Irresistible Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Butter and Crispy Bacon: Your New Favorite Side Dish
Prepare to elevate your vegetable game to an entirely new level with these extraordinary roasted Brussels sprouts. While often overlooked or misunderstood, Brussels sprouts truly shine when roasted to perfection. But why stop there? Imagine combining their inherent earthy, slightly nutty flavor with the buttery sweetness of honey and the savory crunch of crispy bacon. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a culinary revelation that transforms a humble vegetable into a star attraction.
Why This Recipe for Honey Butter Bacon Brussels Sprouts Works Wonders
Every single bite of these roasted Brussels sprouts is a delightful journey of flavors and textures. You’ll experience the rich, savory notes of perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts, complemented by the irresistible sweetness and creamy texture of the honey butter, and finally, a salty, satisfying crunch from the crispy bacon. It’s a symphony of tastes that truly transforms this often-maligned vegetable into something utterly addictive.
For many years, like countless others, I had a less-than-favorable opinion of Brussels sprouts. Perhaps it was a childhood encounter with overcooked, mushy sprouts that left a lasting impression. However, a beautifully executed roasted Brussels sprouts dish, prepared by Leigh, completely changed my perspective. The crisp outer leaves and tender interior were a game-changer. Yet, after enjoying them in their simple roasted form for a while, I found myself wondering: how could I elevate them even further? How could I introduce new dimensions of flavor and make them truly unforgettable?
After much experimentation and a bit of creative digging, this recipe emerged, and it has never disappointed. It’s designed to impress even the most skeptical eaters and convert lifelong sprout-haters into ardent fans. The combination of sweet, salty, smoky, and savory elements ensures that each component plays a crucial role in creating a harmonious and incredibly delicious side dish.
So, if you’re looking to add a fantastic twist to your regular vegetable rotation or need a standout side for a special meal, these honey butter bacon Brussels sprouts are an absolute must-try. You simply won’t regret it.
These delectable bites of goodness are incredibly versatile. They pair wonderfully with hearty main courses such as a succulent garlic herb beef top round roast, an elegant prime rib, or a flavorful smoked chuck roast. They would also make a magnificent addition to any holiday spread, perfectly complementing a juicy roast turkey or glazed ham, adding a touch of gourmet flair to your festive table.
If your preference leans towards a less sweet Brussels sprouts recipe, don’t miss our equally delicious crispy roasted Brussels sprouts with aioli, offering a different but equally appealing flavor profile.
Essential Ingredients for this Delicious Side Dish
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its simplicity. You won’t need any exotic or hard-to-find ingredients to create this amazing dish. The magic truly lies in how these common components come together to create an extraordinary flavor. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and a few tips for selection:
- 1 1/2 – 2 lbs Brussels Sprouts: For the best results, look for bright green, firm sprouts with tightly packed leaves. Avoid any that are yellowing or have soft spots. This amount typically yields about 24 medium-sized sprouts, perfect for serving 4 people generously as a side.
- 6 Slices of Bacon: Whether you prefer thick-cut or thin-cut bacon, the choice is entirely yours and depends on your desired texture. Thick-cut bacon will give you chewier, more substantial pieces, while thin-cut will be extra crispy and delicate. Both work wonderfully to add that essential salty, smoky flavor and crunch.
- Butter (Room Temperature): Using room temperature butter is crucial for achieving a smooth, well-combined honey butter. Cold butter will be difficult to whisk evenly with honey, leading to a lumpy mixture. Unsalted butter is usually preferred, allowing you to control the saltiness with kosher salt.
- Honey: Any good quality honey will work beautifully here. The honey provides the delightful sweetness that balances the bitterness of the sprouts and the saltiness of the bacon. It also helps create a lovely glaze on the roasted vegetables.
- Kosher Salt: Kosher salt has a larger flake size and provides a cleaner, less harsh salty flavor compared to table salt. It’s perfect for seasoning the sprouts before roasting and for adjusting taste at the end.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper offers a superior aroma and more robust flavor than pre-ground pepper. It adds a subtle peppery kick that enhances all the other flavors.
With these straightforward ingredients, you’re just a few steps away from creating a truly unforgettable side dish.
How To Make Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Honey Butter And Bacon: A Step-by-Step Guide
This recipe is surprisingly simple, yet yields incredibly impressive results. Follow these steps to create perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts coated in luscious honey butter and savory bacon.
- Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even roasting, promoting crispiness rather than steaming.
- Cook the Bacon: Cook your 6 slices of bacon using your preferred method until they are wonderfully crispy. You can pan-fry them, bake them in the oven, or even microwave them. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat. Crucially, reserve 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon grease; this flavorful fat will be key to seasoning your Brussels sprouts.
- Crumble the Bacon: Once the cooked bacon has cooled enough to handle comfortably, crumble it into small, bite-sized pieces. Set these delicious bacon bits aside until the very end, as they will be added for a final textural and flavor boost.
- Prepare the Brussels Sprouts: Take your 1.5 to 2 pounds of Brussels sprouts. Trim off the tough ends and carefully remove any loose, discolored, or bruised outer leaves. Cut each medium Brussels sprout in half through the core. This ensures more surface area for caramelization and quicker, more even cooking. For smaller sprouts, you may leave them whole if desired, but halving is generally recommended for optimal crispiness.
- Season the Sprouts: Place the prepared Brussels sprouts halves into a large mixing bowl. Pour the reserved 2 tablespoons of warm bacon grease over them. Then, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. The bacon grease not only adds incredible flavor but also helps the sprouts get beautifully crispy in the oven.
- Toss to Coat: Gently mix or toss the Brussels sprouts in the bowl until each piece is evenly coated with the bacon grease and seasonings. Ensure no sprout is left bare to guarantee maximum flavor and crispiness.
- Roast for Crispy Perfection: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking. Arrange the seasoned Brussels sprouts on the baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they are cut-side down. This allows the flat surface to make direct contact with the hot pan, promoting that coveted caramelization and crispiness. Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, making sure to toss or turn them once halfway through the roasting time to ensure even browning on all sides.
- Prepare the Honey Butter: While the Brussels sprouts are roasting, prepare the delicious honey butter. In a separate bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of softened, room temperature butter with 2 tablespoons of honey. Whisk vigorously until the butter and honey are thoroughly combined into a smooth, creamy mixture. Set this aside.
- Check for Doneness: After 30 minutes of roasting, the Brussels sprouts should be tender on the inside, with a beautiful char and crispiness on the outside. Remove them from the oven and transfer them immediately into the bowl containing your prepared honey butter.
- Coat with Honey Butter: Stir the roasted Brussels sprouts gently until they are thoroughly coated with the warm, sweet, and buttery honey mixture. The heat from the sprouts will help the honey butter melt and cling beautifully.
- Add the Crispy Bacon: Now, add the crumbled crispy bacon to the bowl with the coated Brussels sprouts. Stir everything together one last time, ensuring the bacon bits are distributed throughout the dish, adding texture and bursts of salty flavor in every mouthful.
- Season and Serve: Taste the dish and season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately while warm to enjoy the ultimate combination of crispy, tender, sweet, and savory.
This side dish is incredibly easy to assemble and requires minimal effort for maximum flavor. While roasted Brussels sprouts on their own are enjoyable, these simple yet ingenious additions of honey butter and bacon truly elevate them from a basic vegetable side to an unforgettable culinary experience that will delight everyone at your table.
And for those who typically shy away from vegetables, especially Brussels sprouts, this recipe is a game-changer. The harmonious blend of flavors makes eating your greens an absolute pleasure, proving that with the right preparation, Brussels sprouts can indeed be amazing! Give it a try, and prepare to be pleasantly surprised by how much you (and everyone else) will love them!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Crispiness is key to delicious roasted Brussels sprouts! The most common reason for a lack of crispiness is insufficient oven temperature. To achieve decent crispiness and a beautiful char, ensure your oven is preheated to at least 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C). Additionally, avoid overcrowding the baking sheet. Spreading the sprouts in a single layer allows for proper air circulation, which is essential for roasting rather than steaming. Using a little fat, like the reserved bacon grease in this recipe, also helps tremendously in achieving that coveted crispy texture.
Yes, it is highly recommended to cut most Brussels sprouts in half before roasting, especially for this recipe. Halving them creates a larger flat surface area, which not only allows more of the sprout to be coated in oil and seasonings but also provides a contact point with the hot baking sheet for excellent caramelization and browning. These smaller pieces will also roast more quickly and evenly compared to whole sprouts, ensuring they are tender inside and crispy outside.
For this particular recipe, parboiling (partially boiling) the Brussels sprouts before roasting is generally not necessary, especially if you are using medium-sized sprouts. Roasting directly yields a great texture. However, if you are using unusually large Brussels sprouts, a quick parboil for 3-5 minutes can give them a head start on cooking, ensuring they become tender in the middle without over-charring the outside. Always make sure to drain them thoroughly and pat them dry before roasting if you choose to parboil.
Leftover roasted Brussels sprouts can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat them, spread them on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until heated through and slightly re-crisped. Reheating in the oven helps restore some of their crispiness, which can be lost during refrigeration. Microwaving is an option, but it often results in softer, less appealing texture.
While the bacon adds a significant depth of flavor and texture, you can certainly adapt this recipe to be vegetarian. Omit the bacon entirely and use olive oil or avocado oil instead of bacon grease for roasting. You might also consider adding smoked paprika for a hint of smoky flavor, or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a savory, cheesy note. To add back a textural element, consider toasted pecans or walnuts for a delightful crunch.
Other Delicious Sides You’ll Love
Baked Macaroni And Cheese
Fast And Delicious Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon Honey Butter Recipe
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Ingredients
- 6 slices Bacon thick cut or regular
- 1.5 lbs Brussels sprouts
- 2 tbsp Honey
- 2 tbsp Butter room temperature
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Cook 6 pieces of bacon your preferred method. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon grease.6 slices Bacon
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Crumble the bacon when it is cool enough to handle and set aside.
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Cut approximately 24 medium brussels sprouts in half and place into a bowl. Remove any outer leaves that look bruised.1.5 lbs Brussels sprouts
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Pour the reserved bacon grease over the brussels sprouts and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground pepper.1/2 tsp Kosher salt, 1/4 tsp Black pepper
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Mix or toss gently until the brussels sprouts are covered equally.
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the brussels sprouts flat side down. Roast for 30 minutes, turning them once while they are roasting.
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Add 2 tablespoons of room temperature butter and two tablespoons of honey to a bowl. Whisk until combined well. Set aside.2 tbsp Honey, 2 tbsp Butter
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Remove the brussels sprouts after they have been roasting for 30 minutes and have a slight char to them.
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Add the roasted brussels sprouts to the bowl containing the honey butter and stir until all the sprouts are completely coated.
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Add the crumbled bacon to the bowl and stir it in.
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Season with additional salt and pepper to taste and serve!