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    Home > Recipes > Sides

    Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

    Published: Sep 9, 2024 · Updated: Mar 6, 2025 · by Veronika Sykorova · This post may contain affiliate links · 13 Comments

    6.1K shares
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·4 from 6 reviews
    Crispy saucy golden brussels sprouts with sprinkled with salt flakes and fresh thyme.

    These Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts are the perfect balance between sweet and salty. They're crispy, flavorful, and so simple! They're easy enough to be served as a side for a weeknight dinner but they taste fancy enough to be a part of your holiday table! They make a great fall or winter side dish for any occasion.

    Crispy saucy golden brussels sprouts in a white bowl with a brown rim sprinkled with salt flakes and fresh thyme.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Variations and Substitutions
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storing and Reheating
    • FAQs
    • More Brussels Sprouts Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    Perfect for your holiday table - Crispy roasted brussels sprouts are tossed in a garlicky honey balsamic sauce. They're a great side for dinner any time of the year but especially during the holidays! Serve them along with roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, other veggies, and turkey!

    Flavorful sauce - Balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, lots of garlic, and other ingredients are simmered on the stove for a few minutes to create a delicious sticky sauce that pairs perfectly with the crispy brussels sprouts. It's simple but so good!

    Easy to make - These brussels sprouts are totally foolproof! They only need about 10 minutes of hands-on work and call for just a few simple ingredients. They're restaurant-worthy but simple enough to make at home for a weeknight dinner.

    Crispy saucy golden brussels sprouts with sprinkled with salt flakes and fresh thyme.

    Ingredients

    • Brussels sprouts - Pick brussels sprouts that are bright green, firm, and without any visible bruises or yellow spots.
    • Cooking oil - I use avocado oil to roast the brussels sprouts and get them crispy. You can use any cooking oil you'd normally use. I don't recommend using olive oil for roasting because it has a low smoke point.
    • Balsamic vinegar - Balsamic vinegar is dark red, tart, and a little sweeter than other kinds of vinegar. You can also drizzle the roasted brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze right before serving for even more balsamic flavor.
    • Honey - Honey and balsamic is an amazing flavor combo! Maple syrup also works.
    • Olive oil - I add a little olive oil to the honey balsamic sauce to balance everything out and add flavor. You could also use a more neutral oil like avocado.
    • Garlic - Grated or minced garlic is simmered in the sauce and gives the brussels sprouts an amazing flavor.
    • Sea salt and pepper - I recommend using sea salt or Himalayan pink salt and freshly ground black pepper whenever possible.
    Brussels sprouts, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, cooking oil, and other ingredients all laid out in small bowls.

    Variations and Substitutions

    • Maple syrup - If you don't have honey or want to keep the dish vegan, use maple syrup instead.
    • Tapioca starch - You can add tapioca or corn starch to the sauce to thicken it up. Mix a little bit of starch with water and add the slushie to the sauce as it simmers. It will thicken as it cooks and even more when it cools. This is totally optional. The sauce will thicken on its own as well.
    • Different vegetables - You can use the balsamic honey sauce on other roasted veggies as well. It would be delicious on roasted broccoli or cauliflower!

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. Preheat your oven to 400F (200C).
    2. Slice the brussels sprouts in half and add them to a large baking sheet.
    3. Drizzle them with avocado oil and season with sea salt and pepper.
    4. Toss to coat and lay them all out cut side down.
    5. Roast for 18-20 minutes until golden and crispy.
    Brussels sprouts cut in half lying cut side down on a large baking sheet before and after roasting.

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    1. While the brussels sprouts are roasting, make the sauce.
    2. Set a small saucepan over medium heat and add olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar, and grated garlic.
    3. Use a small whisk to mix everything together.
    4. Simmer the sauce on medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Be careful, it may rise quickly when stirred.
    5. Take off heat and set aside until ready to use. It will thicken as it cools.
    Balsamic vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and other ingredients in a small saucepan simmering on the stove.
    1. Take the roasted brussels sprouts out of the oven and toss them with the balsamic sauce.
    2. Serve immediately and enjoy!
    Roasted crispy brussels sprouts drizzled and tossed with sticky balsamic sauce.

    Expert Tips

    • Always roast the brussels sprouts cut side down. This will help them crisp up more and caramelize and brown beautifully on the cut side. No need to toss them while roasting.
    • Toss the the brussels sprouts with the sauce right before serving to prevent them from losing their crispiness too early. They will eventually lose their crispiness either way but

    Serving Suggestions

    These brussels sprouts are perfect for the holiday table with roasted turkey and other sides like these Rosemary Mashed Potatoes or this Orange Maple Cranberry Sauce. They're also delicious served any time of the year with roasted chicken, steak, or any meat. Serve it with roasted potatoes, more roasted veggies, or anything else!

    Crispy saucy golden brussels sprouts in a white bowl with a brown rim sprinkled with salt flakes and fresh thyme.

    Storing and Reheating

    Storing: You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Keep in mind that once you mix the brussels sprouts with the dressing and refrigerate them, they'll lose their crispiness but they'll still be delicious. I don't recommend freezing the brussels sprouts.

    Reheating: Reheat the brussels sprouts in a small saucepan on the stove with a splash of water over medium heat until warmed through.

    FAQs

    Why are my roasted brussels sprouts not crispy?

    When you overcrowd your baking sheet, the brussels sprouts end up steaming instead of roasting and don't crisp up enough. Always give them enough space to breathe and don't overlap them.

    Do I need to boil brussels sprouts before roasting?

    Some recipes recommend it but I've never done it. I don't find it necessary at all. After 15-20 minutes of roasting, the brussels sprouts are perfectly soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.

    Do I need parchment paper for the pan?

    This is up to you but I usually don't use any parchment paper so the brussels sprouts touch the pan and get nice and golden. I don't recommend using tinfoil.

    Crispy saucy golden brussels sprouts with sprinkled with salt flakes and fresh thyme and a spoon inserted on the right.

    More Brussels Sprouts Recipes

    If you like these balsamic brussels sprouts, I highly recommend you try one of the three recipes below as well! They're roasted in the same way, just served with different glazes and dressings. To see all the latest ones, head over to Sides.

    • Maple Mustard Brussels Sprouts
    • Teriyaki Brussels Sprouts
    • Soy Glazed Brussels Sprouts
    • Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
    Print

    📖 Recipe

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    Crispy saucy golden brussels sprouts in a white bowl with a brown rim sprinkled with salt flakes and fresh thyme.

    Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4 from 6 reviews
    • Author: Veronika Sykorova
    • Prep Time: 10 mins
    • Cook Time: 20 mins
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 2-4 1x
    • Category: Sides
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Save Recipe Recipe Saved

    Description

    These Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts are the perfect balance between sweet and salty. They're crispy, flavorful, and so simple! They make a great fall or winter side dish for any occasion.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 lb brussels sprouts, stems removed
    • 1 tbsp avocado oil
    • ½ tsp sea salt
    • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
    • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tbsp honey
    • 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
    • 2 cloves garlic, grated

    Instructions

    1. Preheat your oven to 400F (200C).
    2. Slice the brussels sprouts in half and add them to a large baking sheet.
    3. Drizzle them with avocado oil and season with sea salt and pepper.
    4. Toss to coat and lay them all out cut side down.
    5. Roast for 18-20 minutes until golden and crispy.
    6. While the brussels sprouts are roasting, make the sauce.
    7. Set a small saucepan over medium heat and add olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar, and grated garlic. Use a whisk to mix everything together.
    8. Simmer the mixture on medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Be careful, it may rise quickly when stirred. 
    9. Take off heat and set aside until ready to use. It will thicken as it cools.
    10. Take the brussels sprouts out of the oven and toss them with the balsamic sauce.
    11. Serve immediately and enjoy!

    Notes

    Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Keep in mind that the brussels sprouts will lose their crispiness once stored.

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    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Comment and rate the recipe below and tag @thehealthfulideas on Instagram with the hashtag #thehealthfulideas, I'd love to see what you made!

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    6.1K shares

    Comments

    1. Veronika Sykorova says

      September 17, 2024 at 11:28 am

      These are delicious and tried and true for Thanksgiving when you want to try a new side with your dinner. They're so good!

      Reply
    2. Dominique says

      November 19, 2024 at 9:28 am

      I tripled the recipe and the sauce was way too vinegary. I kept adding spoonfuls of honey and it still didn’t thicken up. I’m not sure what I did wrong ☹️

      Reply
      • Veronika Sykorova says

        November 19, 2024 at 12:14 pm

        I'm sorry to hear the recipe didn't work for you! It's not a very thick sauce but the honey caramelizes a little bit which should thicken it slightly. It works well with the brussels sprouts because they soak up the sauce.

        Someone on Pinterest commented the sauce is way too sweet suggesting it needs more vinegar, it's hard to fit into everyone's preferences.

        If you really want it to be thick, I recommend adding tapioca starch or cornstarch slurry at the end of cooking and simmering it gently for a minute or so until it thickens. This will save any sauce that isn't thick enough. Be careful though, if you add too much, it can turn the sauce slimy. Hope that helps!

        Reply
        • Kari says

          March 31, 2025 at 5:41 pm

          Followed the recipe, and it turned out Terrific! My husband loved it, and I will definitely make this again!
          Thank you!!

          Reply
          • Veronika Sykorova says

            April 01, 2025 at 3:01 pm

            I'm glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the review! :)

            Reply
      • bernice says

        February 08, 2025 at 10:05 pm

        skill issue, these were delightful

        Reply
      • Lee says

        May 08, 2025 at 9:30 pm

        Soggy and too much vinegar. No thanks.

        Reply
        • Veronika Sykorova says

          May 09, 2025 at 8:22 am

          I'm sorry you didn't enjoy these! I find the vinegar and honey balances the bitterness of the sprouts nicely but it's understandable we all have different tastes.

          I always recommend leaving enough space around them when you're roasting the brussels sprouts to avoid them getting soggy. They're also best enjoyed right away. If you let them sit with the sauce for a few hours, they will soften.

          Reply
    3. Lisa says

      November 24, 2024 at 12:49 pm

      This was absolutely amazing!! I will be making this over and over it’s a staple now!!! 5 stars for sure

      Reply
    4. Emily says

      November 28, 2024 at 9:41 pm

      These were fantastic. Super easy!! My only issue was the sauce wasn’t reminiscent of a glaze. It was super runny. Upon reading other comments, I’ll try a cornstarch slurry next time. Otherwise, these were divine. Highly recommend.

      Reply
    5. Akers says

      December 26, 2024 at 10:52 pm

      Have you taken these to a pot luck? If so, would you suggest baking and then packing. Then adding the sauce when you arrive?

      Reply
      • Veronika Sykorova says

        December 27, 2024 at 4:51 am

        No, I've never taken them anywhere but I think this is a great idea! After you add the sauce and let them sit, they do soak up a lot of it and become a little soggy. I'd roast them and pack the sauce separately to add when you arrive to avoid that.

        Reply
    6. Diane Michele Lieberg says

      January 13, 2025 at 7:35 pm

      Too runny and vinegary for my taste. I will try it again with less vinegar and some corn starch

      Reply

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    I'm Veronika and The Healthful Ideas where I share original plant-based recipes for every day cooking and popular classics with a healthy twist.

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