Name: Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 lb Brussels sprouts; 1/3 cup olive oil; 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided; Black pepper, to taste; 1/3 cup honey; 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar; 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp red pepper chili flakes; 3 Tbsp unsalted butter; Green onions, sliced; Lemon zest

If you’re looking to transform Brussels sprouts from “meh” to “wow,” this Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe is your new best friend. Sweet, tangy, and perfectly caramelized, these sprouts bring a little magic to any meal.

A white plate holds a single layer of roasted Brussels sprouts, all halved and browned with crispy, dark caramel edges and tender green inner leaves. Bright green sliced scallions are scattered on top, adding a fresh touch. Light yellow zest is sprinkled over the dish, giving it a textured look. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can honestly say these Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts are one of the easiest and tastiest vegetable sides I've made — plus, the honey balsamic glaze is downright addictive. It’s the kind of side dish you’ll find yourself sneaking bites of straight from the baking sheet.

Perfectly Caramelized: Roasting at high heat gives the sprouts gorgeous golden edges and a tender-crisp bite.
Flavor Explosion: The honey balsamic sauce balances sweetness, acidity, and a little kick from red pepper flakes.
Simple Ingredients: Just pantry staples like olive oil, honey, and balsamic vinegar, nothing fancy required.
Great With Proteins: This side pairs beautifully with salmon, chicken, shrimp, or any main you’re craving.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Great Brussels sprouts start with fresh, firm little cabbages, and this glaze? It’s the real star — a luscious combo of honey and balsamic that clings beautifully to every crispy edge. Here’s a quick rundown of the ingredients and why they’re key.

Flat lay of fresh halved Brussels sprouts with vibrant green leaves, two whole uncracked garlic cloves, a bright lemon with fresh yellow zest strands, a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy golden honey, a small white bowl holding dark, rich balsamic vinegar, a small white bowl of smooth pale Dijon mustard, a small white bowl of clear golden olive oil, a small heap of red chili flakes, a few fresh green onions with vibrant stalks, and a chunk of unsalted creamy butter placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Brussels Sprouts: Look for firm, bright green sprouts with no yellowing or spots for the best texture and flavor.
Olive Oil: Helps them roast up crispy and golden without drying out.
Kosher Salt: Brings out natural flavors and balances the sweetness.
Honey: Adds that smooth, sweet caramelization in the glaze we all love.
Balsamic Vinegar: Gives tang and depth to the sauce for that signature zing.
Dijon Mustard: Adds a subtle sharpness and helps emulsify the sauce.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic amps up the savory notes.
Red Pepper Chili Flakes: A little heat to balance the sweet and sour.
Unsalted Butter: Rounds out the sauce with a luscious richness and smooth finish.
Green Onions & Lemon Zest (Garnish): Fresh, bright touches to top things off with a burst of color and flavor.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about the Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe is how easy it is to tweak according to your taste or what you have on hand. Feel free to get creative—the base is flexible and welcomes personal touches!

Swap the Vinegar: I’ve tried this recipe with sherry vinegar and red wine vinegar instead of balsamic, and it gives a wonderful twist. Both options keep the tangy sweetness while changing the overall flavor profile slightly.
Make It Spicy: If you like heat, add a pinch more red pepper chili flakes or toss in some smoked paprika for a smoky kick. It adds great depth and warmth.
Nutty Crunch: Toasted chopped pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top after roasting add a lovely crunchy contrast that I absolutely love. Plus, it amps up the texture dimension!
Make It Vegan: Simply swap the unsalted butter for a plant-based alternative and you’re good to go. The sauce still thickens and coats beautifully.
Seasonal Twist: Add some roasted butternut squash cubes or sweet potato chunks alongside the Brussels sprouts for a fall-inspired side dish that brings seasonal color and sweetness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a grilled Brussels sprout held by a silver fork. The Brussels sprout is golden brown and slightly charred with visible layers of softened green leaves and a glossy, glazed surface. The background contains more Brussels sprouts with similar browning and hints of green leaves spread around on a white plate. The setting is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Get Your Oven and Pan Ready

Preheat your oven to 425°F—this high temperature is key to getting those Brussels sprouts perfectly caramelized and crispy. As the oven heats, place your baking sheet inside so it warms up. I like to keep the sheet hot because when you put the Brussels sprouts on, that immediate sizzle helps start the crisping process right away.

Step 2: Prep the Brussels Sprouts

Trim the ends off your Brussels sprouts, then slice each in half lengthwise. Check for any loose or flimsy leaves and take those off—they roast up quickly and make addictive little chips! Tossing these separately on the baking sheet means you get two tasty textures from the same veggie.

Step 3: Oil and Season for Success

In a large bowl, coat the Brussels sprouts with ⅓ cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and a good grind of black pepper. Make sure every piece gets a nice even layer of oil and seasoning—that’s what infuses flavor and helps achieve that gorgeous golden crust during roasting.

Step 4: Roast Those Brussels

Take your hot baking sheet out of the oven and carefully place the Brussels sprouts cut side down. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan; if necessary, use two baking sheets so the sprouts roast instead of steam. Pop them in the oven and roast for 20 minutes, and resist the urge to flip them—letting them sit cut side down creates that beautiful deep caramelization you’re after.

Step 5: Simmer the Honey Balsamic Sauce

While the Brussels are roasting, start your sauce by heating ⅓ cup honey over medium-high heat in a saucepan. Watch for the honey to bubble lightly—that usually takes around 1 to 2 minutes. Then remove from heat and stir in balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and the remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt.

Step 6: Thicken the Glaze

Return the pan to medium-low heat and add 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Stir as the butter melts and the sauce slowly thickens, which takes about 5 minutes. This luscious glaze is what really elevates the dish—rich, sweet, tangy, and just slightly spicy.

Step 7: Combine and Garnish

Once the Brussels sprouts come out of the oven, either toss them directly with the warm honey balsamic sauce or spoon the glaze over each serving. I like tossing to coat everything perfectly, but serving sauce on the side is great too if you want guests to customize. Finish with sliced green onions and a bit of fresh lemon zest for a bright, fresh touch that wakes up all the flavors.

Top Tip

Mastering the perfect Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe is all about a few key tricks that bring out the best caramelization and flavor. These tips will help you roast those Brussels sprouts to crispy, tender perfection every time!

Preheat the Baking Sheet: Placing your baking sheet inside the oven while it preheats to 425°F makes a world of difference. When you lay the Brussels sprouts on that hot surface, you get immediate searing that locks in crispiness and deep golden color.
Avoid Overcrowding: Brussels sprouts need room to roast, not steam. If your pan is too crowded, they won’t caramelize properly. Don’t hesitate to use two baking sheets to spread them out evenly.
Keep the Cut Side Down: Arranging the sprouts cut side down ensures maximum contact with the hot pan, encouraging browning and crisp edges without flipping during roasting.
Roast Loose Leaves Separately: Removing and roasting any loose, floppy Brussels leaves separately creates addictive crispy chips that add texture and a tasty snack alongside your dish.

How to Serve Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe

A white plate full of bright green Brussels sprouts piled high, each sprout round with tightly closed leaves and light beige cut stems facing outward, sitting on a white marbled surface. In the blurred background, there are two bottles: one bottle has an orange label with

Garnishes

Garnishes bring brightness and vibrancy to this dish. Sliced green onions add a fresh, slightly sharp contrast, while lemon zest brightens the rich, sweet balsamic glaze with a hint of citrus aroma. Sprinkling a bit of extra cracked black pepper or chili flakes on top can also add a little kick if you like more heat.

Side Dishes

This Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe pairs beautifully with a variety of proteins. Serve it alongside pan-seared salmon, roasted chicken, or grilled shrimp for a balanced and flavorful meal. It also complements hearty sides like creamy mashed potatoes or a quinoa salad for an easy, well-rounded dinner.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover roasted Brussels sprouts in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to 3 days, making them perfect for quick lunch sides or additions to dinner the next day.

Freezing

Because of their texture, roasted Brussels sprouts don’t freeze well if you want to preserve crispness. If you do freeze leftovers, place them in a freezer-safe container, but expect some softness upon thawing. For best results, enjoy fresh or refrigerated.

Reheating

To reheat and revive some of that crispy texture, rewarm leftover Brussels sprouts in a 375°F oven for about 8-10 minutes. This will warm them through while bringing back a little crunch. Avoid microwaving if you want to preserve the best flavor and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen Brussels sprouts for this recipe?

Fresh Brussels sprouts work best for roasting because they retain their texture and crisp up nicely. Frozen Brussels sprouts tend to release more moisture and won’t caramelize as well, making them less ideal for this Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe.

What can I substitute for balsamic vinegar?

If you don’t have balsamic vinegar on hand, you can substitute with sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar. Each offers a slightly different flavor profile but will still blend deliciously with the honey glaze.

How spicy is the honey balsamic sauce?

The recipe includes 1 teaspoon of red pepper chili flakes, which adds a mild to moderate level of heat. You can adjust the amount up or down depending on your spice preference or omit them altogether for a sweeter glaze.

Can this recipe be made vegan?

To make this dish vegan, substitute the unsalted butter with a plant-based vegan butter or olive oil. The rest of the ingredients – Brussels sprouts, honey, balsamic vinegar, and spices – remain the same, but you might also want to replace honey with maple syrup or agave for a fully vegan sauce.

Final Thoughts

I hope this Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe becomes a staple in your kitchen the way it has in mine. There’s something truly comforting about those caramelized edges combined with the tangy-sweet glaze that just elevates this humble vegetable to star status. Whether it’s a weeknight side or part of a festive meal, these Brussels sprouts will bring smiles around any table. Don’t forget to try roasting those loose leaves too — they’re addictive little gems! Enjoy every bite and happy cooking!