If you are looking for a nutritious and delicious vegetable side dish, these maple bacon brussel sprouts are the perfect choice for you. The savory, umami flavor of bacon pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the maple syrup.
I used to be a brussel sprout hater back in the day. Until I learned how to cook them correctly! The key is to have them roasted and paired with something sweet. They become soft on the inside and brown and crispy on the outside in the oven. For sweetness, honey or maple syrup works great.
Personally, I love pairing this side dish with some mashed or roasted potatoes and a nice slice of meat, whether that be steak, pork chops or chicken breast. It’s a great side dish for occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas as well.
Ingredients for Maple Bacon Roasted Brussel Sprouts
The ingredients for these maple bacon roasted brussel sprouts are super simple and minimal, making this an easy weeknight side dish!
- Brussel sprouts: make sure to wash your brussel sprouts, pat them dry and slice in half before adding the remaining ingredients.
- Bacon: personally, I love turkey bacon because it’s a bit lower in saturated fat compared to regular bacon, but either works for this recipe.
- Maple syrup: you can also use honey, but I prefer the mapley taste of maple syrup; it reminds me of fall!
- Olive oil: or any other liquid oil like canola oil or vegetable oil.
- Salt and pepper: to taste depending on your preferences.
As for substitutions, you can use turkey bacon, regular bacon or beef bacon for this recipe. Maple syrup can be replaced with honey as well, both add a pleasant sweetness. Olive oil can be substituted with any other kind of cooking oil like canola oil or vegetable oil.
For seasonings, you can add more than just salt and pepper, but personally I find too many seasonings overwhelming. The flavor from this dish should come primarily from the maple syrup and bacon and sometimes too many other flavors can muddy this.
How to make Maple Bacon Roasted Brussel Sprouts
First, fry the bacon (I like using turkey bacon because it produces less grease) in a skillet and let cool on a cutting board. Once cool, chop into small pieces (think bacon bits). Set aside.
Then you’ll want to wash your brussel sprouts and pat dry with paper towels. Then, transfer to a cutting board and slice each individual brussel sprout in half. You can even cut them into fourths if you prefer more crispiness. Then, transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
To the bowl, add the olive oil, maple syrup, bacon bits and seasonings. Toss the ingredients together until the brussel sprouts are evenly coated. Then, transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Flip halfway.
Is this recipe healthy?
Yes! This recipe is a healthy, nutrient dense side dish option. One serving of these maple bacon roasted brussel sprouts contains about 170 calories, 6 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber.
They are an excellent source of vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin K and manganese. They are also a good source of B vitamins, folate, vitamin E, copper, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.
One thing about this recipe is that it is fairly high in fat. But, most of the fats in these brussel sprouts come from healthy fats which include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. This dish is lower in saturated fat and cholesterol.
How to store the leftovers
If you have leftovers, I recommend storing them in an airtight container and keeping them in your refrigerator. They should last about 3-4 days. To reheat, I recommend throwing them in the oven or the air fryer to ensure they stay nice and crispy. But, if you are in a rush (or just feeling lazy) you can always throw them in the microwave. They will still be super delicious, I promise!
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Maple Bacon Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients
- 1 lb brussel sprouts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 slices bacon or turkey bacon
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a skillet, cook the bacon. Set aside to cook. Once cool, chop into small pieces.
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Chop brussel sprouts in half (or quarters) and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Add olive oil, maple syrup, bacon and seasonings. Toss to combine.
- Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.
