Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts are a delicious side dish fit for any occasion! The Brussel sprouts are seasoned and covered with olive oil and maple syrup, then roasted and tossed with your choice of rendered bacon or pancetta.
Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts will convert any Brussel sprout skeptic! They are flavored with the warm flavors of rich olive oil and maple syrup, then mixed with the delicious rendered fat from bacon. The Brussel sprout layers are catch the olive oil, maple syrup, and seasoning, making each bite flavor-packed.
This gluten free roasted Brussel sprouts recipe can be made with either a high-quality bacon for a smoky flavor, or pancetta for a more mild flavor. Either way, the dish elevates Brussel sprouts and complements any holiday, Thanksgiving, or weeknight dinner. Serve it with some delicious holiday dinner dishes, like Rolled Turkey Roulade, Fig Balsamic Glazed Chicken, Miso Mashed Potatoes, or Cranberry Sauce with Orange.
For a vegetarian version of this dish, check out Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Carrots.
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Ingredients
- Brussel sprouts - Brussel sprouts are a cruciferous vegetable that have fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, and antioxidants. They look like small cabbages and have a sweet, nutty flavor.
- Olive oil - olive oil is the natural oil and a healthy fat that helps the vegetables roast.
- Shallot - Adds a light and sweet heat to the dish.
- Maple syrup - maple syrup is the sweet sap of maple trees. There are two main types of maple syrup, including grade A, which is a strong, dark, and flavorful variety; grade B is second best and a great option for cooking!
- Pancetta/Bacon - little flavor crystals that add protein.
- Freshly cracked black pepper - freshly cracked black pepper has a peppery, slightly spicy flavor.
- Kosher salt or sea salt - kosher salt and sea salt are coarse edible salts that add a savory element to the vegetables and enhance the sweetness of the maple syrup.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven - Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Toss the ingredients - While the oven heats, place the halved Brussel sprouts, sliced shallots, olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and cracked pepper into a large mixing bowl. Toss the ingredients with your hands until the Brussel sprouts are evenly coated in olive oil and maple syrup.
- Bake the Brussel sprouts - Place the Brussel sprouts on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Roast in the oven for 40 minutes, until the Brussel sprouts are lightly browned.
- Cook the pancetta or bacon - While the Brussel sprouts are in the oven, cook bacon or pancetta in a large skillet. Place the pancetta or bacon the skillet then turn up the heat to medium. This will allow the fat to render. Cook until the pancetta or bacon is rendered and golden brown.
- Mix meat and Brussel sprouts - Remove the baking sheet from the oven and add the Brussel sprouts to the crispy bacon or pancetta, folding in the meat and oil. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl and serve.
Hint: line the sheet pan with aluminum foil for even easier cleanup.
Substitutions
- Honey - use honey in lieu of maple syrup to add sweetness to the vegetables.
- Herbs - use different fresh or dried herbs, like rosemary and oregano, for a different herb flavor.
- Parsnips - use parsnips with carrots for different flavors.
- Shaved Brussel sprouts - use a combination of halved and shaved Brussel sprouts for even crispier results. Shaved Brussels are sliced thinly and cook quickly, resulting in a crispy texture.
- Garlic - Replace shallots with garlic for a sharper taste and kick.
Variations
- Garlic powder - add a teaspoon of garlic powder to for garlicky flavor.
- Onion - add chopped yellow or sweet onions for an aromatic addition.
- Potatoes - add 1-inch cubed Yukon or baby potatoes for a heartier dish.
- Balsamic Vinegar - add a drizzle of reduced balsamic vinegar, or balsamic glaze, for a sweet and tangy flavor.
Equipment
This Brussel sprouts recipe calls for a few common kitchen essentials, including a knife, cutting board, large mixing bowl, sheet pan, skillet or non-stick pan, and optional serving bowl. Use these popular kitchen essentials in other recipes too.
Storage
Store leftover Maple Bacon Brussels in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat leftovers in the oven, heat oven to 350 degrees F and place the Brussel sprouts on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 6-8 minutes or until hot.
Top Tips
- For crisp Brussel sprouts, do not over-crowd the baking sheet. The space between the sprouts will allow air to flow and will minimize steaming, resulting in crisp Brussel sprouts.
- For evenly cooked Brussel sprouts, trim the ends and slice the Brussel sprouts in half so they are relatively the same size and cook evenly.
- For rendered bacon or pancetta, start with a cold or room temperature pan, place the pancetta or bacon in the pan, then turn on the heat. This method will allow the fat to render and will minimize oil splatter upon placing the meat in the pan.
What to Serve with Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts
If you want to make these maple roasted Brussel sprouts for Thanksgiving or just a family meal, check out these other Thanksgiving recipes: Turkey Au Jus Gravy, Rolled Turkey Roulade, Cranberry Sauce with Orange, and Herb and Mushroom Dressing.
If you want a California Thanksgiving meal check out these recipes: Dutch Oven Whole Roasted Chicken, Miso Mashed Potatoes with Miso Butter, Harvest Quinoa Salad with Arugula, Maple Roasted Kabocha, Sautéed Green Beans with Furikake, and Sautéed Mushrooms with White Wine.
Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Brussel sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 1 Shallot sliced
- ¼ cup Olive oil extra virgin
- 4 tablespoon Maple syrup (grade A or B)
- 4 oz Pancetta cubetti or cubed bacon
- Kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven - Heat the oven to 425°F.
- Toss the ingredients - While the oven heats, place the halved Brussel sprouts, sliced shallots, olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and cracked pepper into a large mixing bowl. Toss the ingredients with your hands until the Brussel sprouts are evenly coated in olive oil and maple syrup.
- Arrange on a baking sheet - Place the Brussel sprouts on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Roast in the oven for 25 minutes, or until the Brussel sprouts are lightly browned.
- Cook the bacon or pancetta - While the Brussel sprouts are in the oven, cook pancetta or bacon in a large skillet. Place the pancetta or bacon the skillet then turn up the heat to medium. This will allow the fat to render. Cook until the pancetta or bacon is rendered and golden brown.
- Mix the Brussel Sprouts and bacon - Remove the baking sheet from the oven and add the Brussel sprouts to the skillet with the pancetta or bacon, folding in the meat and oil. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl and serve.
Notes
Storage
Store leftover Brussel sprouts with bacon in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat leftovers in the oven, heat oven to 350 degrees F and place the Brussel sprouts on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 6-8 minutes or until hot.Top Tips
- For crisp Brussel sprouts, do not over-crowd the baking sheet. The space between the sprouts will allow air to flow and will minimize steaming, resulting in crisp Brussel sprouts.
- For evenly cooked Brussel sprouts, trim the ends and slice the Brussel sprouts in half so they are relatively the same size and cook evenly.
- For rendered bacon or pancetta, start with a cold or room temperature pan, place the pancetta or bacon in the pan, then turn on the heat. This method will allow the fat to render and will minimize oil splatter upon placing the meat in the pan.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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