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A close-up shot of a skillet filled with savory Ground Beef and Brussels Sprouts served over a bed of white rice.

Skillet Ground Beef and Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

This hearty one-pan meal features perfectly seasoned ground beef mixed with tender-crisp Brussels sprouts coated in a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze, making for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Brussels Sprouts
  • 1.5 lbs Brussels sprouts trimmed and halved (or quartered if very large)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Ground Beef
  • 1 lbs lean ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Balsamic Glaze
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
For Garnish (Optional)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large Skillet (cast iron or heavy-bottomed)
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Small Bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

Prepare Brussels Sprouts
  1. In a large bowl, toss the trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the Brussels sprouts in a single layer, cut-side down if possible. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until nicely browned and slightly charred. Toss and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove sprouts from the skillet and set aside.
Cook Ground Beef and Aromatics
  1. In the same skillet, add the ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and cook over medium-high heat until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
  2. Add the diced onion to the skillet with the ground beef and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Combine and Glaze
  1. While the beef is cooking, whisk together balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl to prepare the glaze.
  2. Return the cooked Brussels sprouts to the skillet with the ground beef mixture. Pour the balsamic glaze over everything. Stir well to coat all ingredients. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the glaze to thicken slightly and coat the beef and sprouts.
  3. Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For crispier Brussels sprouts, you can roast them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes instead of searing in the skillet. Just toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper first. This dish makes great leftovers and can be reheated gently in a skillet or microwave.