Bacon Balsamic Maple Brussels Sprouts

Everyone is sure to love these maple balsamic brussels sprouts with…bacon! A rich balsamic glaze offers the perfect balance to the salty flavors of bacon and savory brussels sprouts making for a flavorful side dish that are worthy of a holiday dinner but simple enough to whip up as part of a weeknight meal.

WHAT’S NEW?

We’ve reached the last and final week of summer. I took off Monday and Thursday this week to enjoy the girls and what’s left of summer before school. Yesterday, we went to Chicago and the Shedd Aquarium before visiting my brother’s family and parents and returning to Michigan late last night. Today has largely been lazy and spent with the girls playing together and me being productive (last 2 exams of the semester this week), but we’ll plan for a fun beach and pool day on Thursday when the weather warms back up. 

We haven’t spent near as much time at the pool this year, but when we have, it often includes staying for dinner and for me, enjoying the brussels sprouts on the menu. One of our nicest local restaurants has PHENOMENAL brussels sprouts on their menu, but the pool’s rival them. I get them…every time. We all love them and this recipe is my victorious attempt at recreating them at home. Enjoy!

ROLL CALL FOR THIS RECIPE

• Special Occasion: Look no further for a go-to side dish for anything from a date night in, fancy dinner parties, or Thanksgiving dinner. These brussels sprouts offer so much flavor and a unqiue richness that are swoon-worthy!
• Picky Eaters: You’ll be hard-pressed to find a picky eater who won’t enjoy a vegetable dish dish that offers a sweet and savory combination involving maple syrup and smoky bacon.
• Simple Ingredients: This recipe calls for just a few key ingredients – quality of ingredients matters!

KEY INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

• Bacon: Thick-cut, uncured bacon is my go-to however you’re welcome to use turkey bacon or omit the bacon altogether.
• Brussels Sprouts: Using fresh produce is key to a crispy texture. You can use frozen and thawed brussels sprouts in a pinch, ensuring as much excess moisture is removed.
• Maple Syrup: A pure maple syrup is highly recommended, however agave or honey can be used as alternatives.
• Balsamic Vinegar: A high-quality balsamic vinegar is important! Buy something thick and syrupy or consider simmering a lower quality vinegar for a few minutes to reduce before using.

VARIATIONS, STORAGE, and TIPS

• The best way to perfect maple bacon brussel sprouts is letting them sit cut side down in the bacon fat without moving them, allowing that extra crispiness to happen.
• Don’t worry about any outer leaves of the brussels sprouts that fall off — keeping them as a part of the dish adds great flavor and texture.
• If you choose to double this recipe, ensure you use a large enough skillet to avoid over-crowding and space enough to keep the brussels sprouts in a single layer, or consider working in batches to ensure crispy brussels sprouts
• For serving at a holiday table, use a simple serving dish that showcases the beautiful dish.
• For a different spin on this recipe, you can try adding sliced red onion in with the bacon and removing it while the brussels cook. You can also try adding dried cranberries or chopped pecans at the end when adding back in the bacon.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

FAQ 

That doesn’t seem like a lot of syrup or balsamic vinegar. If I love the flavors, can I add more?

You can, however the brussels sprouts will lose some of their desirable texture and the balsamic mixture and flavors stretch a long way! Using less of good quality ingredients has defintitely yielded the best results.

​This recipe doesn’t call for salt? Should I add some with the black pepper?

I recommend trying without salt first. The bacon slices tend to yield bacon grease that is ample in salt. You can always add salt after trying them!

I don’t eat bacon but everything else sounds delicious! How can I adapt this recipe?

Start with 2 tablespoons of olive oil or avocado oil in lieu of the bacon grease and continue the recipe from there.

NUTRITIONAL MERITS

• Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free
• Brussels sprouts are rich in fiber and various vitamins and minerals: vitamin C, K, folate, calcium, iron, and potassium.

Want to complete your holiday meal? I’ve got lots of ideas for you!

• Simple Honey Dijon Viniagrette
• Easy Triple Berry Pie
• Vegan Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Candied Pecan Topping
• Artichoke Crab Spinach Dip
• Olive Oil and Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
• Pumpkin Pie Bars
• Cranberry Gin Mule Cocktail

Be well,