Steamed & Sautéed Brussels Sprouts in Honey Garlic Glaze

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Quickly and easily make steamed and sautéed Brussels sprouts with your Instant Pot in under 30 minutes. These tender on the inside, pan-crisped Brussels sprouts make the perfect vegetarian side dish for any weeknight meal!

I never ate Brussels sprouts when I was in India and when I first had it in the US, I wasn’t quite enthralled. That is until I tried honey-roasted Brussels sprouts. It had the perfect melt-in-the-mouth texture – soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. I have been in love with these sprouts ever since, and it often finds their way into our weekly rotation. 

Looking for an air fryer version? Check out this post – Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

What are Brussels sprouts?

Brussel sprouts come from the Gemmifera family of vegetables. Often called mini cabbage, the edible Brussel sprout buds grow on a larger stalk most popularly harvested in Brussels, thus their name. While Brussels sprouts might be called mini cabbage, these little buds have their own flavor and unique health benefits, making them a delicious vegetable choice.

Health benefits of Brussels sprouts

Some of the health benefits include daily nutrients, such as vitamin C and vitamin K, which are good for bone health. This cruciferous vegetable also contains roughly 4 grams of fiber per cup and Omega-3 fatty acids. 

What you’ll like about the recipe

1. Minimal hands-on time: 1-2 minutes of sautéing and 2 minutes of pressure cook time. 
2. Easy to prepare.
3. Filling and healthy side dish.
4. Ready in under 30 minutes.

How to make crispy Brussels sprouts

Ingredients

Brussels Sprouts – Washed, trimmed, and cut lengthwise
Honey Garlic Glaze– Lime juice, minced garlic, chili pepper flakes, honey, salt, and pepper

Directions

1. Wash the Brussels sprouts under running water. Cut in half lengthwise and trim the bottom stem.
2. In the steel insert of the Instant Pot, add 1.5 cups water along with the sliced Brussels sprouts.
3. Set the valve to sealing and pressure cook on high for 2 minutes.
4. When the pressure cooking cycle completes, release the pressure by moving the valve from sealing to venting.
5. Then transfer the Brussels sprouts to a plate and wipe down with a clean paper towel or cloth to remove any water.
6. Next, drain the water from the Instant Pot and wipe the steel insert clean. [Skip this step if you plan to pan roast the Brussel sprouts.]
7. In a small bowl, prepare the honey garlic marinade. Mix together lime juice, garlic, crushed red chili pepper flakes, honey, salt, and black pepper.
8. Toss the steamed sprouts with the marinade.
9. In a grill pan or using the Instant Pot sauté function, heat avocado oil over medium heat.
10. Once the oil heats up, add the marinated sprouts along with the marinade to the pan.
11. Cook for 1-2 minutes to evenly brown the Brussels sprouts.
12. Remove from heat and add a dash of lime juice and pepper to the Brussels sprouts before serving. Alternatively, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Variations

1. Add parmesan cheese as a garnish to give it an interesting twist. 
2. Add nuts to the mix – we love our sprouts with toasted walnuts since it adds a nice crunchiness to the dish. 
3. You can sauté the sprouts in butter instead of oil to make it even more flavorful. 

Commonly asked questions about steamed Brussel sprouts

Are Brussels sprouts healthy?

Yes. This cruciferous vegetable provides vitamin K, vitamin C, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids. It is also low in calories and high in fiber!

How to trim and cut Brussels sprouts

Rinse the sprouts under running water to dislodge any dirt. Trim off the bottom stem. Remove and discard any yellow or discolored leaves. Use small-sized sprouts as is and halve the larger ones length-wise. 

How to season Brussels sprouts

The best time to season Brussel sprouts is after steaming, but before sautéing. This allows the seasoning to help crisp the Brussel sprouts while they sauté and really get the flavors cooked in.

How long do Brussels sprouts take to steam?

Depending on how you steam your Brussel sprouts, the amount of time may differ. Steaming Brussel sprouts on the stovetop take roughly 6-8 minutes. Steaming Brussel sprouts using the instant pot takes just 2 minutes.

Is it better to steam or boil Brussels sprouts?

This depends largely on personal preference. Boiled Brussel sprouts tend to get a bad rap because they are often overcooked and result in a soggy, tasteless mess. When cooked properly, boiled Brussel sprouts should be just as bright and crisp as steamed Brussel sprouts.

Are steamed Brussels sprouts good for you?

Definitely! Steaming Brussel sprouts as opposed to roasting or cooking on a skillet involves cooking without oil. This helps keep the nutritional benefits of eating Brussel sprouts without adding any saturated fats or oils. 

Can you steam and then roast Brussels sprouts?

Yes, you can, and that’s my preferred approach. That way the outsides are crisp and the insides are soft. To steam, Brussel sprouts, use an Instant Pot and cook for 2 minutes. When the cooking cycle is complete, release the pressure immediately. Toss it in a marinade of your choice (more details in the recipe card). Roast or sauté it in a pan for about 2-3 minutes to caramelize it.

How do you make steamed and sautéed Brussels sprouts taste good?

Adding a pinch of salt helps bring out the buttery flavor of Brussel sprouts. Other ways to make this cruciferous vegetable taste better include adding spices such as garlic powder and onion powder after cooking, tossing with sautéed onions, or even drizzling with a little balsamic vinegar!

What pairs with Brussels sprouts?

Serve your tender on the inside, crispy on the outside steamed and sautéed Brussel sprouts with chicken, steak, sausage, or salmon. It pairs perfectly with them all!

Can you freeze Brussels sprouts?

You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it because they tend to get soggy when reheated. For best results, store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

Other delicious side dishes to try in the Instant Pot 

1. Honey Glazed Instant Pot Carrots– Learn how to steam carrots in the Instant Pot and glaze them to make this delicious side dish. This carrot side dish is perfect for busy weeknights and for holiday dinners. 
2. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes– This delicious Instant Pot mashed potatoes recipe is a keeper. Yields creamy and fluffy mashed potatoes all in one pot and in under 30 minutes.
3. Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes – Make these Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes for all of your busy weeknight dinners or holiday meal prep! This naturally vegan and gluten-free sweet potato recipe uses two ingredients for fork-tender sweet potatoes every time.
4. Instant Pot Baked Potatoes –  Learn how to cook this classic, comfort food side dish with just two ingredients and very little prep work.
5. Instant Pot Corn on the cob – If you’re looking for a healthy side dish, or the perfect vegetable to serve at your Summer BBQ party, you’ll love this easy Instant Pot corn on the cob. Flavorful, juicy, and perfectly cooked every time.