Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

These roasted brussels sprouts are perfectly tender and caramelized, with crunchy bacon, red onion and sweet balsamic vinegar, they’re completely irresistible.

Roasted brussels sprouts with bacon is the ultimate flavor combination. I’ve tried making brussels sprouts many different ways – on the stovetop, in the oven, on the grill, covered, uncovered, low heat, high heat. My favorite way of preparing them is always roasting them.

This method yields the most perfect brussels sprouts every time, by using a super easy trick – roasting them in the oven, covered for half the time with foil and uncovered for the second half of the roasting. You will get brussels sprouts that are completely cooked through but still firm enough to hold their shape and not get mushy. At the same time, they are caramelized, so they’re golden brown, slightly sweet and a bit charred. Oh, so good! I love how you can taste the multiple layers as you bite through each sprout.

The crisp, smokey and salty bacon and the caramelized red onion complement the hearty brussels sprouts so well. The balsamic vinegar evens out all these flavor combinations because it has just a touch of sweetness and the acidity really comes through and elevates this simple side dish into something extra special.

Ingredients:

• brussels sprouts
• olive oil (avocado oil is another great option)
• bacon
• red onion
• garlic
• salt, ground black pepper
• balsamic vinegar
  

How To Make Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, placing a large rimmed baking sheet in the oven, so that it will heat up as the oven is preheating.
   • Preheating the baking sheet will mean that the brussels sprouts will start to sear and cook as soon as they hit the baking sheet, which means they will get a head start in cooking. It’s like preheating a skillet to get a good sear.
2. Prep the brussels sprouts.
   • Cut the larger brussels sprouts in half vertically, leaving the smaller ones whole. In a large bowl, toss the brussels sprouts with 1/2 – 3/4 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper and the olive oil, mixing to combine. 
3. Roast the brussels sprouts.
   • When the oven is preheated, take the hot baking sheet out of the oven and place the brussels sprouts onto the baking sheet cut side down. Cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, cook the bacon until golden and crisp. Set aside the bacon in a separate bowl. Drain most of the bacon grease, leaving about 1 – 1 1/2 Tablespoons in the skillet.
5. Next, cook the red onion in the same skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper, until softened. Clear some room in the center of the skillet and add the garlic. Saute just until fragrant, about a minute. Add the balsamic vinegar.
6. When the brussels sprouts have roasted for 10 minutes, remove the foil and continue roasting for 8-10 more minutes, until the brussels sprouts are the color and texture that you like. Flip them over as needed.
7. Lastly, toss the roasted brussels sprouts with the bacon and onion mixture until evenly combined. Serve hot.

Helpful Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

Video of Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

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