An Adult’s Guide to Finally Learning to Like Vegetables

I was once a vegetable-hater, so I totally get this.

But you might learn to like veggies, even if you despised them as a kid.

There are two important things to remember.

The other is that our tastes really do change over time.

We also tend totaste bitter flavors less strongly as we age.

Thats good news if you always felt Brussels sprouts or broccoli tasted too bitter to you.

So here are some things to try, if youre ready to make the leap.

So go ahead and slather them with butter.

it’s possible for you to always try healthier recipes later.

Asparagus pan fried with butter and garlic.

If any of this sounds good to you, just do it.

Butter, garlic, herbs, and bacon are all excellent choices.

Salt makes everything taste better, and evensuppresses bitter flavors.

Or choose any other flavor you like.

broccoli dipped into a can of vanilla frosting.

Now yo have a go at forget that I just typed that sentence, and lets move on.

Or perhaps you prefer your veggies a little more cooked.

Try new vegetables

You dont have to revisit all the veggies youve disliked in the past.

Go to the grocery store or farmers market and start anew.

Maybe you never triedrabeor celeriac or spaghetti squash.

Sample different dishes, especially if you’ve got the option to get them buffet style.

Restaurant-prepared dishes tend to be tasty, and a single forkful is a low stakes commitment.

If youve always been weirded out by salads, its time to dig in.

Our senior food editor Claire Lower suggests chopping your salads for friendlier eating.

I always trigger the kitchen shears through the salad to chop it up into tiny pieces, she says.

It really brightens up the dish and balances out any heavy vegetable flavors, she says.

Asparagus and other green vegetables especially benefit.

If bitter and savory flavors arent your favorites, go the sweet route.

Carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, winter squash, and corn all have some sweetness to them.

Or, you’re able to lean into the sweetness.

When in doubt, roast your veggies.

Sweet and savory vegetables alike benefit from this treatment.

Bake until the insides are tender and the outsides are a bit crispy, and attempt to enjoy.

Chances are, you will.