The Best Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon Recipe

I used to be one of those people who turned their nose up at Brussels sprouts. Honestly, who could blame me after years of mushy, overcooked sprouts that tasted like sad little cabbages? But then I discovered the magic of this Brussels sprouts with bacon recipe, and everything changed!

This recipe completely transformed my opinion (and Emily's too - she actually asks for seconds now!). When you roast Brussels sprouts at high heat with crispy bacon pieces and finish them with a sweet honey mustard glaze, they become these incredible caramelized little gems.

The best part? This whole dish comes together in just 35 minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Perfect for those busy weeknight dinners when you want something that tastes way more complicated than it actually is.

Speaking of easy side dishes that pack a punch, if you're looking for more vegetable recipes that'll actually get eaten, you've got to try my roasted asparagus with parmesan. It's another one of those "I can't believe how good this is" recipes that turns vegetable skeptics into believers.

Why You Will Like This Brussels Sprouts With Bacon Recipe

This roasted Brussels sprouts recipe has become my go-to side dish for everything from casual Tuesday dinners to holiday gatherings. Here's why it works so well:

• Ready in 35 minutes - Most of that time is hands-off roasting in the oven
• Only 8 simple ingredients - Nothing fancy or hard to find
• Crispy and caramelized texture - No more mushy Brussels sprouts disasters
• Sweet and savory balance - The honey mustard glaze is pure magic
• Low-carb and gluten-free - Works for most dietary needs
• Kid-approved - Even picky eaters love the bacon factor

I've served this at Thanksgiving dinner three years running, and every single time someone asks for the recipe. Last year, my sister-in-law actually took a photo of my ingredient list because she said it was "too good not to steal."

Ingredients For The Best Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

Here's what you'll need to make this Brussels sprouts recipe that actually tastes amazing:

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts (trimmed, washed & halved)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 4 slices bacon (diced, uncooked)
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons honey

The key to success here is using fresh Brussels sprouts that are roughly the same size so they cook evenly. I learned this the hard way when I mixed huge sprouts with tiny ones and ended up with some that were burnt and others that were still raw (not my finest cooking moment!).

How To Make Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

This oven roasted Brussels sprouts recipe is honestly foolproof once you get the timing down. Here's exactly how I make them every time:

Prep The Brussels Sprouts

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F and lightly grease a large baking sheet.
2. Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts, removing any yellow or damaged outer leaves. Don't skip this step - those outer leaves can taste bitter!
3. Combine Brussels sprouts, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Toss everything until the sprouts are evenly coated.

First Roasting Stage

4. Spread the seasoned Brussels sprouts in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. Make sure they're not overcrowded - this is crucial for getting them crispy instead of steamed.
5. Sprinkle the diced bacon pieces evenly around the sprouts. The bacon will render its fat as it cooks, adding even more flavor to the vegetables.
6. Roast for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through. I set a timer for 10 minutes to remind myself to stir - trust me, you don't want to forget this step!

Add The Honey Mustard Glaze

7. While the Brussels sprouts are roasting, mix together the Dijon mustard and honey in a small bowl. This creates the most incredible sweet and tangy glaze.
8. After 20 minutes, when the Brussels sprouts and bacon are starting to get golden brown, remove the pan from the oven.
9. Drizzle the honey mustard mixture over everything and stir until it's evenly distributed. The glaze should coat all the sprouts nicely.

Final Roasting

10. Return to the oven for 5-10 more minutes until the glaze has caramelized and the Brussels sprouts are deeply golden brown. Keep an eye on them during this final stage - they can go from perfect to burnt pretty quickly!
11. Remove from oven and give everything a final stir to make sure nothing sticks to the pan.

The smell when you open that oven door is absolutely incredible. Emily always comes running to the kitchen asking "Is dinner ready yet?" the second she smells it!

Storage And Reheating Your Brussels Sprouts

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Though honestly, there are rarely any leftovers when I make this recipe!

To reheat, you can use either the microwave for quick warming or pop them back in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to crisp them up again. The oven method is definitely better if you want to maintain that crispy texture.

I don't recommend freezing these since Brussels sprouts can get mushy when thawed, and nobody wants mushy sprouts after experiencing the crispy perfection of this recipe.

Tips And Variations For Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

After making this roasted Brussels sprouts bacon recipe dozens of times, I've picked up a few tricks that make all the difference:

My Best Tips

• Choose smaller Brussels sprouts when possible - they cook more evenly and the honey mustard glaze penetrates better
• Don't overcrowd the pan - use two baking sheets if you're doubling the recipe
• Cut sprouts roughly the same size for even cooking
• Let bacon render properly in that first 20 minutes for maximum flavor

Delicious Variations

Want to mix things up? Here are some variations I've tried and loved:

• Add dried cranberries in the last 5 minutes for a pop of sweetness
• Sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top before serving
• Use maple syrup instead of honey for a different flavor profile
• Try turkey bacon for a slightly lighter version
• Add a splash of balsamic vinegar with the honey mustard for extra tang

Have you ever tried adding different nuts to roasted vegetables? I'm always experimenting with new combinations, and pecans work surprisingly well with this recipe too!

Frequently Asked Questions About Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

Recipes You May Like

If you're loving this Brussels sprouts with bacon recipe, you'll definitely want to try these other amazing vegetable sides:

• Roasted Asparagus With Parmesan - Another quick roasted vegetable that's absolutely addictive
• Honey Glazed Carrots - Sweet, tender carrots that pair perfectly with the savory Brussels sprouts
• Garlic Green Beans With Almonds - Crispy green beans with a delicious crunch

The Bottom Line On Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

This roasted Brussels sprouts recipe has honestly become one of my most requested dishes. Who would have thought that the vegetable I used to avoid at all costs would become something I actually crave?

The combination of crispy, caramelized Brussels sprouts with salty bacon and that sweet honey mustard glaze is just perfect. It's fancy enough for holiday dinners but simple enough for a random Tuesday when you want something special.

The best part? Even if you think you don't like Brussels sprouts, this recipe might just change your mind. I've converted more Brussels sprouts skeptics with this dish than I can count!

Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think. Don't forget to save it to Pinterest for later - you're definitely going to want to make this again and again!