Brits 'should prep Christmas dinner sprouts now' with easy 'upside-down' method

Christmas dinner preparation is looming and, as tradition dictates, Brussels sprouts will likely spark debates across dining tables nationwide. But for those who typically turn their noses up at the humble green vegetable, an award-winning chef has revealed her secret into transforming them into crispy, full of flavour delights.

Explaining that you will need two added ingredients, Jade Greenhalgh took to TikTok where she promised in a video: "Don't boil your sprouts – do this instead and there will never be another sprout left on the plate." Dubbing her creation "upside down sprouts", Jade insists her technique is "incredibly easy" and allows busy cooks to prep everything beforehand, storing it in the fridge until it's time to put the sprouts in the oven.

"All you need to do is make a flavoured butter and then you're going to spread that all over your baking tray," she explained.

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Next in her clip, Jade peels her Christmas dinner sprouts before slicing them in half and positioning them cut-side down onto the buttery base.

"Then we just cover in foil and bake, and basically they steam in the butter and they are so incredibly delicious," she revealed, recommending a 190C oven temperature for 25-35 minutes until they're perfectly fork-tender.

For an extra indulgent twist, Jade suggests throwing in some bacon bits, saying: "I just chopped it up so I could sprinkle it over," she outlined. "You could also roast some chestnuts - but they [sprouts] are that simple - you will never boil one again."

Regarding the bacon preparation, Jade advised: "At the same time [as the sprouts], add the bacon to an oven tray and bake for 20-25 minutes until crispy. Leave to cool on an angle to drain the fat away, once cooked this will turn crispy and create your bacon crumb."

Jade closed by listing all the essentials - sufficient portions for four to six diners, featuring softened butter, garlic, thyme salt and streaky bacon. For the complete breakdown of ingredients and quantities, make sure to visit Jade's original post.

She also advised: "Additional ingredients you can use in the butter- finely chopped chestnuts, lemon zest, honey, miso paste."

Responding to Jade's tutorial, one TikTok follower enthused: "I am definitely going to give this a try. Thanks so much for sharing."

Meanwhile, another viewer commented: "These look lush, will be trying them this way this year... love sprouts!"

A third contributor shared their own technique, revealing: "I fry mine with bacon, garlic and white wine, cook for 10 minutes then add stock and cook low on simmer reducing stock till sweet and sticky."

Whilst a fourth TikTok user replied: "The only thing missing are the chestnuts! Bacon, sprouts and chestnuts - a partnership made in heaven."