Description
Roasted brussels sprouts with bacon balsamic brings crispy, caramelized goodness straight to your dinner table. Salty bacon and tangy balsamic glaze create a simple side dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 1 ½ to 2 pounds fresh brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
Proteins:
- 8 ounces thick-cut bacon, chopped
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ⅓ to ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425°F with a rack positioned in the center for even roasting.
- Slice 1 ½ to 2 pounds of Brussels sprouts in half, removing any tough outer leaves and stem ends.
- Spread Brussels sprouts on a large rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
- Arrange Brussels sprouts cut-side down in a single layer to ensure maximum caramelization. Roast for 25-30 minutes until edges are crispy and dark brown.
- While Brussels sprouts roast, chop 8 ounces of thick-cut bacon into small pieces.
- Sauté bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden, about 7-9 minutes. Drain all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat.
- Pour ⅓ to ½ cup balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes until reduced by half and slightly thickened.
- Remove Brussels sprouts from oven and toss with crispy bacon pieces.
- Drizzle reduced balsamic vinegar over the sprouts, gently stirring to coat evenly.
- Transfer to a serving dish and serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- Make sure to cut Brussels sprouts into similar-sized halves so they roast evenly and develop a beautiful caramelized exterior.
- Use thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispness, and drain excess fat to prevent the dish from becoming greasy.
- Let the balsamic reduction cool slightly before drizzling to help it thicken and create a more concentrated, rich glaze.
- For a vegetarian version, swap bacon with smoked almonds or roasted pine nuts to maintain a similar depth of flavor and crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Roasted
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg