Join the club! Subscribe Here

  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Fresh Cooky new logo.

The Fresh Cooky

Real Food with a Healthy Twist

  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • By Course
      • Apps & Snacks
      • Breads
      • Drinks
      • Main Dishes
      • Salads & Dressings
      • Sandwiches
      • Sauces & Condiments
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups & Stews
      • Sweets
    • By Cuisine
      • Asian
      • German
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
    • By Diet
      • Egg-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • Low Carb
      • Vegetarian
    • By Meal Type
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • Breakfast
      • Brunch
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Easy Weeknight
      • Freezer Friendly
      • Kid-Friendly
      • Make Ahead
      • Copycat
    • By Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Crockpot
      • Grilled
      • Instant Pot
      • One Pot
      • Sheet Pan
      • Stovetop
  • Holidays
    • Patriotic Recipes
  • Most Popular
  • For Subscribers
Recipes โ€บ Courses โ€บ Side Dishes
12 Comments

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Kathleen

by Kathleen Pope Apr 7, 2025

Jump to Recipe

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with honey balsamic glaze are an easy, flavorful side dish. Get restaurant-quality crispy skins with these simple tips, perfect for holidays or any meal!

Spoonful of crispy brussels with lemon zest, with white bowl full of brussels in background.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure & privacy policy.

We’ve been serving Brussels sprouts at our family table for years, and this honey balsamic glaze is a favorite. Over time, I’ve mastered the art of getting those crispy skins you find at your favorite restaurant. And guess what? It’s easier than you think! With a few simple tricks, you’ll be roasting Brussels sprouts that are crispy, caramelized, and full of flavor. Whether you’re serving them for a holiday or a weeknight dinner, this recipe will convert even the biggest sprout haters into fans.

As a home cook with years of experience working with all sorts of vegetables, I can tell you that roasting Brussels sprouts is the game-changer you’ve been looking for. From personal experience and countless trials, I’ve learned the small tweaks that make a big difference in taste and texture, and I’m sharing them with you.

Spoonful of roasted crispy brussels sprouts with honey balsamic glaze in a cast iron pan, with zester and lemon in background.

The secret to Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Want to know the secret? Well keep reading!

Just kidding, I will tell you! The secret to extra crispy roasted brussels sprouts is preheating the sheet pan in a hot oven, the cold brussels hit that hot pan and immediately get a crisp and char going.

Process shot for roasted brussels sprouts. 1. Adding olive oil, 2. placing cut side down on hot pan 3. crisped brussels on sheet pan. 4. Adding lemon zest to brussels.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe ingredients

  • Brussels sprouts, washed, trimmed, halved
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
  • fresh ground pepper
  • Honey, try a local raw honey
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Crushed red pepper flakes
  • Unsalted butter | If using salted butter, reduce salt slightly
  • Lemon zest
Small white bowl of roasted crispy brussels sprouts on table with honey, lemon and balsamic vinegar in background.

How to make Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

  • Place oven rack on lowest rack in oven, preheat oven to 450° F.
  • Place a half sheet baking pan on the bottom rack to heat up while you prep the brussels.
  • Rinse, trim and halve brussels placing in large bowl.
  • Drizzle with olive oil, tossing to coat, sprinkle with sea salt and fresh pepper.
  • Carefully remove hot pan from oven and place brussels on pan, cut side down. Meanwhile make Honey Balsamic Glaze.
  • Roast until deeply browned, for smaller brussels about 15 minutes, for larger brussels as long as 20-25 minutes, until some are charred and fork tender.
Process shots of honey boiling in small pan, adding balsamic vinegar, adding butter pats and then pouring onto roasted brussels.

How to cut brussels sprouts

  • What does it mean to “trim” brussels sprouts?
  • Remove a slice of the woody end and any yellow or brown leaves.
  • Once trimmed, halve the Brussels sprouts from top to bottom, leaving the stem in place helps hold the leaves together. Toss into a bowl.

Making the Warm Honey Balsamic Glaze

Bring honey to simmer in a small saucepan, over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently until a deep amber color, careful it will burn quickly. It will take about 3-4 minutes, it will foam up, that’s okay.

Remove from heat, adding red pepper flakes (if desired) and vinegar. Whisk until sauce is smooth. Return to heat, medium to medium-high, adding butter and ยฝ teaspoon salt, whisking constantly, about 3-4 minutes until glaze is glossy and thickened slightly. Set aside until ready to use.

Once brussels are roasted, transfer to large bowl, pour glaze over brussels and toss to a combine, transfer to a platter or heat a cast iron pan or serving dish in oven along with brussels.

Top with fresh lemon zest and serve immediately.

Try other vinegars in place of balsamic, red wine vinegar, white balsamic or white wine vinegar, if you try using apple cider vinegar start with a little bit at first.

Zesting Lemon onto hot cast iron pan of brussels sprouts.

Can you Reheat Brussels Sprouts?

The short answer, yes, you can reheat brussels sprouts, but they are best freshly roasted. If you need to make ahead of time, undercook slightly by a few minutes, then place back on hot sheet pan in 450° F oven for a couple of minutes.

If already glazed, place on sheet pan in a 350° F oven for 3-5 minutes until warmed through.

Spoonful of crispy roasted brussels sprouts with lemon in background and lemon zest on brussels.

How to Serve Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Honey roasted Brussels sprouts are versatile and can complement nearly any meal. Here are some ideas to make them a delicious addition to your table:

  1. As a Side Dish: Pair them with roasted chicken, turkey, or beef. The sweet and tangy honey glaze adds a vibrant flavor that enhances savory main dishes.
  2. In a Grain Bowl: Toss them with quinoa, farro, or wild rice, adding nuts, seeds, or dried cranberries for a hearty, well-rounded dish.
  3. Sprinkle with Toppings: Add crumbled goat cheese, feta, or shaved Parmesan for a creamy element. For extra texture, sprinkle with toasted pecans, almonds, or crispy bacon.
  4. Serve as an Appetizer: Arrange on a platter with toothpicks for a crowd-pleasing snack or starter that’s as beautiful as it is tasty.
  5. Holiday Dinner Star: Make them a highlight of your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu. Their rich honey glaze and caramelized edges pair beautifully with classic holiday flavors.

Storing Roasted Brussels Sprouts

To Prep Ahead

Save time by prepping your Brussels sprouts in advance! Simply trim and halve the sprouts up to 1 day ahead and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to roast. This makes your mealtime prep so much easier.

To Store

Leftover roasted Brussels sprouts can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They’re just as delicious the next day with the right reheating method!

To Reheat

The best way to reheat roasted Brussels sprouts is in the oven. Spread them on a lightly oiled baking sheet and warm them at 350°F for about 5 minutes until heated through. For crispier results, try reheating them in an air fryer. If you’re in a rush, you can microwave them on a plate for 30 seconds to 1 minute, but the texture will be softer than with oven reheating.

To Freeze

Freezing roasted Brussels sprouts isn’t ideal because they can become soggy, but if you need to freeze them, let them cool completely first. Spread the sprouts in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months. Reheat frozen Brussels sprouts in the oven or on the stovetop to help revive their texture.

For more great veggie dishes see below the recipe card!

Try roasted brussels sprouts with these flavor packed main dishes!

  • Instant Pot Whole Roasted Chicken
  • Braised Red Wine Short Ribs
  • Cola and Bourbon Glazed Ham
  • Instant Pot Turkey Breast + Gravy
  • Easy Air Fryer Halibut Recipe with Lemon Butter Sauce
  • How to Cook Glazed Spiral Ham Without Drying it Out {Honeybaked Ham}
Pin for how to make extra crispy brussels sprouts with image of cut brussels on a baking sheet and bottom image of crispy roasted brussels with balsamic honey glaze.

Like this recipe?

Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!

Recipe Card

Balsamic Glaze Brussel Sprouts

5 from 7 readers
Author: Kathleen Pope
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Print Pin SaveSaved!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Balsamic Glaze has a secret to the perfect crispy, roasted leaves, then drizzled with a warm honey balsamic glaze.

Video

Equipment

  • OXO Good Grips Angled Measuring Cup, Mini, Clear
  • USA Pan Half Sheet Baking Pan and Bakeable Nonstick Cooling Rack

Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ pounds brussels sprouts washed, trimmed, halved
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • fresh ground pepper
  • ¼ cup honey try a local raw honey
  • ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ⅛ – ¾ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • fresh grated lemon zest
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • Crispy Roasted Brussels SproutsPlace oven rack on lowest rack in oven, preheat oven to 450° F. Place a half sheet baking pan on the bottom rack to heat up while you prep the brussels.
  • Rinse, trim and halve brussels placing in large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, tossing to coat, sprinkle with sea salt and fresh pepper. Make glaze while roasting.
  • Carefully remove hot pan from oven and place brussels on pan, cut side down. Roast until deeply browned, for smaller brussels about 15 minutes, for larger brussels as long as 20-25 minutes, until some are charred and fork tender.
  • Warm Honey Balsamic GlazeBring honey to simmer in a small saucepan, over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently until a deep amber color, careful it will burn quickly. It will take about 3-4 minutes, it will foam up, that’s okay.
  • Remove from heat, adding red pepper flakes (if desired) and vinegar. Whisk until sauce is smooth. Return to heat, medium to medium-high, adding butter and ยฝ teaspoon salt, whisking constantly, about 3-4 minutes until glaze is glossy and thickened slightly. Set aside until ready to use.
  • Once brussels are roasted, transfer to large bowl, pour glaze over brussels and toss to a combine, transfer to a platter or heat a cast iron pan or serving dish in oven along with brussels.Top with fresh lemon zest and serve immediately.
Last step! Leave a RatingRate this recipe here. This helps other readers and helps support this website.

Notes

Brussels Sprouts shrink during roasting, if making for a crowd keep portions in mind as you will need more than anticipated.
Try other vinegars in place of balsamic, red wine vinegar, white balsamic or white wine vinegar, if you try using apple cider vinegar start with a little bit at first.
Can you Reheat Brussels Sprouts?
Yes, they are best fresh, but if you need to make ahead of time, undercook slightly by a few minutes, then place back on hot sheet pan in 450 oven for a couple of minutes.
If already glazed, place on sheet pan in a 350° F oven for 3-5 minutes until warmed through.
I don’t recommend freezing as brussels will become soggy.

Nutrition

Serving: 11 serving | Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 308mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 28g
Did you make my Balsamic Glaze Brussel Sprouts?Show it off! Share on Instagram, tag @thefreshcooky, and use the hashtag #thefreshcooky!
Tag on Insta Leave a Rating

Share This!

807 shares
  • Share
  • Flipboard
  • Email
  • SMS

My Signature Recipes!

The recipes everyone asks for (plus a few I can't stop making)

Kathleen Pope

Meet Kathleen

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, Iโ€™m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

Read More

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter / X
  • Mastadon

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Rate & Comment Cancel reply

    Have a question, comment, or suggestions about this recipe? If you had any trouble, I would love a chance to help you troubleshoot before you rate. Constructive criticism is welcome, but please be respectful. Rude or inappropriate comments will not be approved. Your email address will not be published.

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Maureen

    Sun, Dec 10, 2023 at 3:14 pm

    5 stars
    These have to be the best way I have ever made brussels sprouts. The flavor is out of this world. I made them 3 times this past week and also today. I never get tired of them. I had to cut the recipe into quarters but I think I got the right combination.
    Thanks for a great recipe.

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Sun, Dec 10, 2023 at 4:41 pm

      Awe thank you for making my day!! So appreciate your kind words Maureen!

      Reply
  2. deisy arauzo

    Mon, Jun 7, 2021 at 5:23 pm

    Kathleen totally delicious! ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Mon, Jun 7, 2021 at 8:01 pm

      Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed them!

      Reply
  3. Erin

    Thu, Jan 9, 2020 at 5:49 am

    5 stars
    We made these beauties during the Christmas break, and there were NO leftovers! That Honey Balsamic Glaze is something special, and it just elevates the already scrumptious brussels sprouts.

    Reply
  4. MICHAELA KENKEL

    Thu, Jan 2, 2020 at 1:44 am

    5 stars
    These were so perfect!! I loved the glaze — but the crispy edges were the best part!

    Reply
  5. jennifer stewart

    Tue, Dec 31, 2019 at 12:24 pm

    I am a sucker for sprouts now that I don’t eat them boiled like my mom used to make. I have tried them with bacon but this version with the honey and balsamic is outstanding!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Thu, Jan 2, 2020 at 4:44 pm

      Haha!! Roasted are the best!

      Reply
  6. jennifer stewart

    Tue, Dec 31, 2019 at 7:23 pm

    5 stars

    Reply
  7. Sandra Shaffer

    Mon, Dec 30, 2019 at 10:00 pm

    5 stars
    I was never a brussels sprouts fan until I started cooking them the way you do! These are delicious. I haven’t tried the lemon and honey combo until now. Game changer!

    Reply
  8. Deb Clark

    Mon, Dec 30, 2019 at 4:13 am

    5 stars
    Thank you for the step-by-step directions. These turned out perfectly and there weren’t any leftovers!!

    Reply
  9. Julie Menghini

    Sun, Dec 29, 2019 at 11:17 pm

    5 stars
    I love brussels especially when they’re baked crispy and your glaze sounds amazing!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Kathleen Pope

Meet Kathleen

Hey there! I'm Kathleen Pope, a proud wife, mom of two awesome college boys, and recipe nerd. Welcome to my world of easy recipes with a healthy twist! Join thousands who trust The Fresh Cooky as their go-to recipe source. Let's cook up some magic!

Read More

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter / X
  • Mastadon

My Signature Recipes!

The recipes everyone asks for (plus a few I can't stop making)

Trending Now

  • Crumbl cookie with milk chocolate chips.Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookie
  • Square image of whole easy key lime pie with dollops of whipped cream and decorated with wedges of key limes.Award Winning Recipe for Key Lime Pie
  • Easy and Quick Pizza Dough Recipe with dough on floured surface square.Easy No Rise Pizza Dough Recipe
  • Best shaved steak recipes, round up picture with Philly cheesesteak, steak bomb, steak fajitas and stuffed peppers.39 Best Shaved Steak Recipes (Easy Steak Meals)
  • Philly cheese steak sandwich on a tray with french fries surrounding it.Best Philly Cheesesteak Recipe
  • Classic Carol chicken salad in bowl and scooped onto lettuce on plates with crackers and dill pickle spears.Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol
The Fresh Cooky
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter / X
  • Mastadon

Subscribe Now

by Course

  • Appetizers & Snacks
  • Breads
  • Drinks
  • Main Dishes
  • Salads & Dressings
  • Sauces & Condiments
  • Side Dishes
  • Sweets

Holidays

  • Thanksgiving
  • Holiday Appetizers
  • Holiday Breakfast
  • Holiday Drinks
  • Holiday Main Dish
  • Holiday Side Dish
  • Holiday Sweets
  • Game Day Recipes

By Cuisine

  • Asian
  • German
  • Italian
  • Mexican

By Diet

  • Gluten-Free
  • Low Carb
  • Vegetarian

By Meal Type

  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Easy Weeknight Meals
  • Freezer Meals
  • Kid-Friendly
  • Make Ahead

By Method

  • Air Fryer
  • Crockpot
  • Grilled
  • Instant Pot
  • One Pot
  • Sheet Pan
  • Stovetop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Subscribe

Copyright © 2025 ยท The Fresh Cooky ยท Privacy & Disclosure Policy

807 shares
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • Email

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe.

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required