Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Mom's Chili Fish Sauce (2024)

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by Todd + Diane

We made these crispy fried brussels sprouts for holiday meals and Mom approves. Yay! Honestly, the chili fish sauce is the secret ingredients and it’s not just delicious on brussels sprouts. Take this sauce over any vegetables or simple meats and the meal will explode with flavor.

Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Mom's Chili Fish Sauce (1)

Crispy Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Finally, I think Mom approves of this fried brussels sprouts recipe. Or at least she’ll loves my hacked version of her chili fish sauce. You see, I’ve been known to break many culinary rules. Mom has pretty much warmed up to my kitchen shenanigans and fiendish ways of using fish sauce. Seriously, who would take a traditional Vietnamese spring roll and make a BLT out of it? I did. She also raised both eye brows when I told her that I made a fried egg Vietnamese sandwich called a “Bang Me”. Oh please, it’s just a sandwich. A freaking good one, at that. And last but not least, I took her beloved pork banh mi and made little tapas, open faced bites out of it. She actually giggled about that one.

I love to make kitchen trouble. Or trouble in the kitchen. Or at least anything that has to do with fish sauce. It’s in my blood, I tell ya.

Make this flavorful brussels sprouts recipe. Please.

My friends, you must make this and support me. If you like it, I’ll collect all your positive responses and show Mom that I’m not all that crazy. And if you don’t like it, then you’re a bit crazy too because fried brussels sprouts and fish sauce is a delicious combination. A match made in brussels sprouts heaven. Update: Click here for more fabulousBrussels Sprouts Recipes.

Inspiration for Great Asian Flavors in Brussels

It started back in 2011 when we ate our way through Austin IACP and had our minds blown at East Side King. His version of crispy brussels sprouts was out of this world. Circle around again to 2013 when we were at BlogHer Food Austin, we experienced another addictive version of crispy fried brussels sprouts at Uchiko and again at East Side King. We just had to do a double take on crispy brussels sprouts in two different restaurants because we just couldn’t get enough.

Now the cravings start to come around again and the cheapest way to indulge in this dish is to make it at home, rather than to fly out to Austin. The crispy fried brussels sprouts is a must for anyone who haven’t plunged their brussels sprouts into hot oil yet. The deep fried flavor and crispy outside, slight charred leaves of the brussels sprouts is a flavor that’s hard to describe. Add on top of that, my hacked (corn starch thickened) version of Mom’s Chili Fish sauce and what you have is about 2 pounds of goodness that you will want to eat all by yourself.

Best Fish Sauce Brussels Sprouts

You can’t go wrong on this recipe if you like fried brussels sprouts. And if you love fish sauce and if you don’t care about calories, even better. Plunge your brussels sprouts in hot oil, I tell ya! Do it, try it and trust me. I also love the chili fish sauce so much that I might fry a batch of potatoes and toss this addictive sauce on top. Next post! Enjoy! -Diane

How Long to Cook Brussels Sprouts

Note on cooking times. Brussels sprouts can very tremendously in size. They range from the size of a large egg to as small as a 5-cent coin. Make sure to adjust your cooking times depending on the size that you end up cooking. Also, try to select all the same sizes for consistent cooking.

Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Mom's Chili Fish Sauce (5)

Crispy Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Mom’s Chili Fish Sauce

Yield: 4 Servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

You might have some left over chili fish sauce dip, but that's ok. Save it for your next batch of fried brussels sprouts, egg rolls, fresh fries or even baste the sauce on steak or chicken. Brussels Sprouts can very tremendously in size. Depending on your size of brussels sprouts, cut them to appropriate bite sized pieces. If your brussels sprouts are small, cut them in half. If they are very large, cut them in quarters. How ever you decide to cut them, make sure they're all about the same size so that they can cook evenly in the hot oil.

4.89 from 9 votes

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound brussels sprouts , ends trimmed and quartered
  • oil for frying

For Chili Fish Sauce

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 Tablespoons fish sauce (use Tamari for Gluten Free)
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 fresh thai or jalapeno chili , minced (or to personal taste)
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic , about 3 large cloves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

For slurry:

  • 1 Tablespoon corn starch
  • 1 Tablespoon water

Instructions

  • Make the Chili Fish Sauce: Combine all chili fish sauce ingredients in a medium sauce pan. Bring the sauce to a boil. As the sauce is coming to a boil, make the corn starch slurry by combining the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Make sure to stir the slurry well and break up any lumps of cornstarch.

  • When the fish sauce comes to a boil, gently stir in the corn starch slurry. Slowly stir the sauce until it thickens. Once the chili fish sauce thickens, turn off heat. Allow chili fish sauce to cool.

  • Fry the Brussels Sprouts: In a large work, deep pot or dutch oven, fill oil to about two inches high. Heat the oil to about 350-375°F. Test the oil by frying one piece of brussels sprouts first. If it sizzles and cooks quickly, then the oil is ready.

  • Fry the Brussels sprouts in batches, so start by frying about 1/4 of the brussels sprouts till they are golden brown. Remove them from oil and blot them on paper towels to remove excess oil. Repeat the frying for the rest of the brussels sprouts.

  • Once all brussels sprouts are fried and crispy, combine them in a large bowl. Toss the crispy brussels sprouts with the chili fish sauce and serve warm.

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 243kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Sodium: 2338mg, Potassium: 1003mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 1720IU, Vitamin C: 198mg, Calcium: 122mg, Iron: 4mg

Course: Side Dish, Vegetables

Cuisine: Fried Foods, Vegetable

Calories: 243

More Brussles Sprouts Recipes

  • Click here for our complete collection of brussels sprouts recipes
  • Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Gratin
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Sriracha and Mint
  • Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Fish Sauce and Lime
  • Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Vinegar
  • Air fryer brussels sprouts
  • Braised brussels sprouts with bacon and shallots
  • Garlic roasted brussels sprouts with lemon mustard parsley dressing
  • Baked brussels sprouts with parmesan cheese

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Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Mom's Chili Fish Sauce (6)

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28 comments on “Crispy Fried Brussels Sprouts with Mom’s Chili Fish Sauce”

  1. Lisa August 20, 2014 @ 1:32 pm Reply

    Could you roast the brussel sprouts instead of frying them?

    • White on Rice Couple September 9, 2014 @ 4:57 pm Reply

      Hi Lisa,
      Sure. The texture would be a bit different, but the sauce would be great on a roasted brussels sprouts, too.

  2. Jake June 3, 2014 @ 7:22 am Reply

    Any chance this could be made with frozen brussels sprouts?

    • White on Rice Couple June 24, 2014 @ 9:51 pm Reply

      We aren’t sure. Probably but we haven’t ever tried. You might need to soak up any excess water from the frozen brussels sprouts. If you give it a shot we’d love to hear how it comes out.

  3. bta January 30, 2014 @ 10:00 am Reply

    i pan fried the brussel sprouts instead, and they were so yummy! (also, i think the fish sauce i used was a little saltier than normal, so next time i’d adjust the water/fish sauce ratio.)Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Mom's Chili Fish Sauce (9)

  4. Monique December 12, 2013 @ 6:43 pm Reply

    I just tried this for the first time and it is AWESOME and tastes wonderful. I live in Austin and to be able to cook this dish so perfectly made me proud.
    The oil I used was sunflower because i just wasn’t sure and it tasted very light.Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Mom's Chili Fish Sauce (10)

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Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Mom's Chili Fish Sauce (2024)

FAQs

Do you need to blanch Brussel sprouts before frying? ›

Parboiling Brussels sprouts before frying is a good technique to ensure they cook evenly and become tender on the inside while allowing for a crispy exterior when fried. However, it's not always necessary but we think it works here to create a soft middle and crisp exterior in the pan.

How to cook Brussel sprouts so they don t hurt your stomach? ›

Roasting, steaming, or sautéing them can help break down some of the fibers and make them gentler on the stomach compared to consuming them raw. Moderation: Start with small amounts to see how your body reacts.

How can I improve the taste of Brussels sprouts? ›

but we do know that salt takes down the bitterness of Brussels sprouts. It's not entirely clear how or why salt counters bitterness, but it does. Make sure you salt Brussels sprouts at the beginning of the cooking process. And then go in with a good pinch of sea salt or kosher salt before serving.

Are deep fried Brussel sprouts good for you? ›

No, these are not the most healthy greens to eat for dinner, but if you want an extra crunch as a side these are perfect! These crispy Brussels sprouts taste more in-line with a healthier version of potato chips than your traditional roasted Brussels sprouts, which we typically cook at home.

Should I boil my brussel sprouts before frying? ›

Your first step should always be to blanch the brussels sprouts. This is basically when they get submerged in boiling water just for a few minutes, not until they're fully cooked, but just enough to take away some of the bitterness. Blanching also softens them and preserves their beautiful bright green color.

Why do you soak brussel sprouts before cooking? ›

It turns out that giving Brussels sprouts a good soak can help them to cook evenly throughout. Not only will the sprouts have a better texture after being soaked, but you won't have to choose between burning the outside and undercooking the inside.

Why does my stomach hurt so bad after eating brussel sprouts? ›

Like other cruciferous veggies, Brussels sprouts have a type of carbohydrate that your body can't easily break down. This can cause you to have belly pain, gas, and either diarrhea or constipation.

What do brussel sprouts do to your stomach? ›

Brussels sprouts are a high-fibre food, which for most of us is highly beneficial – it supports the digestive process and provides a fuel source for the healthy bacteria which reside in our gut.

Is eating too much brussel sprouts bad for you? ›

Another issue with consuming Brussels sprouts excessively is that it can lead to gas and bloating.

Why won't my brussel sprouts get crispy? ›

Roast the Brussels Sprouts at high heat

If you don't hear them crisping up in the oven, add a little more oil and roast them for a few more minutes until your desire crispiness is achieved!

When should you not eat brussel sprouts? ›

Throw out fresh brussel sprouts that have a foul odor, yellow or wilted leaves, a mushy or slimy texture, or dark spots. Use fresh brussel sprouts within 1–2 weeks of getting them. Store the brussel sprouts in a plastic bag inside your fridge, and wash them before cooking them.

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).

How many brussel sprouts can you eat a day? ›

A ½ cup of Brussels sprouts is a good source of Vitamin K (137% RDI) and Vitamin C (81% RDI) Kids, Ages 5-12 Teens and Adults, Ages 13 and up Males 2½-5 cups per day 42 - 6½ cups per day Females 2½-5 cups per day 3½-5 cups per day *If you are active, eat the higher number of cups per day.

How long should I blanch brussel sprouts? ›

Sort and blanch the Brussels sprouts.

Blanch small sprouts for 3 minutes, medium for 4 minutes, and large for 5 minutes. Plunge the blanched sprouts in the ice water to stop the cooking process, then move them to a clean kitchen towel and pat dry — you want them as dry as possible before freezing.

How long to blanch brussel sprouts before sauteing? ›

Keep Brussel sprouts whole and separate them by size. Blanch the large sprouts for 5 minutes, the medium sprouts for 4 minutes, and the small sprouts for 3 minutes. Step 5. Remove Brussels sprouts from the heat and immediately transfer to ice water to halt the cooking process.

What happens if you freeze brussel sprouts without blanching? ›

Can you freeze raw Brussels sprouts without blanching? You can you freeze uncooked Brussels sprouts, but you'll need to be aware that they may be a little softer than if you blanched them (so keep an eye on the cooking time). Plus, they won't keep in the freezer for as long.

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