This brown sugar bacon brussels sprouts recipe will make anyone a believer in this amazing vegetable! The best brussels sprouts recipes are all about sautéing or roasting, NOT boiling. That’s the secret!
Brussels sprouts. We need to talk. My poor, neglected vegetable friend. Don’t listen to what others say about you sometimes. They clearly haven’t tried these brown sugar bacon brussels sprouts.
They just don’t understand what it’s like to be you. You’re unique and delicate. You should only be prepared in certain ways and sadly… there are many home cooks out there who don’t understand your special needs.
People have been cooking you incorrectly for generations.
No vegetable likes to be boiled in plain water and I don’t see why anyone would think you’re any different! Water makes you soggy and, oddly enough, makes you smell and taste rather sulfurous.
It’s ok, like I said you’re unique. You don’t HAVE to smell bad. Just stay away from the water and make sure other people don’t submerge you.
You like high heat in the form of a 425-450 degree F oven or a hot sauté pan. Some olive oil or bacon fat to help get you all nice and caramelized. Maybe a bit of salt to bring out your finer qualities.
And when I get my hands on you, you get the works. Brown sugar, bacon, and a bit of balsamic vinegar. My darling, you’ve never tasted better.
Looking for more brussels sprouts recipes?
You definitely don’t want to miss my Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts! These Brussels Sprouts Chips from All Day I Dream About Food are also pretty amazing.
Brown Sugar Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 2 cups brussels sprouts
- 5 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2-4 tablespoons brown sugar (dark or light, though I prefer dark brown sugar)
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper as needed
Instructions
- Cut off the root ends of the brussels sprouts and pull off any old outer leaves. Slice them in half.
- In a large skillet, render the fat from the bacon over low to medium-low heat. Once the fat has mostly melted down, turn up the heat and brown until caramelized and crunchy. Set aside to drain on a paper towel. Remove all but two tablespoons of the bacon fat from the pan.
- In the same skillet, add the brussels and allow them to caramelize on one side. Deglaze the pan with the balsamic vinegar, using a spatula to scrape up any brown bits and incorporate them with the brussels. Continue to saute the brussels on high heat for a few minutes, shaking the pan, until they have softened up a bit. Add the bacon back to the pan along with 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved and is evenly coating the brussels sprouts.
- Taste; add the remaining brown sugar if desired, allowing it to dissolve before removing the pan from the heat. Add kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste. (Note: you might not need any salt because of the bacon).
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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Jennifer @ Mother Thyme says
I just picked up a bag of brussels sprouts at the market. but I was still unsure what I wanted to make. Now I know what I am going to make with them!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Brown sugar and bacon? Come let me love you! This sounds magical.
Joanne says
I am a HUGE brussels sprout fan, but they must be crispy and not mushy! Love the flavors you’ve infused into them!
Laura Dembowski says
I love Brussels sprouts and have been craving them constantly. I eat them a few times a week. I love them oven roasted with balsamic or curry or pan sauteed in hash or raw in slaw or even simply steamed.
Nutmeg Nanny says
Oh goodness, this has to be the best way to cook brussel sprouts :) this looks amazing!
Laura says
I’ve never liked brussel sprouts but you make me want to try!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
So happy you shared your version of Brussel sprout recipes. I love brussel sprouts, and cook until my family start to refuse to eat anymore. ;) I haven’t tried with brown sugar. This is a must try recipe for sure! (and no, I haven’t cooked it for a while, so my family will enjoy! :))
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
This is very similar to one of my favorite Brussels sprouts dishes except that mine has some red cabbage. Both veggies benefit similarly being kept away from water! I have some in the fridge; now I’m dying to make a batch just to nosh on them all day!
Jennifer Farley says
Red cabbage sounds like the perfect addition!
Chris says
I only got Brussels Sprout prepared in a wrong way when I was a child, but I didn’t let that fool me. Really, a lot depends on how you do it. What you have here, really sounds like a good way.
Sheri says
Oh for the love of brussel sprouts! I’ve never tried adding a little brown sugar to them. I definitely need to try this. I usually just roast them with olive oil, balsamic, and salt & pepper. Occasionally I’ll saute them with panchetta.
Lizz says
Delectable! I crumbled a bit of bleu cheese over my helping. Perfectly yummy!
Samantha @FerraroKitchen says
Just saw you share this on FB…I agree..every year I make brussel sprouts for the family..all 16 of us! But, every year, I make them the same way…roasted with garlic and lemon zest. Delicious yes, but I think I need to change it up…brown sugar may be happening this year!
Angie says
Am I the only lover of boiled b.sprouts? I have always loved them boiled (not to death) with butter (real butter) and salt and black pepper…yum….
So, loving them Eli’s way adding another set of fav ingredients mixed all together, MAN what a treat! I am making tomorrow to make sure it turns out right before the big turnkey day…heck, so easy don’t need a trial batch, just using it agencies to keep my trial sprouts to myself at home LOL!!!!!
Anyone have a good browned cauliflower recipe, you know simply browned in oven with simple salt pepper, oil? Anything else? Need to be covered?
Monique says
You don’t mention when and how you add the brown sugar!
Jennifer Farley says
I think you forgot to read the entire last step of the recipe :)
Elaine Williams in Baltimore says
Exactly what I was looking for to make with pan seared scallops tonight! You cannot go wrong with brown sugar and bacon!!!