Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic are so easy to make and have the best flavor! They make a wonderful side dish!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is seriously the only way that I will eat a Brussels sprout. I have tried making them many different ways and I have also tried them at restaurants claiming to have “the best”. I almost gave up and accepted the fact that I just must not like the sprouts. But I really want to like them since they are good for you. Not willing to accept defeat, I tried one last time…

Success! These Brussels sprouts are by far the best that I have ever had! They were so good that I ate way more than my fair share. Even if you think you hate Brussels sprouts, please give them another try.

So, what were my first attempts missing? The answer is BACON! What a difference it makes! In my opinion, bacon is the key ingredient to yummy Brussels sprouts. You can even get vegan bacon now so everyone can have bacon with their sprouts. If you are not a vegan or vegetarian, center-cut bacon is the best since it has less fat and more meat. The flavor that the bacon gives to the sprouts is amazing!

When it comes to cooking these baby cabbages, I believe that roasting them is the way to go. Roasting them with the bacon and balsamic creates these caramelized Brussels sprouts that have such a wonderful flavor and texture compared to other cooking methods. Plus, making them on a sheet pan is super easy, with no messy clean up!

I am so glad that I gave Brussels sprouts one last try. I hope that you enjoy them as well. 

What to Serve with Brussels Sprouts

• Baked Cod with Lemon Butter
• Creamy Mushroom Pasta
• Bella Brandy Cream Chicken 
• Baked Tilapia with Garlic Lemon Butter 
• Pan Seared Salmon
• Creamy Cauliflower Risotto
• Spicy Garlic Shrimp
• Pumpkin Fettuccine Alfredo
• Baked Cajun Chicken
• Parmesan Herb Tilapia
• Cedar Plank Salmon
• Low Carb Parmesan Chicken Tenders
• Baked Pears with Honey Walnut Goat Cheese 
• Parmesan Chicken Piccata

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Ingredients

• Fresh Brussels Sprouts – Washed, ends trimmed off and cut in half.
• Center Cut Bacon – cut into small pieces. You can also use vegan or vegetarian substitutes.
• Olive Oil or Avocado oil
• Balsamic Vinegar – not balsamic vinaigrette.
• Brown Sugar
• garlic powder
• salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

How to make Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with tin foil and lightly spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Prepare your sprouts – wash them and remove outer loose leaves, then trim off the ends and cut them in half. Put the prepared sprouts into a large bowl. Cut up your bacon and add to the sprouts.

In a small bowl combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and garlic. Stir or whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the mixture over the sprouts and bacon and toss to coat.

Pour the Brussels sprouts onto the lined baking sheet and spread in a single layer, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Place the baking sheet onto the center rack of the preheated oven. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through. Serve immediately.

Note: Keep an eye on your sprouts since they can vary in size and cooking times can vary. I cooked mine for 25 minutes. I like them to have a little char and for the bacon to be super crispy and the fat completely rendered. Cook them to your liking.

(This recipe was originally published on June 6th, 2018 and has been updated with a new recipe card.)

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