Last month, my husband dragged me to Longhorn Steakhouse for his birthday dinner. I was skeptical about ordering vegetables at a steakhouse until I tasted their incredible Longhorn brussel sprouts. The crispy edges, that amazing honey butter sauce, and perfect seasoning completely changed my mind about this often-hated vegetable. Now I've cracked the code to recreate this restaurant magic at home, and tonight you'll discover why these brussel sprouts convert even the biggest veggie skeptics.
What Makes This Recipe Special
These Longhorn brussel sprouts beat the restaurant version because you control every ingredient and can make them exactly how your family likes them. I've tested this recipe dozens of times to get that perfect balance of crispy exterior and tender inside, plus that incredible sauce that makes everyone forget they're eating vegetables.
My kids actually request these now, which is saying something since they used to hide brussel sprouts under their napkins. The combination of honey, butter, and just the right amount of spice creates this addictive flavor that has people coming back for seconds and thirds.
Jump to:
- What Makes This Recipe Special
- What You'll Need
- How to Make Longhorn Brussel Sprouts
- Aliana's Kitchen Secrets
- Storage & Serving Tips
- Easy Swaps & Variations
- What to Serve With Longhorn Brussel Sprouts
- FAQs About Longhorn Brussel Sprouts
- More Delicious Sides You'll Love
- Related
- Pairing
- Longhorn Brussels Sprouts Recipe
- More DINNER
What You'll Need
These ingredients are probably already in your kitchen, which makes this copycat recipe so brilliant for weeknight dinners. The magic happens when simple pantry staples transform into that restaurant-quality sauce everyone raves about.
Crispy Brussels Sprouts
- Brussels sprouts
- Olive oil
- Sea salt
For the sauce
- Butter
- Chili powder or Calabrian chili rub
- Smoked paprika
- Sea salt
- Red pepper flakes
- Maple syrup
- Honey
Optional Extras
Feel free to add extra red pepper flakes if your family likes more heat, or drizzle with a bit more honey for extra sweetness.
This Longhorn brussel sprouts recipe is super easy — full steps are in the recipe card.
How to Make Longhorn Brussel Sprouts
Getting that perfect restaurant texture starts with proper prep and the right cooking technique. I've learned that blanching first is the secret to getting them crispy outside while staying tender inside, just like Longhorn does.
Prepare the Brussels sprouts and preheat Start by heating your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with foil. Bring a big pot of salted water to boil while you clean the Brussels sprouts. Remove any damaged outer leaves and trim the stems.
Cut and prep for perfect texture Cut each sprout in half lengthwise to help them get more sauce and crispy edges. This step is crucial for getting that perfect Longhorn steakhouse brussel sprouts texture.
Blanch for restaurant results Drop the halved Brussels sprouts into the boiling water for about 6 minutes until they're just fork tender. Drain them well and pat completely dry with paper towels.
Make the signature sauce While the sprouts cool, whisk together melted butter, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, red pepper flakes, maple syrup, and honey in a small bowl. This copycat Longhorn brussel sprouts sauce is what makes the whole dish incredible.
How do restaurants get their Brussels sprouts so crispy? The secret is blanching first, then roasting at high heat with proper spacing. Most home cooks skip the blanching step, but it's essential for restaurant-quality results.
Roast to crispy perfection Toss the dried sprouts with olive oil and salt, then spread them cut-side down on your prepared baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the edges are golden brown and crispy.
Finish with the magic sauce Remove from oven and immediately toss the hot Brussels sprouts with your prepared sauce. The heat will help the sauce coat every surface perfectly. Serve right away while they're still sizzling.
Aliana's Kitchen Secrets
- Here's what took me forever to figure out but makes all the difference: don't skip the blanching step even though it seems like extra work.
- I used to just roast them straight from raw, and they never had that perfect tender-crispy combo that Longhorn brussel sprouts nails every time.
- Also, make sure your Brussels sprouts are completely dry after blanching or they'll steam instead of getting those beautiful caramelized edges.
- My biggest breakthrough came when I started putting them cut-side down on the pan, which creates more surface area for browning.
- The sauce needs to go on while they're still hot from the oven so it actually penetrates instead of just sitting on top.
- Once you master this technique, your homemade Longhorn brussel sprouts will taste exactly like the restaurant version, and honestly, sometimes even better because you can control the spice level perfectly.
Storage & Serving Tips
These brussel sprouts taste best when served immediately while they're still hot and crispy. You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days, but reheat them in a hot skillet to bring back some of that crispiness.
Easy Swaps & Variations
Want to change things up? Try using Brussels sprouts in the air fryer for extra crispiness, just cook them at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes after blanching. My brother loves when I make them spicier by doubling the red pepper flakes, while my mom prefers a sweeter version with extra honey.
You can also swap the maple syrup for brown sugar if that's what you have on hand. For a smokier flavor, add a pinch of chipotle powder to the sauce. These Longhorn brussel sprouts work great as a holiday side dish too, and I've even seen people use this same sauce on roasted cauliflower or carrots when they want something different.
What to Serve With Longhorn Brussel Sprouts
These Longhorn brussel sprouts pair perfectly with grilled steak, roasted chicken, or pork tenderloin for a complete steakhouse experience at home. My family loves them alongside garlic mashed potatoes and a simple Caesar salad when we're doing Sunday dinner.
FAQs About Longhorn Brussel Sprouts
What is the sauce on the Brussels sprouts at LongHorn Steakhouse?
The sauce is a honey butter mixture with chili powder, smoked paprika, maple syrup, and red pepper flakes. It's sweet, spicy, and buttery all at once, which makes these Brussels sprouts so addictive and popular.
How do restaurants get their Brussels sprouts so crispy?
Restaurants blanch them first, then roast at high heat with proper spacing. The blanching step partially cooks them while the high-heat roasting creates those perfect crispy edges. Check out more restaurant-style Brussels sprouts techniques for additional tips.
When can you not eat brussel sprouts?
Avoid Brussels sprouts if they're yellowing, have black spots, or smell sour. Fresh ones should be bright green and firm. Also skip them if you're on blood thinners since they're high in vitamin K.
Is LongHorn brussel sprouts healthy?
Yes, they're relatively healthy! Brussels sprouts are packed with vitamins C and K, plus fiber. While the butter sauce adds calories, it's still much healthier than most restaurant sides and you're getting great nutrition. Learn more about Brussels sprouts nutrition.
What is the key to crispy brussels sprouts?
The key is blanching first, drying thoroughly, cutting them in half, and roasting cut-side down at high heat. Don't overcrowd the pan and make sure they're completely dry before adding oil and seasoning.
More Delicious Sides You'll Love
If you're looking for more restaurant-style sides to complete your meal, these recipes bring that same steakhouse quality right to your kitchen:
Sheet Pan Fajitas Chicken - Bold flavors and easy cleanup make this the perfect weeknight dinner solution.
Baked Salmon Recipe - Flaky, tender fish with restaurant-quality results every single time you make it.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe - Rich, creamy pasta that's so good it'll make anyone fall in love instantly.
Craving more copycat magic? These Longhorn brussel sprouts prove you can recreate any restaurant favorite at home.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes - I'd love to see your steakhouse creation!
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Longhorn Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large pot For blanching Brussels sprouts in boiling water
- 1 Large baking sheet To roast Brussels sprouts with proper spacing
- 1 Small mixing bowl To whisk together the signature honey butter sauce
- 1 Sharp knife For halving Brussels sprouts and trimming stems
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts - Fresh, outer leaves removed and stems trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil - For roasting Brussels sprouts
- 1 teaspoon sea salt - For seasoning Brussels sprouts before roasting
- 4 tablespoons butter - Melted, for the signature sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder - Or Calabrian chili rub if available
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika - Adds smoky depth to the sauce
- ½ teaspoon sea salt - For the honey butter sauce
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes - Adjust to taste for heat level
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup - Pure maple syrup works best
- 1 tablespoon honey - For natural sweetness in the sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Brussels sprouts and preheat. Start by heating your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with foil. Bring a big pot of salted water to boil while you clean the Brussels sprouts. Remove any damaged outer leaves and trim the stems.
- Cut and prep for perfect texture. Cut each sprout in half lengthwise to help them get more sauce and crispy edges. This step is crucial for getting that perfect Longhorn steakhouse brussel sprouts texture.
- Blanch for restaurant results. Drop the halved Brussels sprouts into the boiling water for about 6 minutes until they're just fork tender. Drain them well and pat completely dry with paper towels.
- Make the signature sauce. While the sprouts cool, whisk together melted butter, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, red pepper flakes, maple syrup, and honey in a small bowl. This copycat Longhorn brussel sprouts sauce is what makes the whole dish incredible.
- Roast to crispy perfection. Toss the dried sprouts with olive oil and salt, then spread them cut-side down on your prepared baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the edges are golden brown and crispy.
- Finish with the magic sauce. Remove from oven and immediately toss the hot Brussels sprouts with your prepared sauce. The heat will help the sauce coat every surface perfectly. Serve right away while they're still sizzling.
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