Hot Honey Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts

These hot honey brown butter brussels sprouts will convert even the most avid of brussels sprouts haters! The key to making brussels sprouts delicious is roasting them at a very high temperature for a short amount of time and dressing them with something flavourful. The hot honey brown butter sauce is heaven. The honey adds a lovely sticky sweetness and the chilli cuts through the richness so beautifully.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Ingredient Breakdown
• Roasting Brussels Sprouts Hot and Fast
• What Is Brown Butter and Why Is It So Good?
• Bringing It All Together
• Conclusion

Introduction

Brussels sprouts get a really rap, but cooked correctly, they can be so delicious. Enter these Hot Honey Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts—a recipe that roasts the sprouts to perfection, then coats them in a delectable sauce made with brown butter, honey, and pul biber (Aleppo pepper). Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, festive gatherings, or any time you want to elevate your vegetable game.

Ingredient Breakdown

• Brussels Sprouts: The star of the show. Roasting at a high temperature caramelises the natural sugars, giving them a beautifully browned, crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Helps the sprouts achieve that perfect roast.
• Salted Butter: Key for the brown butter sauce. When heated, the butter caramelises, creating a nutty, rich base that complements the honey and spices.
• Pul Biber (Aleppo Pepper): This Turkish chilli pepper offers a mild, smoky heat, perfect for balancing the sweetness of the honey and the richness of the butter.
• Garlic: A single minced clove adds aromatic depth to the sauce, enhancing the overall flavour profile of the dish
• Honey: Provides a sticky sweetness that marries beautifully with the butter and spice, adding a luscious glaze to the sprouts.

Roasting Brussels Sprouts Hot and Fast

The secret to perfect Brussels sprouts lies in how you cook them. Many people associate sprouts with a bitter, mushy texture—a result of boiling or overcooking. But roasting them hot and fast totally transforms them.

Why Roast Hot?

Roasting at a high temperature, around 230°C/210°C fan, is essential. This technique allows the outer leaves to crisp up and caramelise while keeping the insides tender. The high heat also accelerates the Maillard reaction—a chemical process that browns the sprouts and develops their complex flavours. By roasting them in a preheated cast iron or heavy gauge roasting tin, you further ensure an even, consistent roast. The hot pan immediately sears the sprouts, locking in flavour and preventing them from steaming, which can cause that undesirable mushy texture.

How to Do It Right:

Start by preheating your oven with the roasting tin inside. This step ensures the tin is scorching hot when you add the sprouts, giving them an instant sizzle. Toss the halved Brussels sprouts in extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper before placing them in the hot tin. Spread them in an even layer—overcrowding can lead to steaming rather than roasting. Roast for 20-25 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through to ensure even browning. The result? Perfectly roasted sprouts with a crispy exterior and a tender interior.

What Is Brown Butter and Why Is It So Good?

Brown butter, or “beurre noisette” as it’s called in French cuisine, is a simple yet transformative ingredient that adds depth and richness to any dish. The process of making brown butter is straightforward but requires a bit of attention.

The Science Behind Brown Butter:

Brown butter is made by melting butter over medium heat and allowing it to cook until the milk solids separate and brown. As the butter melts, it bubbles and foams. During this process, the water evaporates, and the milk solids begin to caramelise, turning golden brown and releasing a nutty aroma. The flavour is deep and rich, with hints of toffee and caramel. It’s this complexity that elevates the dish, adding layers of flavour that plain butter simply can’t provide.

Why It Works So Well in This Recipe:

The nuttiness of brown butter pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness of the honey and the mild heat of the pul biber. It adds a rich, savoury note that balances the sweetness and spice, making the sauce multidimensional. The butter also helps the sauce cling to the sprouts, ensuring every bite is coated in a glossy, flavourful glaze.

Making the Perfect Brown Butter:

To make brown butter, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow it to bubble away, swirling the pan occasionally. As the butter cooks, you’ll notice the foam subsiding and the milk solids beginning to sink to the bottom of the pan. Watch closely as these solids start to brown—you’ll know it’s ready when it reaches a golden colour and emits a nutty aroma. At this point, add the minced garlic and pul biber, stirring constantly for about a minute to infuse the butter with their flavours. Finally, stir in the honey, and your sauce is ready to coat those perfectly roasted sprouts.

Bringing It All Together

Once your sprouts are roasted and your sauce is ready, the final step is simply to combine. Transfer the roasted Brussels sprouts to a mixing bowl, pour over the hot honey brown butter sauce, and toss to coat every piece evenly. This step ensures the sprouts are fully enveloped in that sweet, spicy, and nutty glaze. Serve immediately, while still warm, to enjoy them at their best.

Conclusion

Hot Honey Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts are proof that Brussels sprouts can be more than just a side note on the dinner table. By roasting them hot and fast and dressing them with a sauce that’s both rich and balanced, this dish transforms the humble sprout into a star. Whether you’re a Brussels sprouts enthusiast or a skeptic, this recipe is bound to win you over. Give it a go, and experience how the magic of brown butter, honey, and heat can turn a simple vegetable into something extraordinary.

This recipe is perfect for Christmas. For more Christmas recipes, check out my Christmas Recipe Collection, where you’ll find a curated selection of festive recipes, perfect for the holiday season. From indulgent mains and comforting sides to delightful desserts and warming drinks, each recipe is crafted to bring joy to your Christmas celebrations.