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. It's not always necessary but we think it works here to create a soft middle and crisp exterior in the pan.

Why do you soak Brussels sprouts? ›

Soaking Brussels sprouts in water is a terrific way to prep them to have a soft, juicy center that cooks to the perfect doneness in the same amount of time it takes those outer leaves to get nice and crispy.

Why are my Brussel Sprouts soggy? ›

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.

What happens if you don t blanch brussel sprouts before freezing? ›

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.

Should I cut brussel sprouts in half before blanching? ›

Prepare the vegetables: leave them whole or cut them in half if large, then blanch them in salted boiling water until crisp-tender (al dente), about 4 min. Drain well, then serve.

What gives Brussels sprouts a better taste? ›

In the late 1990s scientists identified specific chemicals, called glucosinolates, that made Brussels sprouts taste bitter. Plant breeders started growing old seeds, previously discarded for producing paltry harvests, to identify tastier versions with lower levels of these compounds.

Is it OK to eat Brussels sprouts everyday? ›

Is it OK to eat Brussels sprouts everyday? Go for it. “If you enjoy sprouts and can tolerate them, absolutely! They're lower in calories and contain a myriad of important nutrients” says Snyder.

Why do I feel so good after eating Brussel Sprouts? ›

Brussels sprouts are a source of fiber and may reduce inflammation. This cruciferous vegetable offers nutrients, including antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.

Why won't my Brussels sprouts get crispy? ›

1. Roasting at a low heat. If you want your roasted Brussels sprouts to be seriously crispy, you need to crank up the heat. Roasting at a low temperature won't allow them to brown properly, so you want to get that oven nice and hot before tossing in your baking sheet.

What happens if you don't wash brussel sprouts? ›

It's important to wash Brussels sprouts before you eat them to get rid of dirt, bugs, pesticide residue, and bacteria. Luckily, it's easy to wash these delicious vegetables.

Do you need to rinse Brussels sprouts before cooking? ›

Wash sprouts under cold running water and remove any leaves or yellow spots you may see. Place sprouts in a pot and cook for about 10-15 minutes. Sprouts are done when a knife will easily cut through them. Season with butter, salt, and pepper to taste.

Do you cook Brussels sprouts up or down? ›

Roast 'em! Our two rules: place and space! Place them cut side down to create that slightly crunchy exterior and soft interior. Space them out evenly so they don't steam–a crowded sheet pan party is not where your brussels want to be.

Is it better to roast Brussels sprouts whole or halved? ›

While you can make roasted Brussels sprouts whole or halved, I recommend trimming and halving them for this easy recipe. To trim: Using a knife, trim off the bottom of the tough stem end of each Brussels sprout. Then, remove any yellow or damaged leaves, and cut each Brussels sprout in half lengthwise.

What takes the bitterness out of brussel sprouts? ›

One technique for mitigating bitterness in Brussels sprouts is to blanch them. (This technique also works for making collard greens less bitter, as well as other greens.) Blanching involves adding your veg to boiling water for a brief period, then plunging it into an ice bath to stop the cooking process.

Is blanching Brussels sprouts necessary? ›

Like all cabbages, Brussels are unavoidably fibrous and dense. You must overcome this by either cooking them in salty water until fork tender (blanching), or by roasting at a high (over 425F) temperature for upwards of 20 minutes. To guarantee great texture, do both!

Do you need to trim brussel sprouts before cooking? ›

No matter how you're going to cook your Brussels sprouts, you'll want to trim them first.

Should you boil Brussels sprouts before roasting them? ›

Brussels sprouts are quite dense little vegetables, so parboiling them gives you a headstart on the cooking process. It is especially helpful for dishes involving grilled or roasted Brussels sprouts, because it softens them in the middle.

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