Brussel Sprout Tacos

Name: Brussel Sprout Tacos
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 3
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 ripe avocados; 2 tbsp Juice of one lime (or about ); 0.5 tsp kosher salt; dash of black pepper; 2 lb Brussel sprouts, halved; avocado oil; kosher salt; 1 large or 2 medium-sized red onions, sliced; corn tortillas; cilantro; hot sauce; sour cream; extra lime juice; cotija cheese

You might be reading this and thinking … “Really? Brussel sprouts?” But let me tell you… you won’t regret trying these! I first tried Brussel sprout tacos at a local restaurant and loved them so much, I decided to try my hand at replicating the dish. The following is my version.

Step 1

Start by making the avocado spread. (You can also do this several hours beforehand and store in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.) Take your avocados and mash them with a spoon until in a bowl. Add the lime, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Set aside.

Step 2

Heat your oven to 425 degrees.

Step 3

Place your Brussel sprouts in a bowl. Lather with a generous amount of avocado oil (1 - 1 1/2 tbsp), 1 tsp kosher salt, and a dash of black pepper. Stir to combine. Then place on a baking sheet, putting the Brussel sprouts face down.

Step 4

Roast for about 30 minutes or until browned and thoroughly cooked through, stirring them halfway through roasting.

Step 5

In the meantime, heat one tbsp of avocado oil in a medium sized pan over medium heat. When shimmering, add your red onions. Cook until caramelized, about 20 - 25 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 6

While both your Brussel sprouts and onions are cooking, heat your corn tortillas one by one in a pan over medium heat for 30 seconds to 1 minute, just long enough that’s it’s warm and slightly toasted. Keep warm with aluminum foil so they retain their heat before it’s time to serve. I also like to take this time to take out all my condiments and sides so they're ready for serving time.

Step 7

When you’re ready to serve, take a corn tortilla and spread it with some of the avocado spread. You can use as much or as little as you like.

Step 8

Next, add your Brussel sprouts, caramelized onions, and anything else you like: sour cream, cotija cheese, radishes, cilantro, hot sauce. Once you have all of your tacos compiled the way you like them, squeeze a little lime on top of everything.

After much experimentation, I opted to create an ‘avocado spread’ instead of guacamole for these, only using salt, pepper, and lime for flavor. If you have extra guacamole lying around, or think these would taste better with it, who am I to stop you?

Like all tacos, the world is your oyster when it comes to your toppings. While taste testing, my family and I preferred what is listed below: cilantro, hot sauce, sour cream, and a squeeze of lime. That list is by no means finite. Have fun with it and make the dish speak to your taste preferences.

If you don’t have avocado oil, or just don’t care to use it, olive or vegetable oil will do just as well.

How do I properly roast Brussel sprouts for tacos?

To roast Brussel sprouts for tacos, preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Halve the Brussel sprouts and toss them in a bowl with avocado oil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Spread them face down on a baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they are browned and cooked through.

Can I make the avocado spread ahead of time for my Brussel sprout tacos?

Yes, you can prepare the avocado spread ahead of time! Simply mash ripe avocados with lime juice, kosher salt, and black pepper, then store it in the fridge until you're ready to assemble your tacos. This makes for a quick and easy meal when you're ready to cook.

What are some good substitutions for ingredients in Brussel sprout tacos?

If you're looking for substitutions, you can replace avocado oil with olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice. For the cotija cheese, feta cheese can be a good alternative. If you're avoiding dairy, consider using a dairy-free sour cream or skipping it altogether.

How should I store leftover Brussel sprout tacos?

To store leftover Brussel sprout tacos, keep the components separate. Store the roasted Brussel sprouts and caramelized onions in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or on the stovetop before assembling your tacos again.

What toppings pair well with Brussel sprout tacos?

Brussel sprout tacos pair wonderfully with a variety of toppings! Consider adding fresh cilantro, radishes, hot sauce, sour cream, or cotija cheese. A squeeze of lime juice on top adds a refreshing touch that complements the flavors beautifully.