Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

This easy side dish of Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts might just convert any Brussels sprouts hater! Cooked in a skillet with bacon, some brown sugar, and maple syrup, this little leafy vegetable will make people smile instead of cringe. Serve this easy recipe with any dinner, and add it to the menu for your holiday table.

You know, up until March of this 2016, I had never tasted a Brussels sprout.

No lie.

I was nervous to, too! I don’t know why I think it’s probably because they look like they’re healthy and aren’t going to taste that great. Face it, they’re vegetable balls. Who wants to eat a ball made of a vegetable? Not me.

I was on a blogger retreat with some friends and we made a side dish with roasted Brussels sprouts, similar to this, and I absolutely loved it.

I was so excited about them, that I made them for my family when I returned home, and they enjoyed them, too!

I really think you’ll enjoy this simple recipe. The combination of bacon and drizzle of maple syrup really does elevate the Brussel sprouts and could just make a convert of your picky eater.

Want another Brussels sprouts option? Make these Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts. It’s another easy recipe with just a few ingredients that will make your taste buds dance.

What ingredients do I need to make Brussels sprouts with bacon?

• Bacon
• Light brown sugar
• Pure maple syrup
• Fresh brussels sprouts
• Cut the bottom to remove the stem, if needed and remove the outer leaves. Cut the whole Brussels sprouts into halves or quarters depending on their size.
• Kosher salt
• I use Kosher salt in all of my cooking. I prefer it to table salt for the taste and the crystal shape. You can use table salt if you’d rather.
• Black pepper to taste

How do I cook this Brussels sprouts side dish?

This Brussels sprouts recipe is so easy and takes less than a half an hour to make.

1. Begin by removing the outer leaves of the Brussels sprouts, and cutting the stem or hardened bottom, if needed. Slice into halves or quarters according to the size of your sprouts. The more surface area that is exposed to the pan and other ingredients, the tastier they’ll be!
2. Cut the bacon slices into small pieces, and heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon, reserving the bacon grease, and place on a plate lined with paper towels.
3. Add the brown sugar and maple syrup to the pan and mix.
4. Put the Brussels sprouts into the pan along with the salt and pepper, and toss gently to combine.
5. Cooking time on medium-high heat is about 8-10 minutes until soft, stirring once or twice. In the final two minutes, add the crispy bacon and stir to combine.

Main Dishes to serve with crispy Brussels sprouts and bacon

We eat A LOT of chicken here at the 365 Days of Baking home, and this Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken is one of my favorite ways to make it. It’s easy, doesn’t take a lot of work, and we absolutely love roast chicken because it’s so moist and flavorful.

This Chicken Divan has been a family favorite for years! Yes, it’s got broccoli in it, so you’ll get a double dose of green vegetables when you pair it with this recipe, but doggone is it good! It’s like, the perfect casserole to take to a friend’s house, too, if you’re going to be cooking or giving them dinner.

Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe is another main dish. Mom made Tuna Casserole all. the. time. when I was a kid. Consequently, I’ve grown up despising it and prefer making one with chicken instead.

Don’t want chicken?

Make these easy Rosemary Pork Medallions, this Dijon Herb Roasted Pork with Cranberry Pear Chutney, or Parmesan Pork Chops with Pesto.

Side Dish Recipes

Looking for more easy and delicious recipes to serve along with your main entree? I’ve got those, too!

You can’t go wrong with a salad. They’re easy and packed with flavor.

This Strawberry Spinach Salad {with Poppy Seed Dressing} is most definitely one of our favorites, and one I’m asked to bring to get togethers and potlucks quite often. I’ll often slice some grilled or cooked chicken breasts in it to make it a meal.

Carrots. These Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are a recipe no kitchen should be without, especially when it comes to the holidays. I really don’t think it even is a holiday if carrots aren’t on the table, do you?

Potatoes are a great side dish! This Brussels sprouts recipe would pair so well with these super easy and phenomenally delicious smashed potatoes with CHEESE! You’re already using the maple syrup to make this recipe, so why not make these maple roasted sweet potatoes to go with it, too?

These Cheesy Mashed Potatoes and Vanilla Mashed Potatoes (yes, you read that correctly!) are both so creamy and yummy, that I often have trouble deciding between the two, I love them so much!

Even the pickiest eaters will be happy when they see a serving dish of these crispy maple bacon Brussels sprouts with sweet maple syrup, and bacon pieces. It’s a perfect Thanksgiving side dish that will make an appearance every year.

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