Balsamic Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe (2024)

by Scott Groth 8 Comments

Balsamic honey roasted brussels sprouts are so good that they basically melt in your mouth. Tender green globes of goodness. This super simple recipe will have you coming back for more!

This honey roasted brussels sproutsrecipe is:Paleo, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Vegetarian and Wheat Belly friendly.

Balsamic Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe (1)

You know they are good when your kids are asking for seconds and thirds. Granted, my kids already like brussels sprouts, but these just disappeared off the plate in record time. The balsamic and honey pair so well with the slight bitterness of the brussels sprout. Pan roasting the sprouts in butter doesn't hurt either. When it all comes together, the flavors just sing.

ARE BRUSSEL SPROUTS CABBAGE?

Here's something to know about brussels sprouts: they arelittle cabbages. Brussel sprouts are part of the "brassica oleracea"species that also includes cauliflower, kale, cabbage, collard greens, kohlrabi, savory, broccolini and more.

WHY DO BRUSSEL SPROUTS TASTE BAD?

Typically, people who think that brussel sprouts taste bad have always had them servedovercooked... which makes them smell and taste really pretty bad. You can tell when a brussel sprout has been overcooked since it will turn gray and soft. Typically this happens if they are boiled or steamed for too long. Once the sprout has been cooked to long it will release a sulfur compound that smells strongly.

To make brussel sprouts taste best, roast them in the pan until they are fork tender. Our one goal is to avoid overcooking the brussels sprouts at all costs.

BALSAMIC HONEY COATED BRUSSEL SPROUTS

For the balsamic honey portion of this recipe, I used organic balsamic and raw honey. Something to note about raw honey: most times it is more of a solid than a liquid in the jar. This is ok! There are a couple ways make bring your honey back to a liquid state:

  1. Option 1: Put the jar into a hot water bath. It works, but takes a while.
  2. Option 2: Let the hot brussels sprouts do the work. Scoop out the solid raw honey, put it at the bottom of a mixing bowl with the balsamic and when the sprouts are done, toss them in on top. In about 15 seconds, all the honey will be melted into a pool of deliciousness.

QUICK COOKING TIP:Before you add in the brussels sprouts to the pan, make sure that your butter and oil is completely melted. Then, season the butter and oil with a couple pinches of salt and a few cranks of fresh pepper. When the brussels sprouts are caramelizing in the pan, the salt and pepper will help to season them as they are cooking. There have been a bunch of times I forgot this step and just tried to sprinkle salt and pepper on top of the sprouts while they were cooking. Although it tasted fine, it wasn'tas goodas when the butter is seasoned first.

Ok, so let's fire up this balsamic honey roasted brussels sprout recipe!

Yield: 5 Servings

Balsamic Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Balsamic Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe (3)

Balsamic honey roasted brussels sprouts have no right tasting just this good. Good for you too: gluten free, paleo, primal, vegetarian and low carb!

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Total Time20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1.5 LBS Brussels Sprouts, trimmed and halved
  • 3 tablespoon Grass Fed, Organic Butter or Ghee
  • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 3 Pinches Kosher Salt
  • 4-5 Grinds of Fresh Cracked Pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Raw Honey

Instructions

  1. Heat a large, heavy bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add in the butter and olive oil. When it melts, evenly distribute some pinches of salt and cracked pepper around the pan.
  2. Add the brussels sprouts to the pan, cut side down in a tight pattern. When all the sprouts are in a single layer, cover the pan and cook for 10 minutes.
  3. The brussels sprouts are done when they are fork tender and deliciously browned. Remove them from the heat.
  4. In a mixing bowl, add the balsamic and honey. Add in the brussels sprouts and mix gently with a rubber spatula to coat.
  5. Serve hot and happy eating!

Nutrition Information

Yield

5
Amount Per ServingCalories 174

Did you make this recipe?

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WANT TO TRY OTHER BRUSSEL SPROUTS RECIPES? CHECK THESE OUT:

Baked Brussel Sprouts Gratin

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Sauteed Brussel Sprouts

Final thoughts on the Balsamic Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe:

Pan roasted brussels sprouts just taste so damn good. I know that there is a lot of butter in this recipe... but these are mini cabbages. Cabbage and butter want to betogether like coffee and cream or bacon and eggs. There is no sense in fighting it, so just give in and enjoy it. If you wanted to jazz up this recipe, add in some bacon or toasted pine nuts. Maybe try some "sweet heat" with a couple fiery Fresno peppers in the mix.

Serve these tasty sprouts withcrispyoven roasted chickenorpan seared steak. Either would be delicious. The sweetness that the honey and balsamic bring to the mix makes it a great side dish to anything that has a little bit of a salty edge to it. Grilled or roasted meats would be a top choice!

Hopefully you enjoyed these balsamic honey roasted brussels sprouts- leave a comment with your thoughts or other brussels sprouts recipes that you love.

Balsamic Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe (4)

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Balsamic Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe (5)

About Scott Groth

Scott Groth has gone from a burned out, overweight executive to a professional food blogger, chef, low carb + keto enthusiast. His style is fun, fresh, and family-friendly. Learn more about Scott in his bio, discover the story behind this blog, and learn about his incredible low-carb journey.

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Comments

  1. Tracy Bauhaus says

    Balsamic Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe (6)
    Honey and balsamic really work well with these yummy brussel sprouts. Great side dish. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

    • Scott Groth says

      Hi Tracy:
      So true. Thank you for your appreciation.
      Take care and happy eating!
      Scott

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. […] GET THE RECIPE […]

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  2. […] carrots and fennel puree that was fantastic. It would go great with pureed cauliflower, some balsamic roasted brussels sprouts or even sauteed spinach with bacon and shallots. My personal favorite to go with just about any […]

    Reply

  3. […] perhaps it would be better to start off with the Pan Seared Brussels Sprout Recipeor theBalsamic Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe. They are both delicious, take a lot less time and are usually sides made with dinner. […]

    Reply

  4. […] just how simple it is to make. If you’re looking for some other sprout recipes, check out myBalsamic Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts, or theseSauteed Brussel Sproutsor enjoy thisBrussels Sprouts Hash with Bacon and Slow Cooked […]

    Reply

  5. […] 14. Balsamic Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts I really love Brussels sprouts, and my favorite ways to cook them always involve roasting them with a variety of seasonings, drizzles, and flavors. I love this version with grass-fed butter, fresh cracked pepper, balsamic vinegar, and sweet and delicious honey. […]

    Reply

  6. […] Brussel Sprouts Gratin Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Balsamic Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts Sauteed Brussel Sprouts […]

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Balsamic Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to boil brussel sprouts before roasting? ›

Yes, you can cook fresh Brussels sprouts without boiling them. You can roast, sauté, grill, or even microwave them for alternative cooking methods that can enhance their flavor and texture.

Why are my roasted brussel sprouts not crispy? ›

Why Are My Brussel Sprouts Not Crispy? Spread them out into a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet to avoid overcrowding. If they're too close together, they'll steam instead of roast which stops the crisping process.

Should brussel sprouts be soaked before roasting? ›

Don't soak sprouts before cooking them, they don't need it. Rinse before cooking, and if you want to store them ready-prepped but them in a reusable bag or container in the fridge.

How do you get the bitterness out of roasted brussel sprouts? ›

The flavor components that contribute to a bitter flavor are concentrated in the center of the brussels sprout. If you slice the the veggie in half, it helps to release some of those compounds during the cooking process. Smaller is better when it comes to tenderness and flavor.

Should you cut brussel sprouts in half before cooking? ›

One of the most common ways to cut a Brussels sprout is in half or quarters. By doing so, you reduce the size of the sprouts, speeding up cooking.

Why do you soak brussel sprouts before cooking? ›

The soak time tenderizes the sprouts so the middles are softer. Don't worry, they won't be soggy! I would never do that to you. If, like me, you don't mind some chew to your sprouts, you don't need to soak the Brussels sprouts prior to cooking.

Why are my brussel sprouts still hard after cooking? ›

Without oil, Brussels don't brown and soften—they dehydrate. Its also possible that they simply need more time in the oven. Cooking times vary depending on their size. A cooked Brussels sprout should be pierced easily with the tip of a sharp knife.

How do you keep roasted brussel sprouts from getting soggy? ›

If you want your roasted Brussels sprouts to be seriously crispy, you need to crank up the heat. Roasting at a low temperature won't allow them to brown properly, so you want to get that oven nice and hot before tossing in your baking sheet. Follow this tip: Roast Brussels sprouts at a minimum of 400°F.

Are roasted brussel sprouts unhealthy? ›

Brussels sprouts make a healthy addition to any diet and are easy to incorporate into side dishes and entrees. People often enjoy them roasted, boiled, sauteed, or baked.

Why are my roasted brussel sprouts bitter? ›

Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and broccoli are bitter mainly from a specific type of compound: glucosinolates. They are released when cell walls are damaged from cutting or chewing.

Can you roast brussel sprouts ahead of time and reheat? ›

Can be made ahead of time: These roasted Brussels sprouts aren't crispy. While the roasting does provide a nice char flavor, it also leaves them soft. This means they can easily be made ahead of time and reheated for easy meal prep or leftovers.

What makes brussel sprouts taste better? ›

In the late 1990s scientists identified specific chemicals, called glucosinolates, that made Brussels sprouts taste bitter. Plant breeders started growing old seeds, previously discarded for producing paltry harvests, to identify tastier versions with lower levels of these compounds.

Why are my roasted brussel sprouts tough? ›

Like all cabbages, Brussels are unavoidably fibrous and dense. You must overcome this by either cooking them in salty water until fork tender (blanching), or by roasting at a high (over 425F) temperature for upwards of 20 minutes. To guarantee great texture, do both!

Why do brussel sprouts smell bad when cooking? ›

Yes, according to the Los Angeles Times, Brussels sprouts inherited another gene that causes them to stink up your kitchen when you cook them. When you cook Brussels sprouts they give off a gas: hydrogen sulfide. And if you are the least bit sensitive to smells, it will make you want to hurl.

Do you need to blanch brussel sprouts before roasting? ›

Like all cabbages, Brussels are unavoidably fibrous and dense. You must overcome this by either cooking them in salty water until fork tender (blanching), or by roasting at a high (over 425F) temperature for upwards of 20 minutes. To guarantee great texture, do both!

Why not to boil brussel sprouts? ›

Steaming and boiling use moist heat, and moist heat can make Brussel Sprouts mushy and stinky—not a good combo. Give them the treatment they deserve by roasting them instead.

Do we need to boil sprouts? ›

Boiling them renders them easier to digest, making the nutrient-rich sprouts more tolerable for sensitive digestive systems. Additionally, the boiling process significantly reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses associated with raw sprouts, ensuring safer consumption.

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