Ingredients
For the Brussels Sprouts
2 pounds (900 g) fresh Brussels sprouts
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
For the BBQ Glaze
1/3 cup BBQ sauce
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 small garlic clove, minced
For Finishing
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Fresh lemon wedges
Extra black pepper
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare the Brussels Sprouts
Wash the Brussels sprouts thoroughly under cold running water.
Trim off the tough bottom ends and remove any damaged or yellow outer leaves.
Cut the larger Brussels sprouts in half. Smaller ones can be left whole, but cutting them in half allows the seasoning and heat to reach the center more easily.
Place all the prepared Brussels sprouts into a large bowl.
- Parboil the Brussels Sprouts
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
Add the Brussels sprouts and cook for approximately 3–4 minutes.
You don’t want to fully cook them. They should become slightly tender while still remaining firm.
Drain them immediately and transfer them to a bowl of cold water for about 1–2 minutes.
Drain again and pat them very dry with paper towels.
This step helps the Brussels sprouts cook evenly while keeping the inside tender and the outside crisp.
🧄 3. Prepare the Garlic Seasoning
In a small bowl, combine:
Olive oil
Minced garlic
Sea salt
Black pepper
Smoked paprika
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Oregano
Thyme
Red pepper flakes
Mix everything together until you have a fragrant seasoning mixture.
- Season the Brussels Sprouts
Pour the garlic seasoning over the Brussels sprouts.
Toss gently until every Brussels sprout is evenly coated.
Make sure the cut sides receive plenty of seasoning because they will develop a beautiful golden-brown crust during cooking.
Let the Brussels sprouts sit for approximately 10–15 minutes so they can absorb the flavors.
🍢 5. Prepare the Skewers
If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20–30 minutes before cooking. This helps prevent them from burning.
Thread the Brussels sprouts onto the skewers.
If you’ve cut them in half, alternate the pieces so the flat sides face different directions.
Don’t pack them too tightly together. Leave a little space between each Brussels sprout so hot air can circulate around them.
🔥 6. Prepare the BBQ Glaze
In a small bowl, combine:
BBQ sauce
Melted butter
Honey or maple syrup
Worcestershire sauce
Lemon juice
Smoked paprika
Minced garlic
Stir until completely smooth.
The glaze should be smoky, slightly sweet, tangy, and garlicky.
🍽️ 7. Arrange the Skewers
Place the Brussels sprout skewers on a lightly greased baking tray or wire rack.
Make sure the skewers aren’t overcrowded.
Brush the Brussels sprouts lightly with the BBQ glaze.
Keep some glaze aside for later.
🔥 8. Roast the Brussels Sprouts
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Place the tray in the oven and roast for approximately 20–25 minutes.
After about 12 minutes, carefully turn the skewers over.
Brush them with another layer of BBQ glaze.
Continue roasting until the Brussels sprouts are tender and deeply golden.
🔥 9. Create the Charred Finish
For an extra smoky, restaurant-style finish, turn on the oven broiler/grill for the final 2–3 minutes.
Watch them carefully during this stage.
The edges should become beautifully caramelized and slightly charred without burning.
This creates the delicious roasted flavor shown in the finished dish.
🧈 10. Add the Final Garlic Butter Glaze
Remove the skewers from the oven.
While they’re still hot, brush them with a final thin layer of the BBQ glaze.
The heat will help the glaze become glossy and sticky.
Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and a little freshly ground black pepper.
If desired, finish with a small amount of grated Parmesan.
🍋 11. Serve
Transfer the hot Brussels sprout skewers to a serving plate.
Serve with fresh lemon wedges on the side.
Squeeze a little lemon juice over the Brussels sprouts immediately before eating.
The combination of smoky BBQ glaze, roasted garlic, caramelized edges, and fresh lemon makes these incredibly flavorful.
⭐ Tips for Perfect Brussels Sprout Skewers
Choose fresh Brussels sprouts
Look for firm, bright-green Brussels sprouts without excessive yellow leaves.
Don’t overcook them before roasting
Parboiling should only soften them slightly. Overcooking can make them mushy.
Dry them well
Excess moisture prevents proper browning and crisping.
Give them space
Don’t overcrowd the skewers or baking tray. Good airflow helps create crispy edges.
Use high heat
A temperature around 425°F (220°C) helps caramelize the outside while keeping the inside tender.
Add BBQ sauce toward the end
Too much sauce too early can cause the glaze to burn before the Brussels sprouts are fully cooked.
Get them extra crispy
For the best char, finish under the broiler for 2–3 minutes while watching closely.
🌶️ Optional Variations
Spicy BBQ Brussels Sprouts
Add 1/2–1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or extra red pepper flakes to the seasoning.
Honey Garlic Version
Increase the honey to 2 tablespoons and reduce the BBQ sauce slightly for a sweeter glaze.
Parmesan Garlic Version
Add freshly grated Parmesan immediately after removing the skewers from the oven.
Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Add small pieces of partially cooked bacon between the Brussels sprouts on the skewers.
Lemon Herb Version
Skip the BBQ glaze and finish the roasted Brussels sprouts with lemon juice, parsley, thyme, and Parmesan.
🍽️ What to Serve With Them
These skewers work wonderfully as a side dish with:
Grilled chicken
Steak
BBQ ribs
Roasted chicken
Grilled salmon
Burgers
Baked potatoes
Rice
Quinoa
Fresh garden salad
They can also be served as a vegetarian appetizer with a bowl of extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
⏱️ Preparation Time
20 minutes
🔥 Cooking Time
25–30 minutes
🕐 Total Time
About 50 minutes
🍢 Servings
4–6 servings
🌱 Final Result
Tender Brussels sprouts with crispy caramelized edges, smoky BBQ flavor, roasted garlic, fresh herbs, and a glossy savory-sweet glaze—perfect for a family dinner, BBQ, party appetizer, or holiday side dish.