Want to impress your guests with a restaurant-quality side dish (that's also very pretty and super easy to make)? These roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and balsamic vinegar is definitely the one...and it will disappear quickly. 😉
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It's the holiday season that brings us so many wonderful festivities, traditions, and of course, Brussels sprouts. I have a particular fondness for this vibrant yet perhaps just slightly funny looking vegetable that lines the produce section this time of year. But how to cook them?! Even if you didn't like them as a kid, trust me when I say this this recipe in particular is one of THE BEST Brussels sprouts recipes—and particularly if you're a bacon fan. (Spoiler alert: it's the balsamic vinegar that puts it over the top.)
Did you know?
Brussels sprouts are a prebiotic vegetable, meaning that they contain specialized types of fiber that help feed beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome. Prebiotic vegetable fibers also provide food for the beneficial bacteria found in fermented foods such as miso and kimchi, so consuming both types of foods can be a win-win for gut health.
You can also just roast Brussels sprouts with olive oil like these easy oven roasted Brussels sprouts if you don't have and bacon on hand. Or, try these scrumptious Parmesan crusted Brussels sprouts; they're both equally delicious. And as for sides that pair well with Brussels sprouts, you can't go wrong with these homemade mashed potatoes, miso mashed sweet potatoes, roasted fingerling potatoes or cranberry sauce.
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- Delicious & easy Brussels sprouts recipe
- Only 5 minutes of prep time needed
- Perfect side dish for bacon lovers
- Festive and pretty holiday recipe
- Pairs well with traditional sides and mains
🌿 Ingredients
Look for the freshest, greenest Brussels sprouts you can find, and any variety of bacon works for this recipe. Feel free to use balsamic glaze instead of straight balsamic vinegar if you prefer; they're both great.
See recipe card below for exact quantities.
📝 Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. I like to line a large baking pan or baking sheet with parchment paper so that clean up is simple (but you don't need to if you don't have any.)
Then, wash and then trim the Brussels sprouts by chopping off the tough ends and removing any discolored leaves. Chop them in half and also chop the bacon into small bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Place all of the ingredients except the balsamic vinegar in a large mixing bowl and toss everything gently but thoroughly to coat.
Step 3: Pour the Brussels sprouts and bacon out slowly onto the baking pan to form a single layer. Try to turn all of the Brussels sprouts over so that their cut side is facing down for better roasting.
Step 4: Roast in the oven for 25 minutes or everything is nicely golden brown.
Season with additional salt and pepper to taste if you'd like, and then drizzle with balsamic vinegar or glaze just before you serve.
📋 Substitutions
Feel free to make any of the following substitutions as necessary! As written, this recipe is gluten free and dairy free.
- Bacon - use a plant-based bacon to make vegetarian or vegan
- Olive oil - substitute melted butter, avocado oil or canola oil
- Balsamic vinegar - use balsamic glaze instead, or just leave out if you don't have either
📖 Variations
This easy Brussels sprouts recipe lends itself to some really awesome variations. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Brussels sprouts with bacon and maple - drizzle on the same amount of maple syrup as balsamic vinegar (and leave out the vinegar) for a sweet touch
- Brussels sprouts with bacon and honey - substitute honey for balsamic vinegar for another sweet variation
- Brussels sprouts with bacon and garlic - add a clove or two of freshly minced garlic before you roast everything, or a sprinkle of garlic powder
🔪 Equipment
I used the following equipment to make this bacon & Brussels sprouts recipe:
- baking sheet
- parchment paper (optional, for easy cleanup)
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- large mixing bowl
- silicone spatula
🍱 Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. They do not stand up well to freezing.
🎉 Top tip
Don't be afraid to experiment with this recipe, especially around the holidays. It's delicious and perfectly festive as is but you could easily sneak in some dried cranberries, apples, pine nuts or pecans to truly take things to the next level. 🙂
Enjoy!
💭 FAQ
Balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and honey all go well with bacon and Brussels sprouts when drizzled over the finished dish. You can roast other veggies and/or nuts with the Brussels and bacon such as onion, garlic, dried cranberries and pecans.
Potato side dishes such as homemade mashed potatoes or roasted fingerling potatoes pair particularly well with Brussels sprouts and bacon. You could also pair with mashed or roasted cauliflower for different twist on the classic potato sides.
It is recommended to use fresh Brussels sprouts when used for roasting since frozen Brussels sprouts won't achieve the same crispiness as fresh.
Once roasted, Brussels sprouts do not freeze well since they are tend to get mushy once reheated. It's best to store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days and then rewarm in the oven.
🍳 Recipe
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts, and chop the bacon into small bite-sized pieces. Place all of the ingredients except the balsamic vinegar in a large mixing bowl and toss gently to coat.
- Roast: Slowly pour the Brussels sprouts and bacon out onto the baking sheet to form a single layer, with the Brussels sprouts turned cut-side down for better roasting. Roast for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Enjoy: Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, drizzle with balsamic vinegar or glaze and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Mention @onehappydish or tag #onehappydish!🌡️ Food safety
- Use separate kitchen tools and utensils for prepping raw meat
- Wash hands in warm soapy water after handling raw meat
- Never leave food unattended on a hot stove
- Refrigerate leftover meat within 2 hours
See more guidelines at foodsafety.gov.
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