This copycat recipe for Red Lobster Crispy Brussels Sprouts will quickly become a favorite side dish for your family! Crispy roasted Brussels sprouts tossed in a sweet soy-ginger glaze.
Red Lobster’s crispy brussels sprouts are a fan favorite appetizer on their menu. These crispy, caramelized brussels sprouts are tossed in a sweet and savory soy-ginger glaze that makes them irresistible. But what exactly is in this top-secret restaurant recipe sauce? We did some investigating to try to uncover the mystery ingredients.
Attempting to Recreate the Sauce at Home
Several talented home cooks and food bloggers have attempted to recreate the Red Lobster crispy brussels sprouts recipe. By studying the flavor profile and comparing to the original, they have come up with some plausible copycat recipes that come close to the real thing.
According to Simply Side Dishes, the Red Lobster sauce contains honey brown sugar, soy sauce ginger, and red pepper flakes. They recommend combining the sauce ingredients over medium heat then letting it cool and thicken before tossing with the roasted brussels sprouts.
The Food Hussy’s copycat recipe is similar but uses less honey and adds butter for extra richness. She simmers the sauce mixture over low heat for a thicker glaze consistency. Her recipe contains honey soy sauce sugar, butter, and ginger.
So it seems the basic formula is equal parts sweet and salty, accented by the ginger’s spicy kick. While their recipes aren’t identical, we can infer a lot about the ingredients that likely make up the original Red Lobster sauce.
Sweet and Savory Sauce Ingredients
Based on the copycat recipes and the distinct flavor of the real crispy brussels sprouts, we can make an educated guess at what goes into the restaurant’s signature sauce. Here are the probable ingredients:
Sweetener – The sauce needs a sweet base. Honey and brown sugar are likely candidates used for the subtle caramel/molasses flavors. Sugar also helps thicken the sauce.
Soy Sauce – This provides salty, umami depth and that distinctive Asian-inspired taste. They may use regular or low-sodium soy.
Butter – For a silky texture and richness. Clarified butter is a possibility as it can withstand high heat without burning.
Fresh Ginger – This adds a sharp, spicy edge. They either use grated fresh ginger or ginger paste for convenience.
Garlic – Often paired with ginger, garlic could provide subtle aroma and flavor.
Cornstarch – Thickens the sauce so it coats the sprouts instead of making them soggy.
Rice Vinegar – A sprinkle of vinegar brightens flavors. Rice vinegar adds mild acidity.
Sesame Oil – Just a drop or two provides nuttiness and Asian essence.
Testing Sauce Ingredients
To truly unlock the mystery of Red Lobster’s addictive crispy brussels sprouts sauce, we decided to experiment by testing potential ingredients and tweaking proportions. We tried out various combinations, adjusting balances of sweet and salty flavors and the intensity of ginger.
We determined that equal parts honey and soy sauce created the best base, while seasoned rice vinegar and sesame oil enhanced the Asian profile. Butter and cornstarch resulted in the ideal thick, glossy texture. And a generous amount of freshly grated ginger gave it the perfect punch of heat.
Through trial and error, we settled on our favorite replica recipe. While we can’t guarantee it’s identical to Red Lobster’s original recipe (after all, we’re not professional chefs!), it produces a sauce that’s indistinguishable from the real thing. Feel free to try our copycat and see for yourself!
The Verdict: Sweet, Savory, Spicy Perfection
Next time you’re craving Red Lobster’s crispy brussels sprouts, don’t hesitate to give the copycat recipe a try at home. The combination of caramelized sprouts bathed in a sweet and salty ginger glaze is sheer delight. Though the exact ingredients remain elusive, the techniques for creating this crave-worthy sauce aren’t a secret anymore. A touch of simmering, a sprinkle of seasoning, and a medley of flavors come together to deliver sweet, savory, spicy perfection.
Recipe Substitutions & Variations
I love this copycat recipe as it is – but you can make a couple of tweaks to make it spicier or meatier!
- Sweetener – you can play with the sweetener – swapping the honey and sugar with a combo of maple syrup and/or brown sugar!
- Bacon – Add diced bacon to the sheet pan for the last 10 minutes
- Green Beans – this would be great if you swapped out the sprouts for green beans or broccoli as well!
- Spicy – add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the glaze for a spicy kick!
How to make Copycat Red Lobster Brussels Sprouts
Such a simple recipe – get those Brussels sprouts in the oven and there’s not much else to it!
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
- Cut Brussels sprouts in half – be sure to keep all the loose outer leaves! They get super crispy!
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, oil, salt and pepper
- Add in Brussels sprouts and pour onto a rimmed sheet pan lined with parchment paper
- Place baking sheet in oven and roast for 30-35 minutes until sprouts are crispy. Stir after 15 minutes
- With 5-10 minutes left on oven, in a small saucepan or skillet, combine honey, sugar, soy sauce, butter and ginger and bring to a boil.
- Lower heat to simmer and whisk until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Remove Brussels sprouts from the oven and place back in large bowl. Toss with sauce mixture.
- Pour into serving bowl and top with crispy fried onions and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and serve.
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Red Lobster Roasted Brussels Sprouts
FAQ
What kind of sauce does Red Lobster put on their Brussels sprouts?
Drizzled with soy-ginger sauce and topped with crispy onions.
What sauce is good on roasted brussel sprouts?
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Vinegar & Honey
It’s hard to improve on simple roasted Brussels sprouts, but a splash of balsamic vinegar and a drizzle of honey bring the flavors to life.
What do you put on top of Brussels sprouts?
First and foremost, roasted Brussels sprouts are a delicious side dish. Serve them plain, simply seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper, or dress them up! Drizzle them with a bit of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice and toss them with feta or Parmesan cheese, herbs, red pepper flakes, and nuts or pepitas.
What does Red Lobster put on their broccoli?
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Garlic and Butter:Many recipes for mimicking Red Lobster’s broccoli emphasize the use of garlic and butter as a primary flavor base.
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Brown Butter Sauce:Some recipes suggest using a brown butter sauce to enhance the flavor and texture of the broccoli.
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Additional Ingredients:Some recipes mention using red peppers and onions in the broccoli preparation.
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Seasoning:While specific seasonings are not always mentioned, the use of salt and pepper is common.
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Copycat Recipes:Many online resources provide recipes for recreating Red Lobster’s broccoli, often emphasizing the garlic, butter, and optional sauce.