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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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