This easy and delicious Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts recipe will elevate your dinner table! The combination of savory bacon, sweet maple syrup, and tender Brussels sprouts creates a dish that's sure to impress. Whether you're preparing a cozy family meal or hosting a dinner party, these Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts are guaranteed to be a hit.
Brussels sprouts have come a long way from being the vegetable kids (and adults) love to hate. Personally, I have never been a huge fan of Brussels sprouts, but I changed my mind after pairing it with two beloved ingredients: crispy bacon and maple syrup. The combination of sweet and savory flavors creates a dish that's both comforting and sophisticated. I now make these crispy Brussels sprouts every year as one of our side dishes for Thanksgiving.
These roasted Brussels sprouts pair well with my Smoked Whole Chicken or Traeger Grilled Salmon. You can also pair them with other side dishes like my Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Cast Iron Mac And Cheese, and Traeger Scalloped Potatoes.
If you are looking for more veggie recipes check out my Smoked Asparagus, Asparagus Bundles, or Raw Carrot Salad.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Quick and easy: This delicious side dish is ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: You can use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon, or swap onions for shallots. You can also adjust the level of sweetness to your liking.
- Balanced flavors: The combination of salty bacon and drizzle of maple syrup, is a match made in heaven.
- Nutrient-dense: This recipe is made with simple ingredients, and the Brussels sprouts are packed with vitamins and fiber.
Ingredients
- Brussels Sprouts: You will want to buy fresh Brussels sprouts, organic if possible. This recipe only has a handful of ingredients, which makes using good-quality ingredients very important!
- Shallots: I love using shallots in this recipe, as they roast nicely, and they are a bit milder than onions and not quite as sharp as garlic.
- Maple Syrup: The maple syrup adds just a touch of sweetness to this dish. Look for a pure maple syrup that is organic and the only ingredient on the label should be organic maple syrup. That's it!
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Avocado Oil: If you are concerned about roasting your veggies in Olive Oil, feel free to use Avocado Oil as it has a higher cooking temperature.
- Sea Salt: It's worth investing in a good quality Sea Salt. Maldon's or Real Salt are both solid options. You can also use kosher salt if that's what you have on hand.
- Bacon: I love the thick-cut bacon from Moink Box as it is super smoky, which works so well with the flavors of this dish. Moink is owned and operated by farmers, and they offer ethical meat boxes delivered to your doorstep. If shopping for bacon at your grocery store, look for organic bacon with no nitrates or added sugar.
Please see the recipe card for quantities.
Step-by-step instructions
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees f.
Prepare the Brussels sprouts: Wash and dry your Brussels sprouts. Cut off the bottom ends and peel off the outer leaves, then add them to a food processor and pulse a few times until you have a mix of shredded and small pieces.
Create the mixture: Add shredded Brussels sprouts and sliced shallots to a large bowl. Cut the bacon slices into bite-sized pieces and add to the bowl along with the olive oil, maple syrup, and salt. Toss to combine.
Roast: Spread the Brussels sprouts mixture in a single layer on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Roast for 15-20 minutes or until the brussels are slightly brown and the bacon pieces are crispy.
Substitutions and variations
- Bacon swap: Use turkey bacon instead of pork bacon for a lighter option.
- Sweetener: If you are not a fan of maple flavors, substitute the maple syrup for honey or agave syrup.
- Bring the heat: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.
- Cheesy: Sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese or grated Parmesan before serving.
Serving suggestions
- Side dish: Serve hot as a side dish alongside roasted chicken, salmon, or grilled steak.
- Extra flavor: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice for extra brightness.
- Vegetarian: Enjoy as a vegetarian main dish with quinoa, sweet potatoes, or wild rice.
- Holiday: Add to a holiday buffet or serve as an easy side dish with your Thanksgiving turkey.
- Salad: Use as a topping for a hearty fall salad.
Storage and reheating
- Storage: Place cooled leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat in a preheated 350 degree f oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat it in the air fryer for 10 minutes.
Top tip
I'm a big fan of using high-quality, organic ingredients. This is especially important when recipes only call for a handful of ingredients. You want to use the best quality you can. Not only do organic, minimally processed ingredients taste better, but they are better for you.
FAQ
While it's best served fresh, you can par-roast the Brussels sprouts and cook the bacon ahead of time. Finish the dish with the maple syrup glaze just before serving.
Look for bright green, firm sprouts with tightly packed leaves. Smaller sprouts tend to be sweeter and more tender.
Absolutely! Adjust the amount of maple syrup to suit your taste preferences.
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Roasted Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts With Shallots
Ingredients
- 1 lb Brussels Sprouts
- 2 Shallots sliced
- 2 tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt
- 3-4 strips Bacon sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Wash and dry your Brussels sprouts. Cut off the bottom ends and peel off the outer leaves, then add them to a food processor and pulse a few times until you have a mix of shredded and small pieces.
- Add shredded Brussels sprouts and sliced shallots to a large bowl. Cut the bacon slices into bite-sized pieces and add to the bowl along with the olive oil, maple syrup, and salt. Toss to combine.
- Spread the Brussels sprouts mixture in a single layer on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Roast for 15-20 minutes or until the brussels are slightly brown and the bacon pieces are crispy.
Notes
- Use turkey bacon instead of pork bacon for a lighter option.
- Sweetener: If you are not a fan of maple flavors, substitute the maple syrup for honey or agave syrup.
- Bring the heat: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.
- Cheesy: Sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese or grated Parmesan before serving.
- Serve hot as a side dish alongside roasted chicken, salmon, or grilled steak.
- Extra Flavor: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice for extra brightness.
- Enjoy as a vegetarian main dish with quinoa, sweet potatoes, or wild rice.
- Add to a holiday buffet or serve as an easy side dish with your Thanksgiving turkey.
- Use as a topping for a hearty fall salad.
Nutrition
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