The Ultimate Bacon Brussels Sprouts Side Dish: A Festive Must-Have

Are you looking to banish the memory of bland, boiled Brussels sprouts from your dinner table for good? Do you want to serve a vegetable side that has everyone genuinely clamouring for more? If your past experiences with sprouts have been underwhelming, we are here to show you a truly transformative way to cook them. We’re convinced this outstanding Bacon Brussels Sprouts Side Dish will make a devoted fan out of even the most hesitant eater.

For too long, these delightful miniature cabbages have been unfairly maligned. However, when you prepare them with a little care—roasting them until beautifully caramelised and tossing them with salty, crisp bacon—they become something altogether magical. This is more than just a side dish; it’s a show-stealer. It’s the ideal partner for a Sunday roast, a standout in your selection of Christmas side dishes, and yet simple enough to whip up for a midweek treat. It’s time to set aside any preconceived notions and prepare to make a dish your family will be asking for on repeat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• An Unforgettable Taste: The marriage of earthy, caramelised sprouts and smoky, savoury bacon is a classic for a reason. A touch of sweetness from balsamic glaze or maple syrup cuts through the richness, creating a perfectly balanced and utterly delicious flavour profile.
• Simple and Straightforward: With minimal preparation and easy-to-follow steps, this recipe is accessible to cooks of every skill level. We employ basic techniques to help you produce a restaurant-worthy dish in your own home.
• A True Crowd-Pleaser: We can say with confidence that this is a dish that wins over hearts and minds. It’s a brilliant way to encourage everyone to eat more greens, and we find even the children are eager for a second helping!
• Wonderfully Versatile: While it shines as part of a festive spread, this vegetable side is adaptable enough to complement almost any main, from a succulent roast chicken to a comforting stew.
• Fantastic Textures: We will guide you on how to get your sprouts perfectly tender on the inside with irresistibly crispy, charred outer leaves. Combined with the crunch of the bacon, each mouthful is a textural delight.

Ingredients

• 900g Brussels sprouts, fresh
• 225g streaky bacon, chopped into 1cm pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional, for extra sweetness)
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 50g pecan halves, roughly chopped (optional)
• 50g dried cranberries (optional, for a festive touch)

Mastering the Method: Step-by-Step Instructions

Crafting the perfect pan of bacon brussels sprouts is all in the details. By adhering to these simple instructions, we are certain you’ll achieve that wonderful blend of crispy, tender, and flavourful every time you make it.

1. Preheat and Prepare: To begin, set your oven to 200°C (180°C Fan / Gas Mark 6). A properly hot oven is essential for achieving the crispy finish we’re aiming for. As the oven heats, get your sprouts ready. Give them a good wash, then slice off the hard base and peel away any discoloured or loose outer leaves. Cut each sprout in half lengthways. If you have any particularly large ones, you might want to quarter them to help them cook at the same rate.
2. Cook the Bacon: Take a large, oven-safe frying pan and place it over a medium heat. Add your chopped bacon and let it cook, stirring now and then, until it’s lovely and crisp. This typically takes around 8–10 minutes. Afterwards, use a slotted spoon to move the crispy bacon to a plate lined with kitchen paper, but be sure to leave the rendered fat in the pan. That fat is pure flavour and is key to making the sprouts taste amazing!
3. Sauté the Aromatics: Tip the minced garlic into the hot bacon fat and sauté for 30–60 seconds, just until it becomes fragrant. Watch it closely to prevent it from catching and burning, as this can create a bitter taste.
4. Combine the Sprouts: Now, add the prepared Brussels sprouts to the frying pan, along with the olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper. Give everything a thorough toss to make sure every sprout half is nicely coated in the delicious blend of bacon fat, oil, and garlic.
5. Roast to Perfection: Arrange the sprouts in a single, even layer in the pan. If your pan is not oven-safe, simply transfer the contents to a large baking sheet. It’s vital not to overcrowd them, as this will cause them to steam rather than roast. Place the pan or tray into your hot oven and roast for 20–25 minutes. We suggest giving them a stir about halfway through to promote even browning. You’ll know they’re done when they are tender with dark, caramelised spots and crispy leaves.
6. The Finishing Touches: Carefully remove the sprouts from the oven. Add the crispy bacon pieces back into the pan. If you’re including them, now is the time to add the optional pecans and dried cranberries. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze and maple syrup (if desired). Give everything one final, gentle toss to bring all the elements together. Serve straight away while lovely and hot.

Top Tips for the Best Bacon Brussels Sprouts Side Dish

To help you take this dish from great to truly exceptional, we’ve put together a few of our favourite professional hints and tips. These simple adjustments can have a significant impact on your final creation.

Choosing Your Ingredients

• The Sprouts: Always opt for fresh, bright green Brussels sprouts that feel firm and have tightly closed leaves. Smaller sprouts are generally sweeter and more tender than their larger counterparts. For peak freshness, try to buy them still attached to the stalk.
• The Bacon: We believe smoked streaky bacon is the ideal choice for this recipe. It has the perfect fat-to-meat ratio, allowing it to crisp up nicely while rendering enough delicious fat to roast the sprouts in.

Cooking Techniques

• Don’t Crowd the Pan: This is our single most important piece of advice! If the sprouts are too close together, they trap steam and become soft and soggy. Always use a baking tray large enough to hold them in a single layer, or use two trays if needed.
• High Heat is Your Friend: Roasting at a high temperature (200°C) is key to developing that lovely char and deep caramelisation on the outside while ensuring the inside remains perfectly tender.
• Cut Face Down: For an extra-crispy finish, arrange as many sprouts as possible with their cut-side facing down on the tray. This increased contact with the hot surface creates a deeper, more flavourful browning.

Delicious Variations to Try

One of the finest qualities of this recipe is its adaptability. Once you feel confident with the core method, it’s easy to tailor it to your personal preferences. Here are a few variations we particularly enjoy:

• Add Some Cheese: Once roasted, scatter over a good helping of grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese for a salty, tangy finish.
• Introduce Some Spice: For those who appreciate a little warmth, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of red chilli flakes along with the other seasonings before roasting.
• Go Nutty: While we’ve suggested pecans, this dish is also wonderful with toasted walnuts, flaked almonds, or even crunchy hazelnuts.
• Sweet and Tangy: A drizzle of honey makes a lovely substitute for maple syrup. To brighten the overall flavour, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the very end works wonders.

What to Serve With Your Brussels Sprouts

This marvellous Bacon Brussels Sprouts Side Dish is a versatile performer, pairing wonderfully with a whole host of main dishes. It’s an essential component of a traditional Christmas dinner, served alongside roast turkey with all the trimmings. For a classic Sunday lunch, it is the perfect accompaniment to a roast chicken or a joint of beef.

However, you don’t need to reserve it solely for special occasions! It’s a brilliant way to enhance a weekday dinner. We adore serving it with a simple but elegant main like our Lemon Garlic Chicken. The rich, savoury notes of the sprouts and bacon also offer a superb contrast to a cosy family meal, like this tasty Low Carb Chicken Casserole.

FAQ

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Side Dish Awaits

We’ve shared just how simple it is to elevate the humble Brussels sprout into a spectacular side dish, brimming with incredible flavour and texture. Featuring crispy, salty bacon and tender-crisp sprouts in a perfect harmony of sweet and savoury notes, this recipe is a genuine game-changer. It serves as delicious proof that with the right approach, even the most contentious vegetable can become a cherished family favourite.

Whether you are finalising a menu for a festive celebration or just seeking to brighten up your weeknight meals, we wholeheartedly encourage you to try this Bacon Brussels Sprouts Side Dish. It’s not just a set of instructions; it’s a culinary experience that promises to revolutionise your perception of sprouts forever.

Did you make this recipe? We would be delighted to hear how you got on! Please leave a comment below or tag us in your pictures on social media. Happy cooking!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 900g Brussels sprouts, fresh, trimmed and halved
• 225g streaky bacon, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 50g pecan halves, roughly chopped (optional)
• 50g dried cranberries (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C Fan). Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts.
2. In a large, oven-safe pan over medium heat, cook the bacon for 8-10 minutes until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
3. Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add the Brussels sprouts, olive oil, salt, and pepper to the pan. Toss well to coat.
5. Arrange the sprouts in a single layer. Roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and caramelised.
6. Remove from the oven. Stir in the cooked bacon, optional pecans, and cranberries. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and maple syrup (if using). Toss to combine and serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving):
595 calories,
38g carbs,
16g protein,
46g fat