Smoked Brussels Sprouts

Why Smoke Your Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts, being related to cabbage, are naturally sweet. Yes, they’re bitter too, but the natural sweetness accompanying it just tastes great with a bit of caramelization and smoky goodness to ramp up the deliciousness factor. And you can do double duty while smoking the main course.😉

Recipe Ingredients

• Brussels Sprouts – This underrated vegetable enjoys an earthy and slightly bitter taste. Smoking them enhances their goodness for a winning side dish.
• Glaze – Butter, balsamic vinegar, and honey create the perfect sauce to enhance this nutritious veggie.
• Bacon – Need I say more? Salty decadence for just about any recipe. You can leave it out if you want.

How to Smoke Brussels Sprouts

Prepare Brussels Sprouts

1. Prep – Trim the Brussels sprouts by removing any dry or bruised leaves and peeling away the loose outer leaves. Then cut the sprouts in half through the stem and place them in a half-sheet pan.
2. Heat your butter over low in a small skillet or cast iron pan until it simmers and becomes fragrant, which takes about 3-4 minutes. Be careful because it can burn quickly. Set it aside and allow it to cool slightly.
3. Finish the Glaze – In the same pan, whisk in the balsamic vinegar and honey until well combined.
4. Pour the butter-honey-balsamic mixture over the Brussels sprouts in the half-sheet pan, stirring to coat all the sprouts evenly in the sauce.

Get Ready to Smoke

5. Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).
6. Bacon – If using bacon, place the strips directly on the smoker grates and smoke them for about 20 minutes until crispy. Remove bacon from the smoker, let it cool slightly, and then chop it into bits.
7. Sprinkle the smoked bacon bits over the Brussels sprouts for added flavor and crunch.
8. Smoke – Place the sheet pan with the Brussels sprouts in the preheated smoker and smoke them at 225°F (107°C) until tender. This process usually takes 1-1½ hours. Remember to stir the sprouts once or twice during the smoking process to ensure even cooking.
9. Ready – Once the Brussels sprouts are cooked to your desired tenderness, remove them from the smoker and let them cool slightly.
10. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
11. Serve the smoked Brussels sprouts immediately as a delicious side dish.

Recipe Variations

There are so many delicious ways you can switch up this recipe. Here are a few:

• Bacon-Wrapped Delight: Take your sprouts to the next level by wrapping each sprout with a slice of bacon before smoking instead of bacon bits. The bacon will render its savory goodness, creating an irresistible combination of smoky bacon and tender sprouts.
• Glaze Swap – Instead of balsamic glaze, you can switch it up with maple syrup for that additional sweetness. 
• Ethnic Flair – If you’re in the mood for Asian, add soy sauce and sesame oil to the mix, then sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
• More Seasonings – Another great way of enjoying this is adding garlic and herbs. Basil, oregano, thyme, etc., give it a pleasant and refreshing taste.
• Spicy Twist – Replace the balsamic vinegar with apple cider vinegar and add smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Perfect for any heat lover.
• Roasted – No time to smoke? Preheat your broiler and broil them for 12-15 minutes, stirring them at 5-minute intervals so they cook evenly.
• Grilled – Leave your Brussels sprouts whole and parboil them for about 5 minutes. Then cover them in the balsamic vinegar and honey sauce, and slap those babies on the grill for 12-15 minutes, turning them as needed for even cooking.

Tips and Tricks

• Finish on the Grill: For an extra charred and smoky exterior, transfer the smoked sprouts to a preheated grill for a few minutes. This will deliver beautiful grill marks and slight crispiness for an additional layer of smokiness to the overall flavor profile.
• Watch: Be careful not to overcook them because mushy veggies aren’t that pleasant.
• Fix It: If you do accidentally overcook them, puree them in the blender with a little chicken broth for a cream of Brussels sprout soup. Top with some shaved Parmesan, and tell everyone you meant to do that.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Brussels sprouts are best eaten the day you make them. But you can prepare the dish’s elements in advance. Simply do the initial prep work. Trim and season the Brussels sprouts with salt and pepper. Store them in the refrigerator. Prepare the butter, balsamic vinegar, and honey glaze and refrigerate it separately.

On the day of smoking, preheat the smoker and coat the sprouts with the glaze. And then proceed with the rest of the instructions.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Brussels sprouts are best eaten the day you make them. However, if you have leftovers, don’t throw them out. Place them in a bowl with a lid or sealable plastic bag. Refrigerate until you are ready to reheat. They’re best eaten within 2-3 days.

To reheat, you can do it 3 ways.

• Microwave – place in a microwave plate and reheat for about 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
• Oven – The second method is the oven -Preheat the oven to o 350°F (175°C). Place sprouts in an oven-safe dish and heat them up for 10-15 minutes.
• Skillet – And last but not least is in the skillet. Add desired fat (bacon fat, oil, butter, or beef tallow) to a skillet, followed by the sprouts. Saute, stirring every few minutes, until heated through (5-7 minutes).

FAQs

What to Serve With Smoked Brussels Sprouts

• Smoked Pulled Pork: Tantalizing and succulent, smoked pulled pork is undoubtedly a comfort food classic and pairs well with Brussels sprouts.
• Grilled Chicken Thighs: One of my favorites! Smoked or grilled chicken thighs is an excellent choice.
• Grilled Salmon: Fresh salmon fillets, marinated and grilled to perfection, provide a light and flavorful main dish. The smokiness from grilling the salmon pairs wonderfully with the smoky Brussels sprouts, creating a delightful balance of flavors.
• Smoked Brisket: A barbecue classic will take your taste buds on a smoky adventure. The tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef, infused with smoky flavors, is an excellent companion to the smoky sprouts. Together, they create a robust and satisfying meal.

More Super Satisfying Side Dish Recipes to Try

• Grilled Onions
• Smoked Asparagus
• Grilled Pineapple
• Smoked Pineapple

Conclusion

There you have my new obsession! Super simple smoked Brussels sprouts for the ideal side dish. Have you tried it yet? Let me know what you think.