Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Thanksgiving Prep is upon us and it is time to plan the menu. This delicious side dish is full of caramelized flavor punctuated by tasty bits of bacon and crispy goodness. Pair this dish with your turkey dinner for a fun alternative to carrots or squash. Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon will be the perfect addition to your holiday dinner.

Pan Roasted Brussel Sprouts

First of all it is Brussels Sprouts or Brussel Sprouts?  I mean I have spent the first 56 years of my life never knowing some people used an “s” at the end of Brussel.  Go figure, I guess we can always learn.  But FYI my side dish is less an “s” because it seems to awkward. Brussel Sprouts for the win. 

Brussel Sprouts are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, making them a nutritious addition to your diet. Plus these tasty little mini cabbages pair perfectly with bacon. Searching for a way to spice up the holidays, this seemed the perfect addition.  Plus a great colourful dish.

My recipe is quick to repair and a tad longer to cook.  Prep time is 10 minutes or less and then 25 minutes on the stove.

What you need for the perfect Dish :

Time to gather our few ingredients.  Honestly it cannot get much simpler.  

• 4 thick-cut bacon slices
• 1½ lbs. fresh Brussels Sprouts, trimmed and cut in half
• 2 T. extra virgin olive oil.
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.

Roasted Brussel Sprouts are simple to prepare

Time to get cooking.  Get ready this simple and quick side dish is tasty.  

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Cook bacon in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, turning once to ensure it is cooked evenly on both sides. Cover pan with a splatter guard while cooking, if desired.
3. Remove skillet from heat and place cooked bacon on a wire rack set over paper towels to drain. Once cool, blot bacon with paper towels to remove excess fat before crumbling.
4. After skillet has cooled slightly, carefully drain the excess bacon fat into an empty can or other heat-safe container. 
5. In a large bowl, combine Brussels sprouts and olive oil and toss to coat. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. I like mine chopped in half but they can be kept whole. 
6. Heat skillet over medium-high heat and add Brussels sprouts and cook for several minutes until they begin to turn brown. Add the crumbled bacon to the skillet and place in the pre-heated oven. Roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the sprouts turn a rich, caramelized color.
7. Remove skillet from oven and serve immediately.

How else can Brussel Sprouts be cooked? 

Steaming is a good way to cook Brussels sprouts, especially if you don’t want to use oil or butter. It makes them tender but not overcooked, and they do not end up waterlogged or soggy. 

Boiling is also possible but make sure you limit the boil to 15-20 minutes.  

For me it doesn’t matter the how, because they are tasty every way they are prepared. 

What is your favourite method to cook or prepare the Brussel Sprouts? 

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

This delicious side dish is full of caramelized flavor punctuated by tasty bits of bacon and crispy goodness. Pair this dish with pork chops or roasted chicken for a wonderful, low-carb meal.

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, canadian

Keyword: brussel sprouts

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours 25 minutes

Author: Linda

Ingredients

• 4 thick-cut bacon slices
• 1½ lbs. fresh Brussels sprouts trimmed and cut in half
• 2 T. extra virgin olive oil.
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Cook bacon in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, turning once to ensure it is cooked evenly on both sides. Cover pan with a splatter guard while cooking, if desired.
• Remove skillet from heat and place cooked bacon on a wire rack set over paper towels to drain. Once cool, blot bacon with paper towels to remove excess fat before crumbling.
• After skillet has cooled slightly, carefully drain the excess bacon fat into an empty can or other heat-safe container. If any fat drips down the side of the skillet, be sure to wipe it off with a damp dish cloth before putting it back on the burner.
• In a large bowl, combine Brussels sprouts and olive oil and toss to coat. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
• Heat skillet over medium-high heat and add Brussels sprouts and cook for several minutes until they begin to turn brown. Add the crumbled bacon to the skillet and place in the pre-heated oven. Roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the sprouts turn a rich, caramelized color.
• Remove skillet from oven and serve immediately.

Have you tried this recipe? I would love to see the resultsMention @alabouroflife or tag #alabouroffood!