Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts

Name: Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds brussel sprouts, halved; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper; 6 slices thick cut bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces; 2 teaspoons garlic, minced; 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest; 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup

Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts are a great side dish and use just a few simple ingredients to add so much flavor to your dinner table. The end result is perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors that will have you and your guests going back for seconds again and again.

Maple bacon brussels sprouts in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

The Best Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts Recipe

You truly can’t go wrong with this combination of brussel sprouts with bacon and maple syrup. No one will guess that this easy side dish took under 20 minutes to whip up thanks to its bold flavors and beautiful presentation. If you’re feeling inspired, try out our roasted brussels sprouts with pancetta recipe! Either one would be amazing at Thanksgiving dinner or as a weeknight dinner side dish.

What You Will Need

fresh brussels sprouts – Remove the dirty outer leaves, slice of the stem and then halve.
olive oil – Toss the brussel sprouts in this before roasting to keep them moist.
kosher salt & ground black pepper – To bring out the natural flavors in this amazing side dish.
thick-cut bacon – Because we want you to be able to taste the bacon in every bite!
fresh garlic – A perfect aromatic ingredient to compliments the sweet and savory flavors.
lemon zest – Helps to brighten all the flavors.
pure maple syrup – Pick up your favorite store bought brand.

How To Make Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts

Prep your brussel sprouts by removing the ends and the outer layer of leaves. Then halve each sprout and place them all in a large bowl to be drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper.

A bowl of trimmed and halved brusssel sprouts being drizzled with olive oil.

Next, cut your bacon into small pieces while your large skillet is coming to medium-high heat. Then add the bacon chunks and move them around the pan until they are fully cooked and the fat has rendered. Remove the bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon onto a paper plate lined with paper towels.

Bite sized pieces of bacon cooking in a cast iron skillet.

Save about 2-3 tablespoons of rendered bacon fat from the pan and then toss the rest. Now add the brussel sprouts to the pan and move them around to let them soak up that bacon fat and crisp up a bit. This should take around 8 minutes.

Prepped brussel sprouts in the cast iron skillet.

Then add in the garlic and lemon zest and toss to combine. Cook everything for another 1-2 minutes.

cooked brussel sprouts plus lemon zest and minced garlic in the cast iron skillet.

Finally add in the crispy bacon and then add a drizzle of maple syrup. Toss everything together to ensure those awesome flavors get combined. Then taste and adjust the sweetness or seasonings as needed.

Bacon added into the cast iron skillet with a tablespoon of maple syrup.

What To Serve With Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts

For best results, serve this healthy side dish immediately and enjoy! We love this along side a main dish of cedar plank salmon, oven baked tilapia, or our cast iron flank steak. And if you’re looking for some tasty starch options, look no further than our easy oven baked potato, easy herbed potatoes, or our ultimate mashed sweet potatoes.

Maple bacon brussel sprouts in a cast iron skillet with a spoon.

Recipe FAQs

What Are The Best Brussel Sprouts To Use In This Dish

Avoid large brussel sprouts, as we’ve found these to be less tender than the little guys.

Why Lemon Zest

Don’t worry, this won’t taste lemony. The zest just adds a subtle bit of citrus to help round out the flavors.

How To Store Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Maple bacon brussel sprouts in a cast iron skillet with the title "maple bacon brussel sprouts a delicious side dish recipe!"

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