Christmas is just around the corner (yay!! I am SOO excited!!), and whether you celebrate or not, you’ll want to try this easy, nutrient-packed, and delicious side dish. There aren’t too many dishes that look just as festive as they taste, but this one does! The simple flavors come together so well – the tart cranberries are balanced out by the sweet maple syrup, the buttery walnuts, and the hint of acidity from the orange zest and apple cider vinegar. I first made this two years ago for my family Christmas, and it was a great way to add some veggies (and color!) to the table without sacrificing flavor. It fits in great with a standard holiday meal, but I have to say I enjoyed this just as much as a side for a “regular” meal last weekend! 
Christmas Cranberry-Orange Brussels Sprouts
Serves 3 (easy to multiply or divide!)
Ingredients
- 3/4 – 1 lb Brussels sprouts (I used 0.85 lb before removing the stem and the outer leaves)
- 2/3 cup fresh, whole cranberries
- zest of one medium-sized orange
- 3 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
- pinch of salt and pepper
- 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Remove the bottom piece of the stem of each Brussels sprout, and remove a few of the outer leaves. Chop Brussels sprouts in half or quarters, depending on their size. Lay chopped Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet lined with foil and sprayed with cooking spray. Spray cooking spray (or olive oil) on top of the Brussels sprouts, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put in oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove pan, and sprinkle cranberries on top of Brussels sprouts. Zest one orange on top of sprouts and cranberries. Return to oven for 7 minutes.
- Sprinkle walnuts on pan, and return to oven for 3 more minutes (20 minutes total).
- Meanwhile, whisk together maple syrup and apple cider vinegar.
- When Brussels sprouts are finished cooking, place in serving dish and drizzle syrup mixture on top.
- Stir, and enjoy!
If made according to this recipe (for 3 servings), each serving will have 131 calories, 5g fat, 15g carbs, and 6g protein.
So tell me in the comments … What’s your favorite holiday side dish? Can you think of any other foods or food combinations that are green and red? (I can only think of M&Ms, the three berry-filled salads that I mentioned in this post, and watermelon … what a random combination!)
I skipped them because everything was planned out. Wish I grabbed them now because this is quick and easy and looks fantastic. Have never really gotten into it. But two things just made me smile thinking about summer dishes for Christmas. The favorite holiday side dish is actually hashbrowns. We always eat them for breakfast on Christmas, and I look forward to them all year.
Wow, looks great … I was at Wegman’s today picking up loads of stuff for Christmas and the next two weeks, and they had a big bag of Brussels Sprouts at a decent price … I skipped them because everything was planned out. Wish I grabbed them now, because this is quick and easy and looks fantastic (would just have to kill Walnuts and substitute for apple cider vinegar due to Lisa’s food allergies)
I can never get through a whole recipe that Lisa could have, huh? You guys must be the masters at food substitutions!
We really are – I can (and do) eat pretty much anything, but yesterday Lisa ate a cookie from someone at work that had no nuts, but was carried along with nut-filled cookies … and still ended up with a Benadryl. Hormone changes throughout life apparently also mess with allergies … fun stuff! 🙂
Pomengranates are another great red food! But this looks delicious.
Thanks, Danielle!
The minute brusselS sprouts goes down in price ($11.99 a kilo…) I will be giving this a go- Brussels were voted the most hated vegetable in Australia. Fail.
Favourite holiday dish is this Summer potato salad- mixed with gherkins, mayo, salt and pepper. So simple yet so good!
I am just NOT a potato salad girl. Have never really gotten into it. But two things just made me smile – thinking about summer dishes for Christmas, AND the word “gherkins” … such a strange one!
I made something super similar to this! Posted on Instagram 🙂 love brussels and cranberry and orange. Hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends… merry Christmas! xo
Yikes, it seems to be a popular flavor combo! Ever since I’ve made it, I keep noticing it popping up everywhere! Thanks for the Christmas wishes! It was amazing!
You are the Brussels sprouts QUEEN!
Favorite holiday side dish is actually hashbrowns. We always eat them for breakfast on Christmas, and I look forward to them all year. I can’t seem to cook them as well as my fam can!
Hope you loved your hashbrowns!!!