Looking for a simple, crowd-pleasing side? This maple bacon Brussels sprouts recipe is sweet, savory, and surprisingly kid-friendly—the maple glaze helps tame the sprouts’ natural bitterness while adding a delicious caramelized finish.
With cooler weather here, cruciferous vegetables are back in season. Even if you didn’t grow them yourself, stores often have Brussels sprouts on sale this time of year, and they’re a great ingredient to keep on hand for quick, flavorful sides.
I used to avoid Brussels sprouts until I discovered recipes that pair them with bacon and sweet elements. This maple bacon version is now a favorite—salty bacon, sweet maple syrup, a touch of red pepper flakes, and a little caramelization transform the sprouts into something everyone asks for seconds of.
They work well alongside roasted or braised main dishes. We especially like them with chicken and rice or layered spaghetti: the sweet-savory contrast brightens a savory plate and often makes vegetables more appealing to picky eaters.
Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Notes before you start:
- If you keep thick-cut bacon frozen, dicing it while partially frozen makes slicing easier before frying.
- Reserve and use the bacon grease to roast the sprouts — it infuses them with classic bacon flavor and helps achieve a nice crisp.
- The maple glaze helps mellow any bitterness, making these sprouts a good choice for children or anyone hesitant about cruciferous vegetables.
Similar dishes you might like:
- Thyme Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Simple Roasted Radishes
- Oven Roasted Asparagus
- Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Summer Veggies
Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts Recipe
- 4 oz. bacon (save 2 Tablespoons of bacon grease)
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- A dash of pepper
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Ingredients
- Preheat oven to 400ºF.
- Fry the bacon in a medium skillet until crisp, remove it from the pan, reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon grease, and crumble the cooked bacon.
- While the bacon cooks, trim and quarter the Brussels sprouts.
- Place the sprouts in a bowl, drizzle with the reserved 2 tablespoons of bacon grease, toss to coat, then spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
- While the sprouts roast, whisk together maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes to make the glaze.
- After 10 minutes, remove the sprouts from the oven, drizzle with the maple glaze, and toss to coat evenly.
- Return the sprouts to the oven for about 10 more minutes, or until they reach your preferred fork-tender texture and show some caramelization.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle with crumbled bacon, and serve hot.
- Enjoy!