Description
A crispy, sweet, and salty side dish featuring roasted Brussels sprouts glazed with maple syrup, bacon, and pecans. This easy 30-minute recipe converts even the biggest skeptics.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved lengthwise
- 6–8 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 3 tablespoons real maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ½ cup pecans, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Trim the ends of the Brussels sprouts and cut them in half lengthwise. Toss them in a large bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy and fat has rendered (5-7 minutes). Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the pan.
- Spread the seasoned Brussels sprouts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes until tender and starting to brown.
- While sprouts roast, whisk maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon of the reserved bacon fat in a small bowl until smooth.
- Remove sprouts from oven. Drizzle with glaze and toss to coat. Sprinkle crispy bacon over the top. Return to oven and roast for another 10 minutes until glaze is caramelized.
- Toast pecans in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Let cool slightly and chop roughly.
- Sprinkle toasted pecans and fresh thyme over the hot sprouts. Serve immediately.
Notes
Ensure sprouts are in a single layer to prevent steaming and achieve crispiness. Use real maple syrup for best flavor. If the glaze is too sticky, add a teaspoon of water. Avoid overcrowding the pan. Do not freeze leftovers as texture suffers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 12
Keywords: Brussels sprouts, maple bacon, side dish, fall recipes, roasted vegetables, Thanksgiving side, gluten-free, dairy-free