Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Dates and Almonds

This Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe with Dates and Almonds is brimming with sweet, savory, and nutty Mediterranean flavors. Ideal as a side dish for cool weather gatherings or holiday meals, it’s as nourishing as it is delicious.

Brussels sprouts are a favorite vegetable here at The Mediterranean Dish, whether sizzled in a skillet until crispy, grilled to a smoky char, shaved into a slaw, or employed as a warm salad topping. Of all the ways one can prepare them, roasting is my favorite.

The intense, dry heat of the oven performs a kind of magic, transforming these ordinary little cabbages by concentrating their inner sweetness and giving them a browned, crispy exterior that’s impossible to resist.

While roasted Brussels sprouts are tasty on their own, simply tossed with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper, this recipe adds to their appeal by layering in contrasting flavors and textures. Shallots add a peppery bite, while dates lend a chewy texture and intense sweetness. Toasted, sliced almonds provide the crunch, and a dressing made with orange zest, aromatic fresh thyme, and tangy apple cider vinegar elevates this dish to a new level of deliciousness. 

The flavors might be complex, but the preparation isn’t. While the sprouts are roasting, there’s plenty of time to assemble the rest of the ingredients. The whole recipe can be made in 30 minutes flat — not a lot of effort for a dish that’s elegant enough to play a role in your holiday spread.

Table of Contents

1. Ingredients for Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Dates and Almonds
2. How to Make Roasted Brussels Sprouts
3. How to Get Ahead
4. How to Toast Almonds
5. Swaps and Substitutions
6. What to Serve with Roasted Brussels Sprouts
7. More Brussels Sprout Recipes
8. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Dates and Almonds Recipe

Ingredients for Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Dates and Almonds

Whether sold loose, trimmed in a bag, or on a big, knobby stalk, fresh Brussels sprouts are the star ingredient here. A few other simple, fresh additions give them layers of flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to make this Mediterranean-influenced side dish:

• Sliced almonds, toasted until golden, add earthy flavor and a crunchy contrast. Because they are sliced, not chopped, they don’t fall to the bottom of the dish. You can also use slivered almonds. 
• Brussels sprouts Resembling miniature cabbages, Brussels sprouts have a sweet, nutty flavor. Roasting them brings out their natural sugars and minimizes any bitterness. Look for sprouts with tight heads and no brown spots or wilted leaves. I prefer medium-sized sprouts with a diameter of about an inch. If they are larger, you may want to quarter them to ensure even cooking. Leave smaller sprouts whole. 
• Extra virgin olive oil is essential for getting good, caramelized browning on the Brussels sprouts, and yes, it’s safe to cook with extra virgin olive oil at high heat! Try one of these high-quality options from our shop and read our full guide to Cooking with Olive Oil for more information. 
• Kosher salt and ground pepper enhance the flavor of the Brussels sprouts and add balance.
• Shallot: Sharp and peppery when raw, shallots become sweet when roasted. It’s a combination that works well, whether sizzled in a skillet or roasted in the oven
• Apple cider vinegar gives the dressing an acidic bite that contrasts with the sweet dates.
• Thyme adds an earthy, aromatic note to the dressing.
• Orange zest: The natural oils in the zest add a floral, citrusy aroma and flavor to the dressing. I also love the flavor of orange and dates together. 
• Deglet Noor dates have a rich, honey-like flavor. It’s easy to find them already pitted, and they have a firm texture that makes them easy to slice. Feel free to substitute other types of dates, such as the larger Medjool variety. 

How to Make Roasted Brussels Sprouts

This roasted Brussels sprouts recipe is ready in just 30 minutes and can be made in stages if you’re short on time or oven space. Though they start in a hot oven, the sprouts finish cooking in the residual heat of the oven after turning it off. Here it is step by step.

• Toast the almonds. Arrange a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread 1/4 cup sliced almonds on a small baking sheet and bake until they turn golden brown and smell toasty, about 8 to 10 minutes. 
• Prepare the Brussels sprouts. Raise the oven temperature to 450°F. Place 1 1/2 pounds trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts on a large, rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of freshly ground pepper. Toss until sprouts are completely coated with oil. Spread them in a single layer, arranging them cut side down. 
• Roast the Brussels sprouts. Place Brussels sprouts on the middle rack of the oven and roast until browned, 15 minutes. Remove from oven and stir in 1/4 cup thinly sliced shallots; toss to combine. Turn the oven off and return the Brussels sprouts to the oven. Continue cooking until shallots have softened and are beginning to brown, about 5 minutes more.
• Make the dressing. While the sprouts are roasting, combine 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest, and 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme in a small bowl. Season with a pinch of salt and ground pepper, and whisk together with a fork. Set aside. 
• Combine everything. Transfer the sprouts to a large serving bowl and toss with 1/3 cup thinly sliced dates, almonds, and dressing. Season again to taste with salt and pepper and serve. 

How to Get Ahead

If you’re serving this recipe as part of a holiday meal, you may have limited time or room in the oven on the big day. There are a couple of ways to get ahead of the game:

• Prep ingredients, roast later: Trim and slice the Brussels sprouts and make the dressing; refrigerate in separate containers overnight. Toast the almonds and store them at room temperature. Then, proceed with the recipe the next day.

• Roast and reheat: Roast the Brussels sprouts and shallots; then keep at room temperature on the pan for up to 2 hours. To serve, place the sheet pan in a 300°F oven until the sprouts are warmed through, about 10 minutes. Then, transfer to a serving dish and toss with dressing, dates, and almonds. Serve immediately.

How to Toast Almonds

Taking the time to roast the almonds for this recipe enhances their flavor, texture, and aroma.

To toast the almonds for this recipe or any other, preheat an oven or toaster oven to 350°F. Spread the nuts on a small baking sheet and bake them until they turn golden brown and smell toasty about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer them to a plate to cool. This same method works equally well for a variety of nuts, including almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, and pecans. 

Though you can easily toast pine nuts in a pan on the stovetop, I prefer to toast sliced almonds and larger nuts in an oven or a toaster oven so the heat can surround them entirely for the most even browning.

Swaps and Substitutions

I love the combination of Mediterranean flavors in this recipe, but you can tweak the ingredients to suit your preferences or use what you already have on hand in your pantry. Here are some ideas:

• Apple Cider Vinegar: While good quality extra virgin olive oil is essential, you can use different vinegars to add a touch of acid. Red wine or white wine vinegar would work well here.
• Almonds: Try roasted, chopped pistachios or hazelnuts instead of sliced almonds.
• Dates: Dried cranberries or chopped apricots would also be lovely.
• Orange: lemon

What to Serve with Roasted Brussels Sprouts

This side dish would be at home on any holiday table. Pair it with our Easy Dry Brined Thanksgiving Turkey and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes for an elegant holiday meal. 

But you don’t have to save it for a special occasion. It’s equally delicious with our Roast Spatchcock Chicken, which features similar flavors like sweet citrus and fragrant thyme. It also pairs well with fish, like this Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon.

More Brussels Sprout Recipes

Sides and Small Plates

Olive Oil Fried Brussels Sprouts with Mushrooms and Cranberries

Sides and Small Plates

Grilled Brussels Sprouts Skewers

Mediterranean Diet Recipes

Mediterranean-Style Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad

Mediterranean Diet Recipes

Crispy Olive Oil Fried Brussels Sprouts

Browse all Mediterranean recipes. 

Visit Our Shop.