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Wok Stir-Fried Brussels Sprouts

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Perfectly cooked stir-fried Brussels sprouts from your wok in a fraction of the time that it would take to oven-roast them. Buttery, garlicky and slightly caramelized on the outside yet tender on the inside.

Stir-fried Brussels sprouts in a wok

Stir-frying Brussels sprouts in a wok is a great alternative to roasting them in the oven. They take a fraction of the time, and I would even argue that they taste better! They’re tender on the inside but not too mushy. On the outside, they’re so buttery and perfectly caramelized for that extra flavor.

The secret to cooking Brussels sprouts in a wok is to use a bit of water to help steam them right in the wok. This will ensure that the inside is properly cooked. Once the water evaporates, they will then be able to caramelize beautifully on the outside.

This is a side dish that frequently makes its way to our dinner table here at our house. It’s so easy, convenient, and pairs with just about any dish!

You can use a wide variety of seasoning and spices, but my go-to is salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Depending on the main dish that you’ll be pairing the sprouts with, you can add a bit of rosemary, thyme, crushed red pepper, or even a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or fresh lemon juice to finish.

TIP: You can add carrots to this recipe for some color and sweetness. By cutting them into approximately 1/4-inch pieces, they will have the same cooking time as the Brussels sprouts.

How to Stir-Fry Brussels Sprouts in a Wok

Rinse 1 1/2 pounds of fresh Brussels sprouts, trim the stems, then cut them into halves.

rinsed Brussels sprouts in a colander

Melt 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) of butter in a wok over medium-high heat.

melted butted in a wok

Add all of the Brussels sprouts to the wok, then stir-fry to coat the sprouts in the melted butter.

stir fried brussels sprouts in a wok

Pour 1/2 cup of water over the sprouts. If your Brussels sprouts are very small, you can use less water here.

pouring water over brussels sprouts in a wok

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Stir occasionally to allow the water to evaporate. The water will help steam the Brussels sprouts so that they are perfectly cooked on the inside.

wok stir fried Brussels sprouts

When you can see that the water has evaporated (this usually takes about 8 – 10 minutes), spread the Brussels sprouts into a single layer in your wok, then allow the sprouts to sit untouched for about a minute. This will help it caramelize slightly, giving it that extra flavor.

Stir, then let it sit untouched for another minute to caramelize even more of the sprouts.

caramelized brussels sprouts in a wok

Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.

If you would like to use fresh garlic in place of garlic powder, I recommend adding the fresh minced garlic to the wok with the sprouts at the beginning before adding the water.

pouring garlic powder over stir-fried brussels sprouts

Transfer to a serving plate, then serve with your favorite main dish. Enjoy!

Wok Stir-Fried Brussels Sprouts

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen Brussels sprouts?

Yes, you can use frozen Brussels sprouts, but keep in mind that frozen Brussels sprouts tend be soft in the center already, so I would use less water to help steam the sprouts so they don’t get too mushy.

Can I use a cast-iron skillet instead of a wok for this recipe?

Yes, absolutely. However, I find using a wok more convenient as you have much more room to work with when stir-frying. A skillet will work, though, as long as it is large enough.

What if I want to add bacon to this recipe?

Cut the bacon into 1/4-inch pieces, then fry them in the wok till just before they get crispy. Remove the bacon from the wok, then add the butter, followed by the sprouts, etc. Return the bacon to the wok after the Brussels sprouts have caramelized.

Jumped straight here to the recipe? Please consider coming back to read the whole post when you have the time as I have included step-by-step instructions with photos.

Wok Stir-Fried Brussels Sprouts

Wok Stir-Fried Brussels Sprouts

Perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts from your wok in a fraction of the time that it would take to oven-roast them. Buttery, garlicky and slightly caramelized on the outside yet tender on the inside.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick)
  • 1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts trimmed, cut into halves
  • ½ cup water
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • garlic powder to taste

Instructions
 

  • Melt the butter in your wok over medium-high heat.
  • Add the Brussels sprouts, then stir-fry to coat the sprouts in the melted butter.
  • Pour the water over the sprouts.
  • Stir occasionally, allowing the water to evaporate. The water will help steam the brussels sprouts so that they are perfectly cooked on the inside.
  • When you can see that the water has evaporated (about 8 – 10 minutes), spread the brussels sprouts into a single layer in your wok, then allow the sprouts to sit untouched for about a minute. 
  • Stir, then let it sit untouched for another minute to caramelize even more of the sprouts.
  • Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
  • Serve with your favorite main dish. Enjoy!

Notes

Tip: You can also add carrots (cut into approximately 1/4 inch pieces) as they will have the same cooking time as the Brussels sprouts and contribute so much flavor!

Nutrition

Calories: 174kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 6gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 144mgPotassium: 665mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1632IUVitamin C: 145mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 2mg
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5 from 1 vote
Recipe Rating




Corinne Giglio

Monday 18th of September 2023

Made this tonight. My husband and I absolutely love it. DELISH. Definitely a keeper. Thank you!

Char

Tuesday 19th of September 2023

I’m so happy to hear that, Corrine! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave this comment. It is very much appreciated.