Description
This Maple Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe offers a deliciously sweet and savory side dish, combining tender roasted Brussels sprouts with crispy bacon and a touch of maple syrup for enhanced flavor. Perfectly seasoned and oven-roasted to tender perfection, it’s an easy and flavorful way to enjoy a healthy vegetable.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 lb. Brussels sprouts, halved (~6 cups)
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, sliced
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme (optional)
Meat
- 5 slices bacon, chopped
Other Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for roasting the Brussels sprouts and bacon.
- Prepare Brussels Sprouts: Cut the Brussels sprouts in half and place them into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Add Flavorings: Add sliced garlic, chopped bacon, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the Brussels sprouts. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat evenly.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Spread the Brussels sprouts mixture evenly on a parchment or foil-lined sheet pan, distributing the bacon and garlic pieces all around for even cooking.
- Season: Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper over the Brussels sprouts to enhance flavor.
- Add Remaining Maple Syrup: Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of maple syrup evenly over the arranged Brussels sprouts for an added touch of sweetness.
- Roast: Place the sheet pan in the oven and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the Brussels sprouts are fork-tender and the bacon is crispy and browned.
- Garnish with Thyme: Remove from oven and optionally sprinkle fresh thyme sprigs over the Brussels sprouts for a fragrant herbaceous note.
- Optional Extra Sweetness: For a sweeter flavor, toss the roasted Brussels sprouts with an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of maple syrup right after removing from the oven.
Notes
- Use fresh Brussels sprouts for best flavor and texture.
- Adjust maple syrup quantity according to desired sweetness.
- Cooking time may vary slightly depending on oven; check for tenderness and bacon crispiness as indicators.
- Fresh thyme adds a lovely herbal aroma but can be omitted or substituted with rosemary or sage.
- Serve immediately for best crispness; leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated.
