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4.67 from 3 votes

The Best Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

These caramelized Brussels sprouts are a revelation! Sweet and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, almost candy-like, and incredibly delicious.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 179kcal
Author: Adina

Equipment

  • Large pan 12 inches/ 30 cm
  • Large pot

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lb Brussels sprouts uncleaned weight, Note 1
  • 3 tablespoons butter Note 2
  • 2 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
  • fine sea salt or Kosher, to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Boil water: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Use the time to clean the Brussels sprouts.
  • Trim Brussels sprouts: Cut off the tough stem with a small knife. Remove the wilted outer leaves. Cut the sprouts in half, but leave the tiny ones whole. Rinse them well in a colander.
  • Par-boil sprouts: Add salt and the sprouts to the boiling water. Cook them for about 5 minutes, you should be able to stick a fork into them, but they should not be mushy (they will still have to cook for a few minutes in the pan). Drain in the colander.
  • Make the caramel: Melt the butter in a large pan. Add the sugar and let it melt. At first, the sugar-butter mixture will be yellowish and foamy, and it will seem that the two ingredients will separate. Stir gently to help them come together. The mixture will soon start changing color.
  • Caramelize Brussels sprouts: Once the sugar mixture starts getting darker, add the sprouts. Turn them well in the pan to coat them, and continue turning them in the pan (with a wooden spoon) until the sugar is caramelized and the Brussels sprouts are covered with the caramel mixture. This step will take about 3-4 minutes (Note 3).

Notes

  1. You will have about 1 lb/ 450 g left after cleaning the sprouts
  2. Salted or unsalted butter, adjust the salt you need accordingly.
  3. Keep an eye on the sugar mixture, it should have a nice amber color, but it should not get too dark, or it will turn bitter.

Nutrition

Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 664mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1549IU | Vitamin C: 145mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 2mg