Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Goat Cheese & Pomegranate

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This gorgeous warm salad with nutty roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet-tart pomegranate seeds and creamy goat cheese is perfect for any winter meal—from a weeknight dinner to Christmas dinner or any other holiday celebration.

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Prep Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
3 cups

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Goat Cheese & Pomegranate is the salad you need on the table—easy enough for weeknights and beautiful enough for a holiday gathering. Fiber-rich Brussels sprouts are tossed with aromatic shallots in heart-healthy extra-virgin olive oil and roasted to perfection. When you take them out of the oven, they are tossed with tangy goat cheese, softening it just enough to marry with the veggies. The tart, sweet pomegranate arils pop in every bite and are a refreshing surprise, a genuinely festive delight. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to prep your veggies and what to do with any leftover pomegranate arils.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Slicing Brussels sprouts in half helps them cook faster and reduces the bitterness typically found in the center.
  • When roasting Brussels sprouts, spread them out on the pan with some space between them. This will ensure they get crispy instead of steaming and becoming mushy.
  • You can keep a fresh whole pomegranate on the counter for about 3 days, but if you want it to last up to 3 months, store it in the refrigerator.
  • If you have more pomegranate arils than you need for this recipe, add them to yogurt, oatmeal, muesli or a green salad.

Nutrition Notes

  • Brussels sprouts are part of the cruciferous vegetable family and that means that you'll get all of the heart-healthy benefits that come with this group of veggies. These types of vegetables contain compounds called nitrates, which are converted to nitric oxide in the body, which can help lower blood pressure by widening your blood vessels. Keep vegetables like Brussels sprouts as a part of your regular diet to reap all of the heart-healthy benefits.
  • Goat cheese is a smart addition because it adds to the filling nature of this salad. The Brussels sprouts provide satiating fiber, and the goat cheese adds some protein to this delicious side—two nutrients that help you feel fuller for longer. One serving of goat cheese has as much protein as a serving of nuts!
  • Pomegranate arils are the juicy and sweet seeds of the pomegranate fruit. These little seeds are rich in antioxidants, which can help lower inflammation. They also contain fiber, which is beneficial for digestive and heart health. They are a lovely addition to cold salads and warm vegetable salad recipes like this one.
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved

  • 1 large shallot, sliced

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 2-3 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar

  • cup crumbled goat cheese

  • ¼ cup pomegranate seeds

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 1 pound of Brussels sprouts with 1 large sliced shallot, 1 tablespoon oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Spread on a large rimmed baking sheet.

  2. Roast the Brussels sprouts until tender, 20 to 22 minutes. Return to the bowl and toss with 2 to 3 tablespoons vinegar to taste. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup goat cheese and 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds.

To make ahead

Remove the pomegranate arils up to 3 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze them for up to 3 months. Additionally, roast the Brussels sprouts beforehand and keep them in the fridge for about 3 days. Just before serving, reheat the Brussels sprouts using the same method you used to cook them, and then add the remaining ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What's the best way to trim Brussel's sprouts?

    Start by addressing the stem end of the sprout. Cut off a thin slice, being careful not to cut all the way through the stem so that the sprout remains intact. Remove any discolored leaves. Rinse the sprouts thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt, and then slice them in half.

  • What’s the best way to choose a ripe pomegranate?

    The pomegranate should feel heavy in your hand, and the skin should be deep red and smooth This will help ensure you’re getting the juiciest, sweet-tart arils.

  • How should I cut a pomegranate?

    You will need a plastic cutting board that won’t stain, a large bowl filled with water and a colander. Start by cutting a thin slice off the blossom end of the pomegranate, exposing just the tops of some of the arils. Next, score the skin along the six natural ridges. Carefully break the pomegranate apart over the bowl of water, separating the arils from the pith and skin. Rinse the arils until only the seeds remain.

  • How should I store leftovers?

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, where they will keep for 3 to 4 days. If you anticipate having leftovers, consider storing the Brussels sprouts separately from the pomegranate arils and goat cheese. This way, you can easily reheat the sprouts without compromising the other ingredients.

  • What should I serve with this Roasted Brussels Sprouts side dish?

EatingWell.com, December 2019

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

117 Calories
6g Fat
14g Carbs
6g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 3/4 cup
Calories 117
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 5g 17%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 6g 12%
Total Fat 6g 7%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 4mg 1%
Vitamin A 1007IU 20%
Vitamin C 98mg 109%
Folate 76mcg 19%
Sodium 216mg 9%
Calcium 64mg 5%
Iron 2mg 11%
Magnesium 30mg 7%
Potassium 491mg 10%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.

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