creamy Spinach Soup. My little guy spits up everything that has any texture that doesn’t agree with him. That means 0 vegetables! But, then he sees his older brother eating a bowl of soup and he goes for it too. I consider this a huge success. They both eat healthy portions of this Brussels Sprouts soup.

(*insider secret: juicing is also a tremendous way to sneak veggies into your little people)

If you are a fan of Brussels Sprouts, bookmark this recipe because you’ll reuse it often.

Brussels Sprouts Soup Recipe (European Style) (2)

Ingredients Needed to Make Brussels Sprouts Soup

For a full list of ingredients with measurements, scroll down to the printable recipe card.

This is one of those recipes that require only a handful of simple ingredients and it comes out absolutely delicious. Here’s your grocery list:

  • Brussels Sprouts;
  • Leek;
  • Potatoes;
  • Carrots;
  • Celery;
  • Parsnip;
  • Olive Oil, or butter;
  • Broth (Chicken or Vegetable);
  • Heavy Cream;
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste;
  • Parsley to garnish.

Brussels Sprouts Soup Recipe (European Style) (3)

How to Make Brussels Sprout Soup

For full instructions and nutritional values please scroll down to the printable recipe card.

  • Prepare your vegetables:
    • Peel and chop carrots;
    • Clean and chop your leek;
    • Peel and cube the potatoes;
    • Clean and chop celery;
    • Peel the parsnip (I use it whole and discard it at the end of cooking because I don’t care for its taste, but feel free to chop it like carrots and leave it in the soup);
    • Wash your Brussels sprouts, discard outer leaves, and gently trim the ends (you can leave them whole or cut them in halves, making sure that the stem is intact so they don’t fall apart in the soup).
  • Cook the Soup:
    • In a Dutch Ovenor other pot with a lid, heat up butter or olive oil;
    • Add leeks and cook for a few minutes;
    • Add carrots, and celery, and cook for another couple of minutes;
    • Add Brussels Sprouts, potatoes, and parsnip;
    • Pour in the broth, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes, until all the veggies are cooked.

  • Finish up the Soup:
    • Pour the cream into a cup and slowly add some of the soup broth to temper the cream;
    • Once you have a full cup of liquid, pour it over into the pot;
    • Check for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper;
    • Garnish with parsley and serve.
    • For more intense flavor, drizzle some extra virgin olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice into each bowl
    • You can also add some Maggie seasoning if you can find it (In Poland we use it all the time and I can find it in Polish specialty stores, but you can also get it on Amazon at the link above).

Brussels Sprouts Soup Recipe (European Style) (11)

Ways to Alter this Recipe

  • Vegan:you can easily make this recipe vegan by:
    • using olive oil and not butter;
    • skipping the cream;
    • for a thicker consistency, you could blend some of the soup.
  • With Meat:
    • Brussels sprouts go hand in hand with bacon, so you could fry up some bacon, chop it, and then add it to the bowls for serving;
    • Another good meat option would be seared, cubed ham; seared kielbasa, or other sausages.

Brussels Sprouts Soup Recipe (European Style) (12)

How to Serve Brussels Sprouts Soup

In Poland, we eat soups as a first course of dinner, followed by the main dish that would usually involve some sort of meat with potatoes and veggie on the side.

However, nowadays I like to eat my soups for lunch with a toasted piece of good bread or baguette. It could also serve as a vegetarian dinner with a piece of bread and salad.

You could serve it chunky as I did here. Or you can blend it for a creamier version. If you want your soup chunky but a little thicker, you could pour a couple of ladles into a blender, blend it and add it back to the pot.

Brussels Sprouts Soup Recipe (European Style) (13)

Other Delicious European Soups to Try:

  • Rosol – Polish Chicken Soup
  • Polish Dill Pickle Soup
  • Hungarian Mushroom Soup
  • Instant Pot Bean Soup with Spinach and Pesto
  • Slow Cooker Cabbage Soup

Brussels Sprouts Soup Recipe (European Style) (14)

Brussels Sprouts Soup Recipe (European Style)

Brussels Sprouts Soup is an amazing dish that can be served from the end of summer throughout the cold winter months. It's very easy to make and tastes delicious. It can be served chunky or creamy, depending on your preferences, and accompanied with a piece of crusty bread.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Soup

Cuisine: European, Polish

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 264kcal

Author: Edyta

Ingredients

  • 1 Leek Cleaned and chopped
  • 2 stalks Celery Chopped
  • 3 Carrots Medium, chopped
  • 4 Yellow Potatoes Medium, chopped
  • 1 Parsnip Whole or chopped
  • 3 cups Brussels Sprouts Cleaned, outer leaves removed, whole or cut in half
  • 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Butter + optional more Extra Virgin Olive Oil for drizzling to finish up the soup
  • 5 cups Broth Chicken or vegetables
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
  • Lemon juice Optional, few drops into each bowl to enhance a flavor
  • Salt & Pepper To Taste
  • Maggi Seasoning Optional to taste

Instructions

Prepare your vegetables:

  • Peel and chop carrots;

  • Clean and chop your leek;

  • Peel and cube the potatoes;

  • Clean and chop celery;

  • Peel the parsnip (I use it whole and discard it at the end of cooking, but feel free to chop it like carrots and leave it in the soup);

  • Wash your Brussels sprouts, discard outer leaves, gently trim the ends (you can leave them whole or cut them in halves, making sure that stem is intact so they don't fall apart in the soup).

Cook the Soup:

  • In a Dutch Ovenor other pot with a lid, heat up butter or olive oil;

  • Add leeks and cook for about 3 minutes, until softened;

  • Add carrots and celery and cook for another 3-4 minutes;

  • Add Brussels Sprouts, potatoes and parsnip;

  • Pour in the broth, cover and cook for about 20-25 minutes, until all the veggies are cooked.

Finish up the Soup:

  • Pour the cream into a cup and slowly add some of the soup broth to temper the cream;

  • Once you have a full cup of liquid, pour it over into the pot;

  • Check for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper;

  • Garnish with parsley and serve with crusty bread.

  • For an extra flavor's boost add a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and a few drops of Maggie seasoning (all of which are optional).

Notes

Ways to Alter this Recipe

  • Vegan:you can easily make this recipe vegan by:
    • using olive oil and not butter;
    • skipping the cream;
    • for a thicker consistency, you could blend some of the soup.
  • With Meat:
    • Brussels sprouts go hand in hand with bacon, so you could fry up some bacon, chop it, and then add it to the bowls for serving;
    • Another good meat option would be seared, cubed ham; seared kielbasa, or other sausages.

Serving Suggestions:

  • You could serve it chunky;
  • Or you can blend it for a creamier version;
  • If you want your soup chunky but a little thicker, you could pour a couple of ladles into a blender, blend it and add it back to the pot.

Nutrition

Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 853mg | Potassium: 1028mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 6443IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 107mg | Iron: 6mg

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Brussels Sprouts Soup Recipe (European Style) (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak brussel sprouts before cooking? ›

The soak time tenderizes the sprouts so the middles are softer. Don't worry, they won't be soggy! I would never do that to you. If, like me, you don't mind some chew to your sprouts, you don't need to soak the Brussels sprouts prior to cooking.

Why aren't brussel sprouts bitter anymore? ›

Over the last twenty years, farmers have mellowed the "unpleasant" flavor of brussels sprouts by breeding a vegetable that contains fewer bitter compounds or glucosinolates. So, brussels sprouts just taste better than they used to when we were kids. The rub is that glucosinolates help protect sprouts against pests.

Do Brussels sprouts taste better than they used to? ›

But it turns out, my tastebuds didn't change. I recently discovered that brussels sprouts truly do taste better now than when I was a kid, thanks to science. About 30 years ago, a Dutch scientist identified the chemicals that made brussels sprouts bitter.

Should you cut Brussels sprouts in half before cooking? ›

To maximize the flat areas, which get the most crispy surface area, cut your Brussels sprouts in half. If your Brussels sprouts are very small, you can leave them whole (and if they are very large, quarter them).

Why not to boil brussel sprouts? ›

Steaming and boiling use moist heat, and moist heat can make Brussel Sprouts mushy and stinky—not a good combo. Give them the treatment they deserve by roasting them instead.

Why soak Brussels sprouts in salt water? ›

For best results, soak your Brussels sprouts in salt water. Not only does salt act to tenderize the dense sprouts, but it will also help to season them all the way through. It won't take a lot -- just add 1 tablespoon of salt per 1 quart of water and toss in trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts.

What makes brussel sprouts taste good? ›

Add the prepared Brussels sprouts to a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil. Add sliced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Toss to evenly coat.

How long should you soak Brussels sprouts in salt water? ›

Contributed by Whole Foods Market, Inc. To prepare, soak Brussels sprouts in a bowl of cold, salted water for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 400°F.

Why do brussel sprouts taste bad to me? ›

"People with certain genetic variants in the TAS2R38 gene can detect bitter taste more than others and therefore may be more likely to dislike sprouts,” 23andMe senior product scientist Alisa Lehman recently told the Daily Record. "There are many factors outside genetics that play a part in the foods we like.

Why do my Brussels sprouts taste weird? ›

If brussels sprouts taste bitter to you, you may have a gene that senses bitter compounds in brassicas. It is similar to the gene that makes cilantro taste like soap to the people who have it, and like a yummy herb to people who don't.

Why do my raw brussel sprouts smell bad? ›

However, because sprouts are young, actively growing parts of the plant, they have particularly high concentrations of Gsls. And the particular Gsls they contain are really bitter. and can turn into really sulfurous compounds. That's the root of these little balls.

What are the disadvantages of Brussels sprout? ›

Although a healthy vegetable, consuming too many Brussels sprouts can be unsuitable for people on anticoagulants since it contains vitamin K, which results in blood clotting. Another issue with consuming Brussels sprouts excessively is that it can lead to gas and bloating.

When not to use brussel sprouts? ›

If any of the leaves have brown spots or are yellowing, it's a sign of early spoilage. If you remove the blemished leaves and the interior looks OK, you can still use the sprout. However, if the interior leaves are also showing blemishes or yellowing, it's best to toss it (or compost it, if you can).

What is the bitter chemical in brussel sprouts? ›

The bitter taste of Brussels sprouts comes from compounds called glucosinolates and their degradation products, he explains. These bitter tasting compounds are an important part of the plant's defence mechanism against leaf-eating enemies, such as insects, nematodes, slugs, and herbivores, like pigeons and deer.

Why is brussel sprouts controversial? ›

Because PTC is prevalent in Brussels sprouts, these so-called "Supertasters" perceive them as intensely bitter. This is all connected to a taste-related gene called TAS2R38, which has a variant called AVI and one called PAV.

Why do you put a cross in the bottom of brussel sprouts? ›

The only preparation needed is to cut the stalks right back to the level of the leaves so you have little Brussels balls. Some people swear by cutting a cross in the bottom of each sprout, which they believe allows them to cook all through – but it's not necessary, and you'll save time if you don't.

Why put crosses on brussel sprouts? ›

In fact, the tradition of cutting a cross in the base of a sprout might have less to do with culinary technique and more to do with superstition. In Medieval times, it was believed that evil spirits and demons lived between the leaves of the vegetable, and they would enter anyone who ate them, making them ill.

Why avoid brussel sprouts? ›

Although a healthy vegetable, consuming too many Brussels sprouts can be unsuitable for people on anticoagulants since it contains vitamin K, which results in blood clotting. Another issue with consuming Brussels sprouts excessively is that it can lead to gas and bloating.

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