Brussels sprouts have become a favorite vegetable. That wasn’t always the case, but now that I’ve found a method of cooking them that produces great results, I cook them often. If you’re not a sprouts lover, give these bacon roasted Brussels sprouts a try and see it you don’t change your mind.
Both bacon meat and drippings are used to prepare the dish which is finished in the oven after all the ingredients are combined. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar provides just enough “tang” to cut through any fattiness from the bacon drippings.
Roasting Brussels sprouts helps reduce the typical sulfur-y cabbage odor I associate with the horrid mushy sprouts forced on me as a child. These guys are nutritional powerhouses; full of Vitamin C, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. The sulfur, which odor we object to, plays an important role in the body’s detoxification process. (Source)
You can purchase Brussels sprouts attached to the stalks or trimmed in a tray pack. You’ll want to trim the bit that was attached to the stalk and remove any yellow or discolored leaves from the individual buds. Cut them into halves or quarters depending on the size of the sprout. When roasting, they’ll take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes depending on the size. I don’t have any experience with the frozen Brussels sprouts, but I think I would steam them instead of roasting them. If you try roasting them, let me know how it works. (Update for 2018: I’ve had good results with frozen Brussels sprouts, especially when pan roasting.)
Ingredients
- 1 quart brussels sprouts, cleaned and cut into halves or quarters depending on the size. (about a pound)
- 3-4 pieces of bacon cut into small pieces, fried with drippings reserved
- one medium onion diced
- olive oil to supplement or replace the bacon grease
- pinch of red pepper flakes or more to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
- balsamic vinegar to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C
- Try to have everything ready before you start cooking the bacon. The small pieces cook quickly.
- Cook the bacon until it's starting to crisp over medium-high heat.
- Turn the heat to low and remove the cooked bits of bacon to a paper towel to drain.
- You'll need 3 to 4 tablespoons of drippings, add some olive oil to the pan if it looks like you'll need some.
- Add the red pepper flakes to the pan and raise the heat to medium high.
- Saute the onions in the bacon drippings until they begin to soften.
- Return the bacon to the pan, add the Brussels sprouts and stir well to coat with the drippings.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer everything to a baking dish and place in the oven.
- Roast them in the oven until they start to turn crispy brown, giving them a good shake every now and then.
- The sprouts are done when they're fork tender. It can take anywhere from 20-40 minutes for the brussels sprouts to cook through, depending on their size and how dense they are. They should be tender with some crunchy bits.
- Remove from the oven, adjust the salt and pepper as you like and drizzle with a little balsamic vinegar.
This post was originally published in April 2014. As you can tell from the posts below, I’ve definitely overcome my aversion to Brussels sprouts!
You may also like:
Ottolenghi’s Brussels Sprouts and Tofu
Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Oranges
I’m making this for dinner tonight I’ll let you know how it turns out. But I looks good anyways.
I hope you like it!
I have not tried brussels sprouts because I do not know how to cook it. This looks easy, yummy and healthy. Knowing there’s bacon mmm my kids will love it.
I definitely like roasting them, but I’ve seen other recipes where they are shredded like cabbage and braised. That may be worth a try, too. Good luck!
These look DELICIOUS! I love brussels sprouts and this recipe looks like it would taste super rich!
I do not like Brussels sprouts, and I can tell you I tried them again as an adult, and there’s just a texture and taste consistency I don’t like about them. But putting that aside, your picture of this dish, looks so good I would love to take a bite.
I’m glad you were able to get over your aversion to sprouts to appreciate the photo 🙂 Thanks for your kind compliment and taking the time to comment!
I’ve never tried brussels sprouts but everyone says how awesome they are. Add bacon to them? Yeah… that will help me want to try them! Thanks for the recipe!
I hope you like them 🙂
This looks interesting and good! I’m not so sure if I could get my family to eat them though.
I know what you mean. I make small portions of this sort of thing for ME, although I’ll let them have a taste if they want to try 🙂
Looks delicious! I like Brussels sprouts sometimes, and I think with bacon they would be even better!
I’ve never been a fan of brussels but you’ve made them look so delicious I’m starting to think I was totally wrong about brussels. I’ll give your recipe a try, see if I can get friends with them 🙂
They grow on you 🙂 Hope you like them!
These Look Delicious Can’t Wait To Make!
What a unique combination! I would have never thought of brussel sprouts with bacon, but I bet it serves well.
We do like the flavor. Thanks for coming by 🙂
This is my favorite way to eat brussel sprouts. I bought some frozen sprouts for next week (they were on sale.) I’m hoping they turn out like fresh ones. Thanks so much for sharing it with us at the Let’s Get Real Friday Link Party. I hope you’ll bring more of your recipes to the party this week.
Brussel Sprouts with Bacon is one of my favorite winter side items. Unfortunately, hubby doesn’t share my enthusiasm so I make it whenever he is away. Sort of makes brussel sprouts feel like a special treat, lol!
I’ll bet that’s the first time anyone has ever said that 🙂
I bet the bacon makes the whole dish — doesn’t it always. I’ll be trying this soon! I’m featuring you tomorrow at Gingerly Made!
Either the bacon or the drippings (the horror!). Thank you for featuring my recipe! See you tomorrow 🙂
This recipe sounds wonderful. Think I can even get my husband to eat brussel sprouts prepared this way. I’ll be saving this to try next time I see fresh sprouts in the market. Thanks!
Thanks for dropping by, Nancy. Good luck with convincing your husband to try ’em. My son politely ate one, hahaha.
Had to let you know I made this recipe a few days ago, and my husband loved it!
Best brussel sprout recipe ever. Will be tweeting, do you mind if I share this recipe on my blog?
I’m so glad you all liked it! Please, do share 🙂
Just posted on my blog-here’s the link http://glutenfreetravels.blogspot.com/2014/04/bacon-roasted-brussels-sprouts.html
I’ll drop by to check them out. 🙂
I love brussels sprouts with bacon and this is a great recipe! Pinned! Thanks for sharing on Pin Fest Friday! 🙂
Cathy
Bacon and brussel sprouts! Yum! Two of my favorite things.
Stopping by from Real Food Friday. 🙂
They are so good together 🙂 Thanks for dropping by, Sharon!
I didn’t grab those brussel sprouts at the market because i didn’t know what to do with them, PINNED. They will be in my shopping cart next week.
Awesome! Hope you like them 🙂