Crispy Roasted Bacon Brussels Sprouts: The Ultimate Easy Side Dish Recipe

I absolutely adore my green vegetables, but sometimes, coaxing the entire family to enjoy them requires a little culinary magic. That’s precisely where these irresistible Bacon Brussels Sprouts come into play! It’s a tried-and-true trick: when in doubt, just add some savory, crispy bacon to your greens, and watch them disappear from the plate almost instantly. This recipe isn’t just about making vegetables palatable; it’s about transforming humble Brussels sprouts into a truly addictive side dish that even the pickiest eaters will rave about.

Bacon Brussel Sprouts after roasting, slightly charred and ready to eat.

My dad always had a saying: bacon is so good, it would even taste delicious on cardboard! While I haven’t personally tested that theory, I can confirm that pairing these mini cabbages with their rendered fat and some perfectly crispy bacon creates a symphony of flavors. The bacon’s salty, smoky notes beautifully enhance the natural sweetness of the Brussels sprouts, especially when roasted to a tender-crisp perfection. This simple addition elevates the humble sprout from a sometimes-dreaded vegetable to a highly anticipated treat, making it a fantastic addition to any meal, from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Crafting these delectable bacon Brussels sprouts requires just a handful of fresh ingredients, each playing a crucial role in the final flavor profile. When it comes to the star of the show, Brussels sprouts, you have a couple of options. Many grocery stores now offer them pre-shaved, which is a fantastic time-saver. If you buy them whole, you can easily shave them yourself using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer. A mandoline makes quick work of the task, ensuring uniform thickness for even roasting. For the bacon, I always recommend crisping your own. This not only gives you perfectly crunchy bacon bits but also provides that invaluable rendered bacon fat, which is key to coating the sprouts and imparting an incredible depth of flavor.

Ingredients needed to make Bacon Brussel Sprouts.

Beyond the sprouts and bacon, a few simple seasonings and an onion complete the picture. I find that a yellow onion, thinly sliced, adds a wonderful layer of sweetness to the finished dish. As it roasts alongside the sprouts and bacon, the onion caramelizes beautifully, further enhancing the natural sweetness of the greens and adding a subtle depth that ties all the flavors together. A good quality olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper are all you need to bring out the best in these ingredients, creating a balanced and incredibly flavorful side dish that will quickly become a family favorite.

For precise ingredient measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions, please use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or scroll down to the bottom to find the complete recipe card.

Step-by-Step Method: Roasting Your Way to Deliciousness

Achieving perfectly crispy bacon Brussels sprouts is simpler than you might think, starting with proper preparation and even coating. Begin by spreading your shaved Brussels sprouts evenly across a large, rimmed baking sheet. Even distribution is crucial for uniform roasting and maximum crispiness. Next, scatter the thinly sliced onion over the sprouts, followed by your cooked bacon bits. It’s important that the bacon is crisped but not overly brittle at this stage, as it will continue to cook and crisp further in the oven with the sprouts.

Brussel Sprouts with onion, bacon, fat, oil, and seasoning all on the pan, before tossing together.

Shaved Brussel Sprouts on a baking sheet seasoned with the oil, bacon fat, salt, and pepper, and tossed with onion slices ready to be cooked.

Now, pour the reserved bacon fat and a tablespoon of olive oil over the mixture. Generously season everything with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Using your hands, thoroughly toss all the ingredients together on the baking sheet until every single piece of Brussels sprout and onion is well coated in the oil, bacon fat, and seasonings. This ensures that each bite will be bursting with flavor and will crisp up beautifully in the oven.

Once coated, spread the mixture back into an even layer on the baking sheet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of roasting, preventing those coveted crispy edges. Roast the mixture in a preheated oven until the Brussels sprouts reach your desired level of crispiness. I personally prefer them deeply dark brown and caramelized, almost chip-like in their texture. This intense roasting brings out their maximum sweetness and provides an incredible textural contrast with the tender interior and crunchy edges. Remember to stir them occasionally during roasting to ensure even cooking and browning. Serve immediately and watch them vanish!

Expert Tips & Tricks for Perfect Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Achieving restaurant-quality crispy bacon Brussels sprouts at home is easy with a few simple tips:

**Pre-Crisping Bacon for Maximum Flavor and Ease:** The recipe includes instructions for crisping your bacon in the oven before adding the greens. This method is not only fantastic for this dish but also a super convenient way to cook breakfast bacon with minimal mess. By lining your baking sheet with aluminum foil, you can simply toss the foil after cooking, making cleanup a breeze. Plus, cooking the bacon first allows you to render out that delicious fat, which is crucial for coating the Brussels sprouts.
**Boosting the Crispiness with the Broiler:** If you love your roasted vegetables extra crispy and with a lovely char, consider using the broiler for the last few minutes of cooking. However, exercise extreme caution: broilers can brown and burn food very quickly. Keep a watchful eye on them and do not walk away for even a second. A little char is wonderful, but burnt sprouts are not!
**A Touch of Spice for an Extra Kick:** For those who appreciate a bit of heat, a pinch or two of red pepper flakes can be added to the mixture before roasting. This subtle spice beautifully complements the savory bacon and sweet Brussels sprouts. Adjust the amount to your preference or omit it entirely if you prefer a milder flavor.
**Smart Storage and Reheating:** Leftover bacon Brussels sprouts can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat and maintain some crispiness, spread them on a baking sheet and warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and re-crisped. Microwaving is an option, but they will lose their crisp texture.
**Make-Ahead Magic:** While best served fresh, you can prep the ingredients in advance. Shave the Brussels sprouts and slice the onion, storing them separately in the refrigerator. Cook and crumble the bacon a day or two ahead. This makes assembly and roasting much quicker on a busy weeknight.

Flavorful Substitutions & Creative Variations

This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing for several substitutions and variations to suit your taste or what you have on hand:

**Bacon Alternatives:** If you’re short on time or prefer not to crisp your own bacon, high-quality, real bacon bits are a convenient substitute. I’ve found that the Costco brand offers excellent flavor and texture. If using store-bought bits, you’ll need to replace the rendered bacon fat with additional olive oil or another cooking fat like avocado oil. Alternatively, if you have saved bacon fat from previous cooking, this is the perfect opportunity to use it!
**Onion Choices:** While a sweet yellow onion is my go-to for its caramelizing properties, shallots or red onions would also be fantastic. Shallots offer a milder, more delicate onion flavor, while red onions add a bolder, slightly sharper taste that mellows beautifully upon roasting.
**Vegetable Additions:** Feel free to toss in other quick-cooking vegetables with your Brussels sprouts. Cubed butternut squash, chopped carrots, or even bell peppers can add extra color, flavor, and nutrients. Just ensure they are cut into similar sizes to cook evenly.
**Sweet or Tangy Finishes:** For a touch of acidity, a drizzle of balsamic glaze or apple cider vinegar after roasting can brighten the flavors. For extra sweetness, a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey can be tossed with the sprouts and bacon before roasting, creating a delightful sweet and savory profile.
**Cheesy Goodness:** A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese during the last 10 minutes of roasting or immediately after removing from the oven can add a delicious salty, umami kick.

Explore More of My Favorite Green Vegetable Recipes

If you loved these Bacon Brussels Sprouts and are looking for more delicious ways to enjoy your greens, check out these other fantastic recipes:

Chinese Green Beans

Alfredo Broccoli Pasta

Snap Pea Salad

Southern Green Beans

Baked Loaded Cauliflower

Green Bean Salad

Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Chicken Cracklins

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Lemon Garlic Green Beans

Did you give this amazing Bacon Brussels Sprouts recipe a try? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please let me know by leaving a review or comment below. And for more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration, be sure to sign up for my newsletter, and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

📖 Recipe

Yield: about 4 cups

Bacon Brussel Sprouts

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
1 hour

Total Time:
1 hour 10 minutes

I love my green veg, sometimes I have to add some salty bits to get the family to eat them, that’s where these Bacon Brussel Sprouts come in!

Ingredients

6 slices Thick Cut Bacon, crisped + fat reserved
2 pounds Brussels Sprouts, shaved + stems removed
1 medium Yellow Onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons Bacon Fat
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
Kosher Salt, Morton’s
Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425˚F. This high temperature is key to achieving that desirable crispiness on the Brussels sprouts.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. This step is crucial for easy cleanup and preventing sticking.

Place the bacon slices on the prepared baking sheet. Cook them in the preheated oven for about 15-18 minutes, or until they are beginning to crisp but are still slightly pliable. Remember, they will cook further with the sprouts, so don’t let them get too brittle at this stage.

Carefully remove the partially cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat directly on the baking sheet. If you have extra bacon fat saved from previous cooks, this is a great time to use it to ensure enough fat for coating.

Once cooled enough to handle, dice up the cooked bacon into small bits. These will be tossed with the sprouts later.

Prepare the Brussels sprouts by using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer to shave them very thin. Remove any tough outer leaves or stems. Thin shaving ensures quicker cooking and maximum surface area for crisping.

On the same rimmed baking sheet (you can use the one with the reserved bacon fat), combine the thinly shaved Brussels sprouts, sliced yellow onion, the remaining bacon fat, olive oil, the diced bacon, and a generous sprinkle of kosher salt and fresh black pepper.

Using your hands or a sturdy spatula, toss everything together thoroughly until the sprouts and onion are well coated with the oils and seasonings. Ensure an even layer on the baking sheet to promote uniform roasting and browning.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, stirring the mixture every 10-15 minutes. Continue roasting until the Brussels sprouts turn a rich dark brown and become delightfully crispy. The onions will also caramelize, adding to the sweetness.

The crispier the better, in my opinion, as this enhances their flavor and texture. Feel free to roast them until they reach your preferred level of crispness and char.

Serve these irresistible Bacon Brussels Sprouts immediately as a fantastic dinner side dish. Enjoy the perfect blend of savory bacon and sweet, crispy greens!

Notes

Notes & Tips

I share instructions for crisping the bacon in the oven before cooking the greens. This is also a great way to cook your breakfast bacon too. Plus if you start this way, there is no cleanup cause you can just toss the foil.

If you like your sprouts a little more crispy, turn on the broiler at the end, but keep a watchful eye on them. I like a touch of char, but they can all but super fast. Never walk away from anything that is broiling.

If you like a touch of spice, add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes. Depending on what I am serving these with I sometimes sprinkle some in.

Substitutions

If you do not want to go the route of crisping your own bacon, use store-bought bacon bits. Just be sure they are real bacon, I like the Costco ones best. Also, replace the bacon fat with more olive oil, or if you have saved bacon fat from previous cooks use that.

I like a nice sweet yellow onion for this recipe. Shallots or Red onions would also be great.

Did you make this recipe?

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Bacon and Brussel Sprouts