I’m sure you’ve discovered the magic of crispy roasted brussel sprouts. But I bet you haven’t had them this way. Roast, then toss in a honey balsamic dressing with sweet caramelized onions, crunchy pine nuts and tangy feta cheese. It’s the most amazing warm brussel sprouts salad!
Brussels sprouts don’t get such a bad rap these days, do they?
Finally, we’ve discovered how to make them extra delicious. Roast them to a crisp. Add bacon, or garlic, or parmesan, or all three. Make yummy crispy brussels sprouts with tahini sauce and almonds or these amazing roasted brussel sprouts and carrots.
The options are endless. You have to be a very hard line brussels hater to NOT like some of the amazing brussels sprouts recipes out there now.
Why you’re going to love them
Reason 1: The sweetness of the caramelized onions and honey and tanginess of the balsamic vinegar and feta contrast perfectly with the crispy roasted brussel sprouts.
Reason 2: It’s perfect for every season. Serve with your Christmas lunch, at a summer BBQ, or as a side dish for a midweek dinner. It works.
Reason 3: I guess you could say it’s a Mediterranean style recipe. Say no more. You need no other reason to give them a try. 😉
It’s like a warm brussels sprouts salad combining the most amazing contrast of textures and flavours. It’s magic.
About the ingredients
Apart from brussels sprouts, you need:
a big onion and a bit of olive oil: You’re going to slice the onion and caramelize them while the brussels sprouts are roasting.
salt and pepper: for sprinkling over the brussels before roasting
a light honey balsamic dressing to toss through the salad: All you need is oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey.
a few toasted pine nuts and a bit of feta cheese: to sprinkle generously over the salad at the end.
How to make them
This is a quick and simple recipe, as nearly always around here.
There are 4 main steps:
Step 1: Toss brussels in a bit of oil and roast for around 20 to 25 minutes. The key is to catch them when there are plenty of crispy bits, but they aren’t burnt.
Step 2: While the brussels are doing their thing in the oven, caramelize a big sliced onion. Just cook on a moderate heat on the stove top for around 15 to 20 minutes. Stir every now and again.
Step 3: Whisk together a small amount of a very simple dressing. All you need is equal amounts of olive oil and balsamic vinegar and a bit of honey. Along with the caramelized onions, toss it through the hot brussels sprouts as soon as they come out of the oven.
Step 4: Empty the charred brussels sprouts into a serving dish and sprinkle very generously with toasted pine nuts and crumbled feta cheese.
Serve immediately while still warm, crispy, sticky and delicious!
How to serve them
One of the things I love about these honey balsamic brussel sprouts is how versatile they are.
Option 1: Make them into a simple but delicious midweek family meal by serving them with something simple like chicken, steak or salmon.
Option 2: Serve them with a roast dinner – even for Thanksgiving or Christmas – for something a little bit different. If you have an air fryer, you just have to try my 1-hour air fryer whole chicken recipe (rotisserie style)!
Add this perfect cheesy cauliflower and potato mash and this sautéed butternut squash as well!
Option 3: Serve as a warm brussels sprouts salad at a BBQ, buffet, or other occasion. What with? Literally anything you like.
Option 4: Eat by themselves for lunch with some simple toasted bread with olive oil and salt. You’ll be amazed how moreish they are!
It’s best to serve these as soon as you can after they come out of the oven so that they’re still hot and crispy.
A yummy variation
It occurred to me that you could easily make a similar dish with roasted broccoli. Or with roasted brussels sprouts and broccoli mixed together.
The cooking time and temperature is the same. Just keep a close eye on the broccoli towards the end of the cooking time as it can burn easily too.
More things to know (recipe FAQ)
The brussels should be nicely browned and a little crispy in parts. Charred is OK but obviously you don’t want them to be completely burnt! Just keep an eye on them from around half way through the cooking time. If it looks like they’re browning too quickly, turn the oven down a little (say to 210 or 200C/around 400F).
Yes! What’s the point? They’ll take a little less time to cook in an air fryer, and they may even end up a bit crispier!
For air fryer roasted brussels sprouts, air fry at 205C or 400F for around 12 to 14 minutes. Just make sure you only have one layer of sprouts – otherwise they won’t be very crispy.
I’d recommend cooking for 7 minutes to begin with, then tossing and cooking again for another 5 to 7 minutes. You may need to cook for a little longer if your brussels sprouts are larger. Just keep a close eye on them and see how you go.
These are definitely best served when just out of the oven when crisp and hot. What I often do however is wash, cut and toss the brussels with the oil and salt and pepper, then cover and store in the fridge until ready to cook.
If you like you can caramelize the onions ahead too, then quickly reheat them (microwave is fine) before tossing them through the brussels.
More delicious brussels sprouts recipes
- Another roasted brussels sprouts recipe for you! These brussels sprouts with tahini sauce and almonds are off-the-charts delicious, not to mention super healthy.
- Fan of sheet pan dinners? Don’t miss this honey balsamic chicken with mushrooms and brussels sprouts.
- Christmas macaroni, anyone? Big shout out for this crowd pleasing leftover turkey, bacon and brussels sprouts macaroni cheese.
- This might not sound too thrilling, but give this brussels sprouts Greek yogurt coleslaw a try all the same. It’s healthy and tasty!
- Make TWO veggies in one with these easy (and amazing) roasted brussel sprouts and carrots. Perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter!
Or see all my side dish recipes.
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Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts With Caramelized Onions, Pine Nuts And Feta
Equipment (affiliate links)
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
For the brussels sprouts
For the dressing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ tablespoon honey
For the toppings
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts toasted (If not already toasted, toast in a dry pan for several minutes until golden brown. Shake the pan every now and again)
- 1½ ounces feta cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 220C/430F. Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
- Empty the washed and cut brussels sprouts onto the baking tray and drizzle over the olive oil. Include any leaves that have fallen off. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper.1 pound brussels sprouts, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Toss with a big spoon or your hands. Then roast the brussels sprouts for around 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy in parts (but not burnt).
- Meanwhile, caramelize the onions by cooking them in the olive oil/butter in a frying pan on a medium heat. Let cook for around 15 to 20 minutes or until sticky and reduced. Stir from time to time with a wooden spoon to stop them sticking to the pan.1 large onion, 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients and set aside.1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, ½ tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- When the brussels sprouts are cooked, immediately toss the caramelized onions and the dressing through them. Empty them into a serving bowl and sprinkle over the pine nuts and feta. Serve immediately.2 tablespoons pine nuts, 1½ ounces feta cheese
Notes
Nutrition
Erin says
This was absolutely amazing and dinner party worthy, for sure. I subbed fig jam for the honey and forgot the feta but other than that made as is. My steaks weren’t quite ready so I assembled this and kept in the toaster oven on warm and it held up very well which makes it nice. This is going on my holiday menu. Thank you!
Helen says
Hi Erin, so glad this worked out well for you. I love your ideas of using fig fam instead of honey. That sounds beautiful, and it’s helpful to know it holds up well if made a little ahead, too. Hope you enjoy it as much over the holidays! 🙂
Diana says
I received this recipe yesterday and made it last night. It is so easy to make and the flavour is wonderful. I feel sure EVERYONE will enjoy sprouts done this way. I made 4 portions and we ate all 4 between the two of us!
Highly highly recommended!
Helen says
Hi Diana! Thank you so much for the feedback! I’m so pleased you think these are such a winner, maybe even for people who don’t LOVE brussels sprouts 😉 Thanks again and hope you have a great Christmas and New Year!