Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Recipe (2024)

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon melds savory oven-roasted Brussels sprouts, crispy bacon, and sweet pomegranate in this delicious favorite side dish recipe!

Looking for additional delicious side dishes for holidays or special meals? Like this beautiful Brussels sprouts dish, recipes like my sweet potato casserole and roasted carrots add color and amazing flavor to special meals. Comfort food sides like mashed potatoes, squash casserole or macaroni and cheese also add a familiar and satisfying feel to family meals.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Recipe (1)

These Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pomegranate are such a delicious side dish. Crisp salty bacon and sweet pomegranate, along with balsamic and maple syrup give this recipe an elevated flavor profile that makes it a crowd favorite!

Table of Contents

  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • How to Make Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • What Main Dish Goes Well With this Recipe?
  • Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
  • More Delicious Vegetable Side Dishes
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pomegranate
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Recipe (2)

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Outstanding Flavor – Roasting the Brussels sprouts gives them a rich, nutty flavor. Then, finalizing the recipe with pomegranate and bacon provides this dish with a salty, slightly sweet, tart taste that is always a favorite.
  • Only 5 Ingredients – In addition to the seasoning of salt and pepper, you only need five ingredients to make this simple yet impressive dish packed with flavor.
  • Impressive for Entertaining – This has a colorful presentation on the table.

How to Make Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

  • Bacon – about 3 slices cooked til crispy and crumbled. Crispy and a bit salty, this makes the recipe extra savory.
  • Brussels Sprouts – use fresh ones if you can for the best results. You will slice them in half to prepare them, which is easier to do with fresh ones. If you use frozen, make sure Brussels are completely thawed and patted dry with a paper towel before preparing the recipe.
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Balsamic Vinegar – Adds a slight sweetness and works well with the juicy pomegranate.
  • Maple Syrup – Gives an extra touch of rich sweetness that complements the salty bacon.
  • Pomegranate Seeds (Arils) – Colorful and juicy with a sweet and tart taste. It tastes great paired with this vegetable. It is not only delicious with the other ingredients, it helps make this dish so attractive on the table. Please don’t skip it!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Recipe (3)

Step by Step Instructions

Preheat. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cook Bacon. To start, arrange bacon on a baking sheet and bake until cooked and crisp, about 12 minutes. Once done, remove the bacon from the baking sheet and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to allow to drain the excess grease and to cool. After it has cooled, crumble the bacon.

Roast the Brussels Sprouts. Using the same baking sheet used to cook the bacon, Place the Brussels sprouts onto the baking sheet used for the bacon and sprinkle with salt and pepper and lightly toss to coat. Roast them in the preheated 425-degree oven, stirring occasionally, until tender and caramelized, about 20 minutes.

Whisk Maple Syrup and Balsamic Vinegar. While the Brussels are roasting, whisk to combine the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar. Set aside.

Drizzle with Syrup/Vinegar Mixture. Once Brussels sprouts are done, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Drizzle them with the maple syrup mixture.

Toss with Bacon and Pomegranate. Add the crumbled bacon and pomegranate seeds to the drizzled Brussels sprouts and toss all ingredients together lightly to combine.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Recipe (4)

Serve. After all ingredients are tossed together, then transfer to a serving dish. Serve while warm and enjoy.

The fantastic flavors combined with the colorful presentation make this a holiday and special dinner favorite!

What Main Dish Goes Well With this Recipe?

Many main dishes are delicious with this impressive side dish. I especially love it beef or poultry – such as Prime Rib or Roast Turkey for special holidays or entertaining and Balsamic Beef, Baked Chicken Breast or steak for simple meals with friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

Prepare as instructed without adding the pomegranate seeds. Place the cooled Brussels Sprouts recipe in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Reheat in the oven until reheated throughout. Remove from the oven, top with pomegranate seeds, and serve.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Recipe (5)

This side dish is really easy to make and to make ahead, which makes it an excellent option for holidays and entertaining. It is always a hit with my guests every time I serve it and I think you will love it too! I can’t wait to hear how you like it!

More Delicious Vegetable Side Dishes

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Slow Cooker Green Beans

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Butter Roasted Radishes

Fried Okra

Here’s my Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pomegranate Recipe. I think you’ll love it!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Recipe (6)

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pomegranate

Robyn Stone

5 from 4 votes

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pomegranate melds savory oven roasted Brussels sprouts, crispy bacon and sweet pomegranate in this delicious favorite side dish recipe!Perfect for holidays and entertaining!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 3 slices bacon
  • 1-1/2 pounds brussels sprouts, halved
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons pomegranate seeds

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425ºF.

  • Arrange bacon on the baking sheet and bake until cooked throughout, about 12 minutes. Remove the bacon from the baking sheet and set aside to cool. Once cooled, crumble.

  • Place the Brussels sprouts onto the baking sheet used for the bacon and sprinkle with salt and pepper and lightly toss to coat. Roast the brussels sprouts, stirring occasionally, until tender and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar and set aside.

  • Remove the Brussels sprouts from oven, drizzle with maple syrup mixture, add crumbled bacon and pomegranate seeds and toss to coat. Serve warm.

Notes

NOTES:

Make Ahead Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe

  • Prepare as instructed without adding the pomegranate seeds. Allow cooked Brussels Sprouts dish to cool and add to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
  • Reheat in the oven until reheated throughout.
  • Remove from the oven and top with pomegranate seeds and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 471mg | Potassium: 194mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Vitamin C: 32.9mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Recipe (7)

Categorized as:All Recipes, By Special Diets, Christmas Recipes, Cooking, Egg-Free Recipes, Gluten-Free Recipes, Grain-Free Recipes, Recipes, Side Dish Recipes, Thanksgiving Recipes, Vegetable Recipes

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About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to roast brussel sprouts whole or cut in half? ›

To maximize the flat areas, which get the most crispy surface area, cut your Brussels sprouts in half. If your Brussels sprouts are very small, you can leave them whole (and if they are very large, quarter them).

Should you rinse brussel sprouts before roasting? ›

To prepare brussel sprouts, you should rinse them well or even soak them if you have enough time. Trim the bottoms and outer leaves off, then cut them in half to prep them for roasting.

How do you keep roasted brussel sprouts from getting soggy? ›

BE GENEROUS WITH YOUR OLIVE OIL! These brussels sprouts will absorb the oil in order to get crispy, so don't be afraid to add a little extra olive oil on them as needed. If you liked this Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe, check out some of the most popular side dish recipes on the blog!

Do you cut the ends off brussel sprouts before roasting? ›

Slice off and discard the bottom end of each Brussels sprout, as well as any wilted or discolored leaves. Slice vertically to halve the Brussels sprouts. Then place the halves cut-side-down, and thinly slice horizontally to shred by hand.

How do you keep Brussels sprouts from drying out in the oven? ›

Like soggy steamed Brussels, Brussels sprouts that are dry and chewy are no good either. This could be caused by using too little oil for roasting. You need a nice coating of oil—enough to make the heads shiny or if they're cut, enough oil to get inside the folds of some of the leaves.

Why do you soak Brussels sprouts before cooking? ›

The soak time tenderizes the sprouts so the middles are softer. Don't worry, they won't be soggy! I would never do that to you. If, like me, you don't mind some chew to your sprouts, you don't need to soak the Brussels sprouts prior to cooking.

How many pounds of Brussels sprouts for 6 people? ›

Buy 1½ pounds of untrimmed brussels sprouts to feed four to six people (depending on what else is on the menu).

Can you roast Brussels sprouts ahead of time and reheat? ›

Reheat the Same Way They Were Cooked

The only difference is that we'll lower the oven temperature for reheating. A high oven temperature is ideal for roasting, but since the sprouts are already cooked, we just want to heat them through and bring back their crispy char, without burning them.

What are black spots on Brussels sprouts? ›

Fungal and bacterial infections cause black spots on Brussels sprouts. Prevent with spacing, air circulation, and tool sterilization.

How many Brussels sprouts per person? ›

Sprouts on the stalk will stay fresher longer than sprouts that have been picked off and sold loose. Plan on about 1/2 pound (8 ounces) of raw brussels sprouts per person.

Why are my roasted brussels sprouts tough? ›

Like all cabbages, Brussels are unavoidably fibrous and dense. You must overcome this by either cooking them in salty water until fork tender (blanching), or by roasting at a high (over 425F) temperature for upwards of 20 minutes. To guarantee great texture, do both!

Why are my roasted brussel sprouts bitter? ›

The flavor components that contribute to a bitter flavor are concentrated in the center of the brussels sprout. If you slice the the veggie in half, it helps to release some of those compounds during the cooking process. Smaller is better when it comes to tenderness and flavor.

How do you cut Brussels for roasting? ›

Halved: Halved Brussel sprouts are the classic cut for sheet-pan roasting or sautéing. Sliced: Crisp these guys up in the air fryer. They are also great for sautéing and roasting – especially if you start with the larger sprouts and want to cut them into bite-sized pieces.

Should I cut Brussels in half? ›

Should you cut brussel sprouts in half before roasting? if you cut them in half or quarters the edges will get crispy and they will turn out great, but they will also burn quicker so keep an eye on them!

Why do you cut brussel sprouts in half? ›

By doing so, you reduce the size of the sprouts, speeding up cooking. You also create a flat surface in the process (one flat surface for halved sprouts; two for quarters), which improves contact with the hot pan or baking sheet, allowing you to brown them more effectively.

Should you half or quarter brussel sprouts? ›

If the sprouts are small, leave them whole before cooking. If they seem to be rather large or have a thick core, halve or quarter them into uniform pieces. If some are small and some are larger, leave the small ones just trimmed, and then cut the larger ones in half. Some leaves will fall off.

How do you roast brussel sprouts so they are not bitter? ›

To cut down on some of that bitterness, take a few extra steps. When you clean and prep your Brussels sprouts for cooking, be sure to remove the outer leaves. Additionally, rather than going straight to the roasting pan, consider quickly blanching the sprouts first, which can also help reduce bitter flavors.

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