Roasted Bacon and Brussel Sprouts Recipe

About a decade ago, my cousin brought a Roasted Bacon and Brussel Sprouts recipe to one of our holiday dinners and everyone went crazy for it. It’s been a staple at our family’s holiday dinners ever since, but it’s also a delicious side dish that we often make for Sunday dinners too.

 

About 5 years ago my cousin confessed to me that her Roasted Bacon and Brussel Sprouts recipe contained bacon bits. I scrunched up my nose to that idea – always believing fresher ingredients are better.

 

Fast forward to today and I’ve made Roasted Bacon and Brussel Sprouts a lot of different ways. However, this one sheet Bacon and Brussel Sprouts recipe is my favorite way to make the dish. It makes it easy enough to throw together whether you’re cooking for just your family or making this dish for a holiday dinner.

 

Beginnings with Brussel Sprouts

I’ve loved Brussel sprouts since I was a kid. My parent used to think I was weird because I ate a ton of vegetables that other kids wouldn’t. I called Brussel sprouts little lettuces and would always love when we had them for dinner. We used to eat them steamed and I don’t think I had ever tried them roasted until my cousin showed up with her dish of them mixed with salty bacon.

 

I was amazed at the flavor. Bacon and Brussel sprouts just compliment each other so well. And roasting them as opposed to sautéing them in a pan brings out even more of that lovely caramelization that gives all vegetables their peak flavor.

 

Making Bacon and Brussel Sprouts recipe without making a lot of dishes

As I said, I’ve cooked this several ways in the past but this one sheet Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Bacon recipe is my favorite way. All you need is one baking sheet, 3-4 cups of Brussel sprouts cut in half, a package of bacon, olive oil and salt and pepper.

 

First, the bacon is cooked on the baking sheet. This is honestly the only way I cook bacon anymore. If you’ve seen bacon in any of my other recipes, it’s been made the same way I make it in this recipe. I love to utilize this method for breakfast too because I don’t have to sit over the stove cooking 3 or 4 pieces of bacon at a time. I can bake almost all of it at once.

 

Once the bacon is removed I lightly wipe off the baking sheet and then add the Brussel sprouts. I say lightly because you want to keep all that bacon fat in there for roasting the Brussel sprots too. I add olive oil, salt and pepper for added flavor, but this Roasted Bacon and Brussel Sprouts recipe is really as simple as that.

Tips for making Roasted Bacon and Brussel Sprouts recipe

• When cooking the bacon, you want to alternate the direction it is laying on the baking sheet. This will allow more piece of bacon to fit on the sheet. It can be very close together. Just make sure that none of it is overlapping.
• The same rule applies to the Brussel sprouts when cooking. Make sure none of them are overlapping to ensure the air can flow among the vegetables.
• Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for this recipe. It’s a basic rule for me whenever I’m cooking. Good olive oil adds better flavor.
• I use sea salt when I make this Roasted Bacon and Brussel Sprouts recipe because I prefer the texture and the flavor better. You can use table salt but keep in mind you might have to add a little extra if you go in that direction. It’s not as potent as sea salt. The same applied to fresh cracked pepper
• Don’t over wipe the baking sheet with the bacon grease. I promise, you want all the in there. It really makes a difference when making this dish.

 

Thank you so much for visiting today, friends! I hope that you love this one sheet Roasted Bacon and Brussel Sprouts recipe. You can find the full printable version below.

 

If you’re looking for additional side dishes, click {HERE}. And if you need a holiday appetizer, check out this Caramelized Onion & Rosemary Ricotta Dip {HERE} or these Bacon & Goat Cheese Mini Popovers {HERE}. I hope you come back and visit us here at the farm. Happy eating!