How to Harvest Brussels Sprouts for the Best Flavor and Freshness

These brassicas are a nutrient-packed addition to many recipes.

brussels sprouts in garden — Credit:
Getty / Vlodymyr Plysiuk

Key Points

Growing and harvesting Brussels sprouts at the right time ensures the sweetest flavor and a healthy, abundant crop.
Brussels sprouts taste best after a light frost, which makes them sweeter, but you can also pick them earlier.
Start harvesting when sprouts reach about 1 inch wide, beginning from the bottom, and avoid waiting until they yellow or open.
You can pick a few sprouts for meals as needed, or cut the whole stalk when it’s mature and firm.

Brussels sprouts are a delight to grow in the garden and delicious to use in the kitchen. However, you'll want to harvest your crop at just the right time to get the best flavor. How do you know when your Brussels sprouts are ready—and what's the best way to go about this process? We asked the experts.

Jennifer Rensenbrink, master gardener volunteer with the University of Minnesota Extension
Travis Key, founder of Lazy Dog Farm

When to Harvest

Brussels sprouts need a long growing season, with some varieties requiring over 100 days to reach maturity—so they may still be maturing when the fall frosts arrive.

This isn't a bad thing, since these brassicas are fairly cold-hardy, and their flavor improves with the cold as the plant begins to create additional sugars as a defense response. "Ideally, Brussels sprouts are harvested after a light frost—they get sweeter with the cold weather," says master gardener Jennifer Rensenbrink. "But it's okay if you sneak some early. And you don't have to harvest the whole plant at once. Try a few from the bottom and see how they taste, and take it from there."

Pay attention to the estimated maturity date of the variety you planted. If the sprouts are turning yellow or beginning to open, you've waited too long. "I start harvesting sprouts near the bottom of the plant as soon as they are big enough to pick—think 1 inch or so in diameter at a minimum," says Rensenbrink. "I simply can't wait!"

How to Harvest

Once your Brussels sprouts have reached maturity, it's time to harvest them. Here's how to do it to ensure a successful, delicious crop.

Prune Throughout the Season

During the growing season, when the plant reaches about 2 feet tall, start pruning away the lower branches. You'll need to keep the upper leaves so the plant can photosynthesize, but removing lower leaves allows the plant to put more energy into developing the sprouts you want to harvest.

Start Harvesting

"Sometimes people wait too long to harvest, and the sprouts start to lose their firmness," says Rensenbrink. "If you have a few plants' worth of Brussels sprouts to get through, you could really start harvesting in late August. Do they taste even better when the weather cools off? Yes—but it's not totally necessary."

Harvest a Few at a Time

If you're looking for just enough Brussels sprouts for a single meal, you can harvest only as many as you need. Choose firm sprouts about 1 to 2 inches in diameter. You can use a twisting or pulling motion to harvest the sprouts, or you can cut them off.

You can also harvest the entire stalk. Simply cut off the entire plant at ground level. You'll need large clippers or a lopper, as the stalk can be quite thick.

How to Store

Brussels sprouts are best stored in the refrigerator. "One common mistake people make is washing them right after harvesting," says Travis Key, the founder of Lazy Dog Farm. "[Instead], place them in a bag in the fridge. Only wash them right before you plan to cook them."

For the best flavor, aim to use your Brussels sprouts within three to four days.

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