Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts Recipe for Savory Weeknights

Maple bacon brussels sprouts spark serious excitement for veggie lovers seeking serious flavor magic.

Crispy, caramelized, and utterly delectable, this side dish transforms ordinary vegetables into something extraordinary.

Savory and sweet notes dance together in perfect harmony, creating a memorable dining experience that surprises and delights.

Brussels sprouts shed their boring reputation with this mouthwatering combination that turns skeptics into enthusiastic fans.

Bacon adds a smoky depth that complements the natural earthiness of the sprouts, while maple syrup introduces a subtle sweetness.

Simple ingredients combine to produce an impressive dish that feels simultaneously gourmet and comforting.

Your dinner guests will be amazed by this restaurant-worthy side that comes together with minimal effort and maximum flavor potential.

What Makes Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts So Special

• Quick Skill Builder: This recipe teaches beginner cooks how to blanch vegetables and create complex flavor layers without requiring advanced culinary training.
• Weekend Crowd Pleaser: Bacon and maple syrup transform ordinary Brussels sprouts into a side dish that makes even vegetable skeptics ask for seconds at family gatherings.
• Flavor Adventure: The combination of crispy bacon, toasted pecans, bourbon, and sweet maple syrup creates a balanced taste profile that keeps your plate interesting from first to last bite.
• Smart Kitchen Efficiency: One skillet means minimal cleanup, and basic ingredients make this dish achievable without hunting down specialty items or spending tons of money.

Ingredient List For Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

• Brussels Sprouts (1½ lb): Fresh green veggies that make your side dish hearty and nutritious. These little cabbage-like gems will get crispy and delicious.
• Bacon (4 strips): Diced into perfect half-inch pieces to add smoky, salty crunch to your sprouts. The bacon provides amazing depth of flavor.

• Pecans (½ cup): Coarsely chopped nuts that bring a satisfying crunch and nutty richness to the dish. These will toast beautifully in the bacon fat.
• Maple Syrup (3 tablespoons): Sweet liquid that caramelizes and creates a gorgeous glaze over your sprouts. Adds a rich, deep sweetness.
• Bourbon (2 oz) or Apple Cider Vinegar (2 tablespoons): Adds a tangy, complex flavor that helps deglaze the pan and pick up those delicious browned bits.

• Kosher Salt (1 tablespoon, plus more to taste): Enhances all the other flavors and helps season your sprouts perfectly.
• Ground Mustard (1 teaspoon): Provides a subtle, warm spiciness that complements the bacon and maple.
• Ground Black Pepper (to taste): Adds a final layer of warmth and subtle heat to finish the dish.

Simple Kitchen Equipment for Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

• Large Pot (8-quart): Perfect for boiling and blanching your Brussels sprouts with plenty of space.
• 12-inch Skillet: Your go-to pan for cooking bacon and creating those golden, crispy sprouts.
• Paper Towel–Lined Plate: Essential for draining excess bacon grease and keeping your bacon crisp.
• Sharp Chef’s Knife: Needed for chopping pecans and slicing Brussels sprouts evenly.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for prepping your ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and tossing ingredients without scratching your skillet.
• Colander: Helps drain the blanched Brussels sprouts quickly and efficiently.

How to Make Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Cooking Know-How For Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

• Boil your Brussels sprouts just until they’re bright green and tender, then shock them in cold water to stop cooking and keep that gorgeous color.
• Render the bacon slowly to get maximum crispiness, and save those delicious drippings for extra flavor in your sprouts.
• Get your skillet super hot after cooking bacon, then sauté sprouts and pecans to create a beautiful golden-brown caramelization.
• Deglaze the pan with bourbon or vinegar to pick up all those tasty browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet.
• Drizzle maple syrup at the end and toss quickly to create a glossy, sweet-savory coating that makes these sprouts totally irresistible.

What Creative Spins Enhance Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

• Vegetarian Version: Swap bacon with smoked tempeh or coconut bacon, using the same amount. Crumble and cook it similarly to create a crispy, savory topping that adds depth to your Brussels sprouts.
• Nut-Free Alternative: Replace pecans with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a crunchy texture without nuts. Toast them in the same skillet with the Brussels sprouts for extra flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Ensure your mustard powder and bourbon (or vinegar) are certified gluten-free. Most ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so this variation requires minimal adjustments to the original recipe.
• Low-Carb Swap: Use a sugar-free maple syrup alternative or a small amount of monk fruit sweetener to reduce carbohydrates while maintaining the caramelized glaze on your Brussels sprouts.

How To Serve Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

• Serve Individual Portions: Scoop these sprouts into small ramekins or rustic bowls to showcase the crispy bacon and golden-brown edges of your brussels sprouts.
• Perfect Protein Pairing: Serve alongside roasted chicken or grilled pork chops to create a complete meal that highlights the rich bacon and sweet maple flavors.
• Wine Selection: Grab a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or an oaky Chardonnay that complements the smoky bacon and sweet maple notes in the dish.
• Quick Side Trick: Prepare these sprouts as a fast weeknight side that takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Simple Storage Guide For Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days, knowing the sprouts will stay crisp and tasty when reheated in a skillet over medium heat.
• Freeze cooked bacon separately from sprouts in freezer bags, keeping them flat to save space and maintain their texture when thawing.
• Store uncooked Brussels sprouts in a perforated bag in the refrigerator’s vegetable drawer for maximum freshness, preventing moisture buildup.
• Prep bacon and chop nuts ahead of time, keeping them in sealed containers in the refrigerator to speed up your cooking process and reduce day-of kitchen stress.

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts FAQs

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 30-32 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts bring crispy, caramelized vegetable magic right to your dinner table. Salty bacon and sweet maple syrup turn simple brussels sprouts into a crowd-pleasing side dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 1.5 lb brussels sprouts
• 4 strips bacon
• 0.5 cup pecans

Supporting Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• Ground black pepper

Finishing/Seasoning Ingredients:

• Additional kosher salt (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Boil a large pot of water seasoned with 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Submerge 1½ lb halved Brussels sprouts for 4-5 minutes until they turn bright green and become tender. Drain and rinse under cold water, then thoroughly pat dry with paper towels.
2. Place diced bacon strips in a 12″ skillet over medium heat. Cook for 7-8 minutes until the pieces transform into crispy golden lardons. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat in the pan.
3. Raise the skillet temperature to medium-high. Introduce blanched Brussels sprouts and ½ cup coarsely chopped pecans into the bacon fat. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables develop a golden, crispy exterior.
4. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon ground mustard across the skillet and stir for 1 minute. Pour 2 oz bourbon (or 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar) to deglaze, scraping accumulated browned bits from the pan’s surface. Allow liquid to reduce and absorb, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Reintroduce crispy bacon to the skillet. Drizzle 3 tablespoons maple syrup over the mixture, tossing thoroughly. Cook for an additional minute until everything looks glossy and well-coated.
6. Season with extra kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving dish immediately while the dish remains piping hot.

Notes

• Blanching keeps the Brussels sprouts bright green and tender while removing any bitterness from their surface.
• Bacon fat adds incredible depth of flavor, so save every bit of drippings in the skillet for maximum taste.
• Toasting pecans directly in the bacon fat creates a rich, nutty crunch that complements the caramelized sprouts perfectly.
• For a lighter version, swap bacon with turkey bacon or use less bacon and add more pecans to maintain the smoky, crispy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-22 minutes
• Category: Sautéed
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 231 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg