If you are craving a dish that brilliantly balances sweet, spicy, nutty, and savory flavors, look no further than this Savory Hot Honey Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts Recipe. These Brussels sprouts are roasted to caramelized perfection with a luscious brown butter and hot honey glaze, making every bite a burst of complex taste and satisfying texture. Whether you’re cooking a weeknight dinner side or bringing something extraordinary to your holiday table, this recipe is an absolute showstopper that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Keeping the ingredients simple but packed with personality is key here. Each element plays a vital role: the fresh Brussels sprouts bring earthiness and crunch, the butter transforms into a rich brown butter for a toasty depth, and the hot honey sneaks in a delightful spicy-sweet punch that sets this dish apart.
- Fresh Brussels sprouts, 1 pound: Choose firm, bright green sprouts for the best flavor and texture.
- Unsalted butter, 6 tablespoons: Unsalted butter lets you control seasoning and creates that irresistible brown butter flavor.
- Hot honey, 2 tablespoons: This chili-infused honey adds a perfect sweet heat balance to the dish.
- Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon: Essential for seasoning and enhancing the natural taste of the sprouts.
- Freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon: Adds subtle warmth without overpowering the other flavors.
- Fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon: A splash of brightness that cuts through the richness and elevates the entire dish.
How to Make Savory Hot Honey Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Before diving into flavors, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures a hot environment that will roast your Brussels sprouts to crispy, caramelized goodness. While the oven heats, rinse, trim, and halve your fresh sprouts so they cook evenly and absorb the brown butter mixture beautifully.
Step 2: Season the Brussels Sprouts
In a large mixing bowl, toss your halved Brussels sprouts with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. This simple seasoning foundation lets the natural flavors shine and prepares the sprouts to stand up against the bold brown butter and hot honey sauce.
Step 3: Make the Brown Butter and Hot Honey Sauce
Place the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Watch closely as it melts and begins to bubble, then turns a rich golden brown with a toasty aroma — this usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and delicately stir in the hot honey. This infusion adds a tantalizing layer of sweet heat that will coat every bit of Brussels sprout.
Step 4: Coat and Roast
Pour the fragrant brown butter and hot honey mixture over the seasoned Brussels sprouts. Toss to coat thoroughly, ensuring that every piece is enveloped in that delicious glaze. Spread the sprouts evenly across a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy cleanup and even roasting. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, turning halfway through, until the edges are crispy and the centers are tender.
Step 5: Finish with Lemon Juice
While the sprouts are roasting, mix fresh lemon juice with a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Once the sprouts come out of the oven, drizzle this tangy mixture over the top. The lemon juice adds a fresh, zesty punch that balances the richness and brightens the entire dish, making it irresistibly vibrant.
How to Serve Savory Hot Honey Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Garnishes
For a final touch, serve your Sprouts with a few fresh lemon wedges on the side. The optional garnish adds a burst of color and lets your guests add an extra squeeze of citrus if they desire. A sprinkle of toasted sliced almonds or crispy bacon bits also complements the textures and flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
This savory hot honey brown butter Brussels sprouts recipe pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken, grilled steak, or even a hearty grain bowl. The combination of sweet, spicy, and nutty notes can balance richer main dishes or enhance a simple weeknight meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For an impressive presentation at gatherings or holidays, serve the Brussels sprouts in a rustic cast iron skillet or on a festive platter garnished with fresh herbs like thyme or parsley. You can even turn this into a warm salad by adding toasted nuts, dried cranberries, or crumbled cheese like feta or goat cheese to add layers of flavor and texture.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover sprouts in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days, making for a convenient and delicious side that can be enjoyed the next day with hardly any loss in flavor or texture.
Freezing
While Brussels sprouts don’t freeze perfectly after roasting due to texture changes, you can freeze the unroasted, halved sprouts for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before roasting and make the brown butter hot honey sauce fresh for best results.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a hot skillet over medium heat to restore some of the original crispness, or pop them in an oven set to 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that delightful crispy texture.
FAQs
Can I use regular honey instead of hot honey?
Absolutely! Using regular honey will give you the sweet element without the spicy heat. If you want a little kick, try stirring a pinch of chili flakes into your regular honey before combining it with the brown butter.
What if I don’t have fresh Brussels sprouts?
Frozen Brussels sprouts can be a convenient substitute. Just thaw and pat them dry before roasting, but keep in mind that fresh sprouts tend to roast up crispier.
How do I know when the butter has browned enough?
Look for a rich golden color and a nutty aroma. Once the foam subsides and you see tiny brown specks at the bottom of the pan, you have perfect brown butter. Be careful not to burn it, so remove it from heat promptly.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes! Swap the butter for a vegan alternative like coconut oil or a plant-based butter. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious, especially paired with the hot honey glaze.
Is this dish spicy?
It has a gentle heat from the hot honey, which adds warmth without overwhelming the palate. If you prefer more or less spice, adjust the amount of hot honey or substitute with sweet honey accordingly.
Final Thoughts
This Savory Hot Honey Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts Recipe is a beautiful blend of bold flavors and textures that will elevate any meal. It’s simple to make but packed with personality, perfect for sharing with friends or treating yourself to a delicious side. Give it a try and watch those Brussels sprouts disappear from the plate faster than you can say “yum”!
