Tessa’s Recipe Rundown
Taste: Sweet and salty in the best way possible! Even Brussels sprouts haters will enjoy this dish.
Texture: The Brussels sprouts are soft with slightly crunchy edges, while the bacon is perfectly crispy.
Ease: Crazy simple and easy.
Pros: Simple side dish perfect for Thanksgiving.
Cons: None!
Would I make this again? Absolutely.
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Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts is the easiest, most delicious side dish your family needs this Thanksgiving.
This recipe is perfect for anyone convinced they hate Brussels sprouts.
Gone are the days of boiling Brussels sprouts until they’re mushy balls of stinky nastiness. If you grew up eating sprouts that way, I wouldn’t blame you if you still hate them to this day!
That’s why we’re roasting them, and adding bacon and a little maple syrup. Because Brussels sprouts with bacon will convince anyone to at least try the vegetable!
There are a couple of keys to making Brussels sprouts delicious. Roasting them is key, as I discuss more in-depth below. Also, to enhance the sprouts’ natural sweetness, we’re adding maple and bacon.
These two ingredients complement each other so perfectly. Especially if you’re a fan of the salty-sweet combination. The best part? As the tray cooks, the fat from the bacon renders and that’s what the Brussels sprouts roast in. So much flavor!
I hope you enjoy these Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts!
How to Make Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Why Roast Brussels Sprouts?
Roasting Brussels sprout brings out their natural sugars and caramelizes them, so there’s more sweetness with a bit of crispness from the browned edges. Tip: Make sure the majority of the sprouts are on the pan cut side down so they caramelize nicely.
How to Prepare Brussels Sprouts
- Select fresh Brussels sprouts that are green, with no visibly yellow leaves, and as evenly sized as possible.
- If your sprouts are still attached to the stalk, remove each sprout from the stalk.
- Wash and dry the sprouts.
- First, slice off the base where the rounds were attached to the stalk.
- Slice each sprout in half lengthways.
Can I Double This Recipe?
Sure! Feel free to double or triple all ingredients. You may need to bake for a few minutes longer if your pan is overcrowded.
How to Make Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts Ahead
You can prep this dish completely up until roasting. Cover your roasting tray and place in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. It’s best served warm soon after cooking, otherwise, the Brussels sprouts tend to get limp and wrinkly the longer they sit.
How to Store and Reheat Brussels Sprouts
Store leftover Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts sprouts in an airtight container stored in the fridge for 3 days. Just note that they will soften up over time. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through before serving.
More Thanksgiving Side Dishes:
- Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
- Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Ultimate Dinner Rolls
- Soft Pretzel Thanksgiving Stuffing
- Easy Cornbread Recipe
- Crowd-Pleasing Sweet Potato Casserole
- Southwest Cornbread Chorizo Stuffing
See my Thanksgiving Headquarters here for all my recipes!
Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 20 ounces (567 grams) Brussels sprouts, roots trimmed and cut in half
- 5 slices bacon, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a medium mixing bowl, toss all ingredients until combined. Spread out onto a large, rimmed baking sheet.
- Roast until the bacon is crispy and the sprouts are caramelized, about 30 to 40 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
This post was published in 2018 and has been updated with additional recipe tips. Photos by Ashley McLaughlin.
Delicious! I only had pre-cooked and diced bacon on hand. Maybe that’s why serving with a little butter adds to the flavor. Maybe I should have added it in the oven. I also wanted to use some Palisade Peach Brandy Barrel Aged Maple Syrup from #burtonsmaplewoodfarm. I may finish this all myself in a single sitting!
Amazing! Your brussel sprouts looked incredible on IG!
So easy and amazing! Anytime I walked by the tray before Thanksgiving dinner I grabbed one of them to snack on as we finished cooking!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe!
great side dish or even main dish on one of “those” nights, thank you for this recipe!