Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts: a weeknight method

A dish of bacon roasted brussels sprouts with parsley.

These bacon roasted Brussels sprouts are crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and full of smoky flavor. An straightforward side dish that will convert even the most staunch brussels sprouts haters!

I’m always looking for straightforward side dishes that the whole family will enjoy. Some of our favorites include sauteed kale, grilled broccoli and these golden brown Brussels sprouts flavored with bacon.

Brussels sprouts can get a bad rap sometimes. People think back to when they were kids and their parents would feed them soggy bland mushy Brussels sprouts. When you roast Brussels sprouts in a super hot oven, they almost get caramelized and are super tasty. These bacon roasted Brussels sprouts are on our dinner table all the time in the winter months, and they couldn’t be any easier to make!

These Brussels sprouts would be reliable with a main dish like shrimp creole, roasted Cornish hen or ground beef stroganoff. Pick your go-to protein and serve these sprouts on the side! For more brussels sprouts recipes, check out my brussels sprouts salad, sauteed brussels sprouts and and grilled brussels sprouts.

Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts Ingredients

To make bacon roasted Brussels sprouts you will need Brussels sprouts, olive oil, bacon, parsley, salt and black pepper.

Brussels Sprouts: Look for brussels sprouts that are about the same size so they take about the same amount if time to cook. I look for smaller brussels sprouts because they usually are more tender.
Bacon: Get a high quality bacon because it will flavor the whole dish. I use kitchen shears to cut my bacon into small squares that are all around the same size. I recommend cutting off portions of the bacon that just contain pure fat.
Olive Oil: Extra-virgin olive oil helps the brussels sprouts crisp up and gives the sprouts extra flavor.

A sheet pan of oven roasted brussels sprouts and bacon.

How Do You Make Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts?

To make these bacon roasted Brussels sprouts, first place the sprouts in a single layer on a sheet pan. Then drizzle them with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Add chopped raw bacon around the Brussels sprouts on the baking sheet. Bake until the sprouts get tender and caramelized and the bacon crisps up. Sprinkle everything with fresh, chopped parsley, then serve and enjoy.

Raw halved brussels sprouts with uncooked bacon on a sheet pan.

Tips For The Reliable Brussels Sprouts

You’ll want to cut your bacon into fairly small pieces.
It is finest to use a regular cut of bacon as thick cut bacon will take longer to cook.
I find that this dish is finest when served immediately so that the bacon is crunchy. However, leftovers will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat any leftovers in a pan on the stove top to crisp up the bacon.
Sliced green onions may be substituted for parsley.
You can serve this recipe as a side dish, or make it a lighter main course by tossing the sprouts and bacon with cooked pasta and a little olive oil and parmesan cheese.
Feel free to line your baking sheet with aluminum foil for straightforward cleanup.

Quick Tip

Choose sprouts that are similar in size and shape so that they cook at the same rate.

A serving dish full of roasted brussels sprouts with bacon and parsley.

Recipe FAQs

How do I prepare Brussels sprouts for roasting?

Make sure to wash your Brussels sprouts thoroughly before use. You’ll want to cut a thin slice off the stem end of each sprout, then remove any outer leaves that look brown or damaged. Before you cook the sprouts cut them in half lengthwise.

Should I cover Brussel sprouts when roasting?

You do not need to cover Brussels sprouts when you roast them. In fact, I prefer roasting them uncovered to make them more crunchy on the outside.

Do you need to blanch Brussels sprouts before roasting?

No, you do not need to blanche Brussels sprouts. Simply make sure to rinse them well, trim the stems and cut them in half vertically. Then they are ready to be seasoned and roasted.

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Flavor Variations

This crunchy brussels sprouts dish is great as-is, but you can absolutely add other ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.

Cheese: Add a sprinkle of grated cheese, such as parmesan, white cheddar or mozzarella during the last 5 minutes of the baking time.
Herbs: Swap out the parsley for chives, basil, thyme or green onions.
Veggies: Feel free to add more vegetables along with the sprouts, some good options are red onion wedges, halved mushrooms, green beans or broccoli.
Flavorings: Stir in some added flavor to the finished dish with toasted pine nuts, kalamata olives, sun dried tomatoes or drizzle on some balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze. People also enjoy these sprouts with a little maple syrup and chopped pecans!
Garlic: Garlic lovers can add minced garlic to the brussels sprouts.

These bacon roasted Brussels sprouts are the reliable side dish for a holiday dinner, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, or for an everyday meal. They pair well with spatchcock chicken, sirloin steak or grilled pork chops. I often serve my sprouts alongside a roasted chicken with Hasselback potatoes. You just can’t go wrong with this one!

More Veggie Side Dishes

Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

30 mins

Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots

3 hrs 5 mins

Bacon Green Bean Bundles

25 mins

Honey Roasted Carrots

35 mins

These pomegranate pecan brussels sprouts are a healthy and colorful side dish with just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time.

Pomegranate Brussels Sprouts

30 mins

Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts Video

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Add as Google preferred source Authorthe Makdob kitchen A dish of bacon roasted brussels sprouts with parsley.

These bacon roasted Brussels sprouts are crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and full of smoky flavor. An straightforward side dish that will convert even the most staunch Brussels sprouts haters! Time Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Serves 6

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs Brussels sprouts trimmed and halved
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
6 slices bacon chopped
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Coat a sheet pan with cooking spray.
Place the Brussels sprouts in a single layer on the sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
Scatter the bacon pieces around the pan.
Bake for 20 minutes or until bacon is crunchy and sprouts are browned. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Notes

Prepare your brussels sprouts by washing them. Then cut a thin slice off the bottom of the stems with a sharp knife. Remove any damaged or brown leaves. Finally, slice them in half lengthwise.
You’ll want to cut your bacon into fairly small pieces.
It is finest to use a regular cut of bacon as thick cut bacon will take longer to cook.
Choose sprouts that are similar in size and shape so that they cook at the same rate.