Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon – If you’re looking for a savory, crispy and delicious side dish, then this roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon is perfect. Plus, if you’re trying to convinced your loved ones just how delicious Brussels sprouts are, then this recipe will work.
When paired with a clean eating diet 90% of the time — having a LITTLE uncured or nitrate-free bacon is perfectly okay. Or, you can always swap for turkey bacon.
The Only Brussels Sprout Recipe I Have!
If the whole idea of eating Brussels sprouts makes you crinkle your nose it is most certainly because you haven’t had them properly prepared. In which case you are most definitely in for a treat.
I was first introduced to Brussels Sprouts roasted with pine nuts and served with parmesan cheese and way too much butter. As appealing as that may sound, it certainly was not a healthy choice.
Over the years, I have perfected the technique to account for flavor without the unnecessary dairy ingredients. Plus, my husband loves the crispy leaves — and I have a trick for that too.
Roasted Brussels Sprout with Bacon: The Best Way to Cook Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is one of the most savory dishes. Plus, people don’t serve them enough in general. Because of this, we almost always serve this roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon when we’re hosting company.
You can almost see the little hesitation on their faces when I tell them what we’re having for dinner. Then, they politely serve themselves a very small spoon of my Brussels sprouts with bacon.
Then, they smile – and ask for some more. By the end of dinner, they want my recipe.
How to Prepare Brussels Sprouts
I have seen many recipes for roasted Brussels sprouts cooked whole — and sometimes even in half. But the best way on how to prepare Brussels Sprouts is to first cut off a sliver from the root. Then, quarter lengthwise. This gives more surface to be cooked and increases the crispiness of the vegetable.
Choose Your Bacon Very Carefully!
Most often for clean eating, we would automatically choose turkey bacon, which is delicious. For this recipe, I opted to use this as a teachable moment when it comes to using pork bacon. Our family eats clean the majority of the time – we are gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free almost 100% of the time. So, on occasion, we’ll add a little nitrate-free or uncured bacon to our dinner.
This Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is one of those rare exceptions. To learn more about choosing healthier bacon, you can learn more here.
Be Careful to Not Over Cook!
Overcooking is the number one thing to avoid with this roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon. Keep in mind, when the color and brightness fades, the flavor often does too. Even worse, Brussels sprouts, like their cruciferous cousins–broccoli and cauliflower, give off a less-than-appetizing stinky odor if they are overcooked. And no good can possibly come from any foul smell in the kitchen!
But, if you treat them right, these little gems have the potential to become your new favorite vegetable. Really.
Kitchen Favorites
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is the only way I like to eat my sprouts. Of course, this recipe has me pining for some new ones to share!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Sides
- Method: Roast
- Cuisine: Brussels
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed, quartered lengthwise
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 turkey bacon or nitrate free bacon, chopped
- Unrefined sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- Turn the oven to 400.
- In a medium sized batter bowl, add your quartered Brussels Sprouts (This is a personal preference to make them bite-sized and add more crispness to the edges.)
- Add the extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. Stir to combine.
- On a stoneware baking sheet or parchment paper lined sheet, spread out the Brussels sprouts into a single layer.
- Sprinkle the bacon evenly on top of the Brussels sprouts and roast in the oven for about 20 minutes. Be sure to check to ensure you don’t over-cook.
- For extra crispyness, turn your broiler to LOW and place the pan under the heat for 3-5 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Keywords: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
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June says
Is the bacon uncooked?
Aimee Harris Niedosik says
Yes — you add it on uncooked and it will roast along with the Brussels Sprouts. It’s so, so delicious!
Portia says
I’m going to try this with a few slices of cooked turkey bacon added.
Emily says
Ivy – these were so good my husband asked for seconds and my 11-year-old asked for them in place of the raw veggies I gave her. These are going to be on the rotation for sure!
★★★★★
Ivy Larson says
Oh good!! So so happy to hear everybody liked them Emily =) Thank you for letting me know!
Becky says
I made this last night for the first time. I omitted the raisins, in part because I’m not really fond of them. But holy yum!!!!! This will be on my menu frequently!!! I’ve been telling EVERYONE about this dish – EVERYONE needs to try it!! MMMM!!!
Ivy Larson says
oh my gosh! I am SO SO happy you liked it as much as me Becky! Thank you so much for letting me know—and for spreading the word 😉
Bellbell says
With three Thanksgiving you will definitely be very busy.My graedn was very much frozen last week as well. I’m not sure if my broccoli made it through, I don’t want to check under the row cover.I’ve read that if you have good snow cover or enclose the brussels sprouts in burlap they will make it through the winter. I think I might try this as it would be great to harvest sprouts in early spring.