Red Lobster Brussels Sprouts (Copycat Recipe)
Enjoy crispy brussels sprouts topped with a sweet soy-ginger glaze and crispy fried onions just like Red Lobster! This copycat Red Lobster Brussels Sprouts recipe is the best quick and easy side dish with a touch of restaurant quality! Enjoy this Red Lobster side dish right at home!
When I was a kid in the 90s, going to Red Lobster felt like the fanciest thing ever. Walking into that dark, cozy restaurant with the smell of those cheddar biscuits felt like a real treat!
I’m excited to share this recipe that brings a bit of that Red Lobster magic home. These Brussels sprouts are roasted until crispy and tossed in a sweet and tangy soy-ginger glaze. They’re just like the ones from Red Lobster with crispy fried onions on top for that extra crunch. Even if Brussels sprouts weren’t your thing back then, I think this recipe might change your mind!
🧾 Ingredients You’ll Need
- Brussels sprouts – Fresh sprouts are best, but you can use frozen brussels sprouts -just be sure to thaw and dry them well before beginning this recipe. Keep in mind smaller brussels sprouts are picked before maturity, so they’re sweeter and less earthy than larger ones.
- Avocado oil – This is my favorite healthy cooking oil with a high smoke point. You can also use olive oil.
- Salt & black pepper – To lightly season the sprouts before cooking.
- Crispy fried onions – You can usually find them stocked near the croutons and salad dressings. If gluten-free, most stores offer gluten-free crispy fried onions as well. See the FAQ to learn how to make them yourself.
- Soy-ginger glaze – It’s so simple yet so flavorful. You’ll need soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and dried ginger. You can use coconut aminos or tamari sauce instead of soy sauce for a soy-free and gluten-free substitution.
🥣 How To Make Red Lobster Brussel Sprouts
1️⃣ Prep brussels sprouts. Prepare the brussels sprouts by washing them thoroughly and removing any bruised or damaged leaves. Cut the stems and slice the sprouts in half with a sharp knife. Toss with avocado oil, salt, and pepper.
2️⃣ Roast brussels sprouts. Spread the seasoned brussels sprouts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cook at 400°F for 40 minutes or until the brussels sprouts are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
3️⃣ Make glaze. 10-15 minutes before the brussels sprouts are finished, make the glaze. Add the soy-ginger glaze ingredients to a small saucepot and whisk to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, lower the heat, and gently simmer for 5-8 minutes or until the mixture thickens.
4️⃣ Assemble and serve. Add the roasted brussels sprouts to a serving bowl. Drizzle the glaze over the top and gently toss to coat the sprouts thoroughly. Top with crispy fried onions and serve hot.
♨ Make Them In The Air Fryer
- To make Red Lobster brussels sprouts in the air fryer, prep and season them as instructed in the oven directions and preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- Place the seasoned brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket and cook, tossing occasionally, for 20-25 minutes or until the brussels sprouts are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
- Prepare the glaze, assemble the dish as instructed in the oven instructions, and enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Chef’s Tips
- For the crispiest brussels sprouts, preheat the sheet pan (or air fryer basket) before spreading the brussels sprouts in a single, even layer on top. Be sure not to overcrowd them.
- Whisk the glaze mixture continuously as it heats so the brown sugar doesn’t begin to burn. If it becomes too thick, whisk in a splash of water to thin it out.
- No soggy brussels sprouts! You don’t want the heat and moisture from the brussels sprouts to soften the crispy fried onions, so it’s important to add them to the dish immediately before you’re ready to serve.
🔪 How to Trim Brussels Sprouts
If you’re new to cooking brussels sprouts, here’s a quick brief on how to prep them for roasting and air frying.
- Place the brussels sprouts in a colander and rinse well under cold water. Dry thoroughly. Remove any discolored or bruised outer leaves.
- Using a sharp knife, trim away the hard, woody stem on the bottom. Then, slice the sprouts in half vertically.
🍽 Customize It
- Glaze variations: The glaze is easy to modify with other sweeteners and flavors. You can substitute the brown sugar for honey or maple syrup.
- Add more veggies: Feel free to cook other vegetables with the brussels sprouts. Select ones that cook similarly, like sweet potato, carrots, and butternut squash.
- Gluten Free & Soy Free: Instead of using soy sauce, use tamari or coconut aminos to keep it gluten free and soy free.
- Spicy: Turn up the heat with a teaspoon or two of spicy sriracha or chili-garlic sauce. Or sprinkle the brussels with a bit of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Crispy Fried Onion Swaps: If you don’t enjoy crispy onions, try using toasted panko breadcrumbs, crispy bakon bits, fried shallots, parmesan cheese, chopped nuts, or crispy chickpeas.
🍽️Perfect Pairings
You can serve this as an elegant appetizer with garlic aioli or as a side for special occasions or any day of the year. Make it a meal with these recipes:
- Sous Vide Steak & Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
- Stuffed Turkey Tenderloin & Ranch Mashed Cauliflower
- Broiled Salmon & Sous Vide Rice
♻ Storing & Freezing
Storing: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, add them to a pan with a bit of avocado oil and reheat over medium heat until the sprouts are re-crisped and warmed through. Likewise, you can reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer at 375F for 5-8 minutes.
Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing brussels sprouts once cooked. They will inevitably become soggy during the thawing process.
❔FAQ
To avoid mushy Brussels sprouts, make sure not to overcrowd the pan when roasting, and keep a close eye on the cooking time. Roasting them cut-side down on a preheated baking sheet also helps them get extra crispy.
The soy-ginger glaze can be made up to a day in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. It thickens as it cools, so it’s best to prepare it ahead of time.
Yes, you can use frozen Brussels sprouts for this recipe. Make sure to thaw them completely before cooking to ensure they roast evenly and achieve that crispy texture. Just be aware that they might not get as crispy as fresh ones.
The best way to reheat leftover Brussels sprouts is in an air fryer or an oven to maintain their crispiness. Avoid using a microwave as it can make the sprouts soggy. Reheat in the air fryer at 325°F for 4-5 minutes or in the oven at 375°F until warmed through.
🥬 More Brussels Sprouts Recipes
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Asian-shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Bacon-wrapped Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Aioli
- Sous Vide Brussels Sprouts
Red Lobster Brussels Sprouts
Equipment
- baking sheet OR air fryer
- saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 pound brussels sprouts trimmed and halved
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspooon black pepper
- ½ cup crispy fried onions
Soy Ginger Glaze
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried ginger
Instructions
Oven instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the brussels sprouts by washing them thoroughly and removing any bruised or damaged leaves. Cut the stems off and slice the sprouts in half with a sharp knife.
- Add the prepared brussels sprouts to a mixing bowl and toss with avocado oil, salt, and pepper until coated.
- Spread the seasoned brussels sprouts on the parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for 40 minutes or until the brussels sprouts are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
- 10-15 minutes before the brussels sprouts are finished roasting, make the glaze. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and dried ginger to a small saucepot and whisk to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, lower the heat, and gently simmer for 5-8 minutes or until the glaze thickens.
- Add the roasted brussels sprouts to a serving bowl. Drizzle the glaze over the top and gently toss to coat the sprouts completely. Top with crispy fried onions and serve hot.
Air fryer instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 3-5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the brussels sprouts by washing them thoroughly and removing any bruised or damaged leaves. Cut the stems off and cut the sprouts in half with a sharp knife.
- Add the prepared brussels sprouts to a mixing bowl and toss with avocado oil, salt, and pepper until coated.
- Place the seasoned brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket and cook, tossing occasionally, for 20-25 minutes or until the brussels sprouts are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
- 10-15 minutes before the brussels sprouts are finished, make the glaze. Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and dried ginger in a small saucepot, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, and gently simmer for 5-8 minutes or until the glaze thickens.
- Add the air-fried brussels sprouts to a serving bowl. Drizzle the glaze over the top and gently toss until coated. Top with crispy fried onions and serve hot.
