Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

Brussels sprouts roasted with bacon and pecans make a perfect holiday side.

By
Jennifer Segal
Jennifer Segal is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Jennifer Segal

Jennifer Segal is the chef and photographer behind Once Upon a Chef and the author of two cookbooks: Once Upon a Chef and Once Upon A Chef: Weeknight/Weekend.

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Updated September 28, 2023
Brussels sprouts in a ceramic serving dish with tongs, a napkin, and glass cups on the periphery

Serious Eats / Mateja Zvirotic Andrijanic

Why It Works

  • Roasting is an easy, hands-free method for crisping the bacon and rendering its flavorful fat.
  • Roasting at high heat helps caramelize (and tenderize) the Brussels sprouts.
  • A splash of maple and balsamic give the dish a salty-sweet edge.

These Brussels sprouts are roasted until golden and caramelized, then doused in a maple-balsamic vinaigrette and topped with crisp bacon and toasted pecans. They're so delicious, it's hard not to eat the entire lot standing at the stove before you serve them.

November 2012

Recipe Details

Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon Recipe

Prep 5 mins
Cook 40 mins
Active 30 mins
Total 45 mins
Serves 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup pecans

  • 6 slices bacon

  • 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, halved (stems and ragged outer leaves removed)

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon (4g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use about half as much by volume or the same weight

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Directions

  1. Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil.

    A sheet pan being lined with aluminum foil.

    Serious Eats / Mateja Zvirotic Andrijanic

  2. Place pecans on prepared baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn fast. Transfer nuts to cutting board and chop coarsely. Set aside.

    Pecans roughly chopped on a wooden cutting board.

    Serious Eats / Mateja Zvirotic Andrijanic

  3. Increase oven temperature to 400°F. Lay the bacon strips out flat on the same foil-lined baking sheet, leaving space in between so they don't overlap. Roast for until bacon is crisp, 12 to 20 minutes, rotating half way (cooking time will depend on thickness of bacon). Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels; pour rendered bacon fat into a small dish and discard aluminum foil. When bacon is cool, finely chop.

    Bacon which has been cooked on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

    Serious Eats / Mateja Zvirotic Andrijanic

  4. Increase oven temperature to 425°F. Line baking sheet with fresh aluminum foil. Toss Brussels sprouts with rendered bacon fat, olive oil, salt, and pepper, directly on baking sheet. Roast, stirring midway through to promote even browning, until Brussels sprouts are tender and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar and maple syrup and toss to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning then transfer to serving dish. Right before serving, top with chopped pecans and bacon. Serve hot or room temperature.

    Finished brussels sprouts in a ceramic bowl.

    Serious Eats / Mateja Zvirotic Andrijanic

Special Equipment

Half sheet pan

Read More

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
243Calories
18gFat
16gCarbs
9gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories243
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g23%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Cholesterol 11mg4%
Sodium 486mg21%
Total Carbohydrate 16g6%
Dietary Fiber 5g17%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 94mg469%
Calcium 68mg5%
Iron 2mg13%
Potassium 589mg13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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