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Home » Recipes » Gluten Free

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

By Erin · November 3, 2022 · Leave a Comment

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Gluten FreePaleo
roasted brussels sprouts in a bowl and in a skillet with text overlay

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts is a classic side dish made even better with bacon and a balsamic maple glaze. Enjoy this 20-minute recipe for the holidays, weeknight dinners, and more!

roasted brussels sprouts in a bowl with bacon

Serving brussels sprouts during the holidays is a give-in. But what if you could pack this underrated vegetable with flavor from bacon and balsamic? Sounds good, right?

That’s exactly what these Balsamic Brussels Sprouts are all about. Pan-fried in bacon fat and seasoned with a balsamic vinegar and maple syrup glaze, this is one holiday side dish no one will turn their nose up at!

The process is quick and easy, too. In just 20 minutes, you’re left with glazed brussels sprouts that are bursting with sweet and tangy flavors. The fried bacon bits in every bite always leave dinner guests feeling delighted!

Keep this recipe handy during the holidays. You never know when you need another vegetable side dish to pair with sauteed asparagus, roasted red potatoes, and maple roasted carrots.

Recipe features

  • Pan fried brussels sprouts are upgraded with bacon and a balsamic vinegar glaze.
  • The balsamic and maple syrup glaze tempers the brussels sprouts' natural bitter flavors.
  • An easy 20-minute side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or regular weeknight dinners!
roasted brussels sprouts in a skillet

Ingredients

Brussels sprouts - Fresh brussels sprouts are best because they’ll be much tastier and you don’t need to wait for them to thaw. Frozen sprouts tend to become softer or even soggy in the middle.

Bacon - Small bacon pieces are fried in the pan first. There are two reasons why: (1) fried bacon makes maple glazed brussels sprouts extra tasty, and (2) the brussels sprouts are pan-fried in the bacon fat to help infuse more flavor. Instead of bacon, feel free to use pancetta or turkey bacon.

Balsamic vinegar - It’s mixed together with maple syrup to make a homemade balsamic glaze. If you already have storebought balsamic glaze at home, go ahead and use it instead.

Maple syrup - To help sweeten the balsamic glaze over the sprouts while taming their natural bitter flavor. If you don’t have maple syrup, substitute honey instead.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Cook the bacon. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. When it’s hot, add the bacon pieces and cook until they’re crisp. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate while you pan fry the brussels sprouts.

cooked chopped bacon in a skillet

Step 2: Cook the brussels sprouts. Now add the brussels sprouts to the skillet with the bacon fat. Stir to coat, then cover with a lid to help them tenderize. 

Step 3: Add the bacon again. Add the bacon back to the pan after a few minutes. Remove the lid and turn up the heat slightly. Cook the sprouts, undisturbed, until they’ve browned to your liking.

raw and cooked brussels sprouts in a skillet

Step 4: Season with balsamic. Stir the balsamic vinegar and maple syrup together in a small bowl. Pour the sauce over the finished sprouts and season with salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy!

Tips and FAQs

  • Try not to move the brussels sprouts around as they pan fry! Leaving them undisturbed is the secret to that irresistible golden-brown crust.
  • If you want to use frozen brussels sprouts, make sure to thaw them before frying.
  • Sprinkle pomegranate seeds or pecans on top of the finished dish to help bulk it up and give it an enticing holiday flair.
  • You can make this recipe vegetarian or vegan by omitting the bacon or replacing it with crumbled tempeh bacon. Just use olive oil or avocado oil in place of the bacon fat.

How do you prepare brussels sprouts?

Wash them well and cut off the woody ends with a knife. Remove any loose leaves or those with blemishes. Cut each sprout in half and you’re ready to start frying.

Can you bake the brussels sprouts instead?

Yes, you can easily make this recipe in the oven instead. First, stir the bacon, sprouts, maple syrup, and balsamic together and transfer the mixture to a baking sheet. Bake at 425ºF for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing halfway through.

Alternatively, roast the brussels sprouts and bacon without the “sauce”. This will make them extra crispy. Simply drizzle the balsamic glaze over the top when they’re done and serve.

Can you make it ahead of time?

Yes, but I recommend roasting the brussels sprouts in the oven instead. This way, you can stir the sprouts, bacon, and glaze together a few hours in advance and keep them in the fridge until it’s time to cook.

What can you use instead of brussels sprouts?

The tangy, sweet, and salty flavors in this veggie side dish pair well with more than just brussels sprouts. Instead, you can use carrots, broccoli, parsnips, napa cabbage, or a mixture of all four.

roasted brussels sprouts in a bowl with bacon

More brussels sprouts recipes

  • Kale, Apple, and Brussels Sprouts Salad
  • Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts Salad
  • Brussels Sprouts Pizza

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!

roasted brussels sprouts in a bowl with bacon

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts is a classic side dish made even better with bacon and a balsamic maple glaze. Enjoy this 20-minute recipe for the holidays, weeknight dinners, and more!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2
Author: Erin

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. brussels sprouts ends trimmed and sliced in half
  • 3 slices bacon chopped
  • 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon maple syrup
  • salt and pepper to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium-low heat; remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  • Add the brussels sprouts to the skillet with the bacon fat and stir to coat. Place a lid on the skillet and cook on low heat for 5 minutes. Uncover, add the bacon back into the skillet, increase the heat to medium and continue cooking uncovered for 3-5 minutes until the sprouts are browned to your liking.
  • In a small bowl whisk the balsamic and maple syrup together. Once the sprouts are done, pour the sauce overtop and stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

Notes

*Calories are per serving and are an estimation
*NOTE: Prefer to bake? Stir bacon, sprouts, maple syrup, and balsamic together, transfer to a lined baking sheet and bake at 425° for 25-30 minutes, tossing halfway through; OR, omit “sauce” and drizzle with balsamic glaze once they’re out of the oven/before serving
*NOTE: You can use store-bought balsamic glaze instead if you prefer
*Optional add-ins: pomegranate seeds, pecans if you want to bulk it up

Nutrition

Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 64mg | Potassium: 945mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 1710IU | Vitamin C: 193mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 3mg
Did you Make this Recipe? Tag me Today!Leave a comment below and tag @thealmondeater on Instagram!
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About Erin

Erin is the recipe developer, writer and photographer behind the healthy food blog, The Almond Eater. She's been blogging since 2014 and loves to create food for many different diets, including vegan, gluten free and/or Whole30 recipes.

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Hi, I'm Erin!

I share recipes for ALL diet types because I believe that healthy food should be incredibly delicious without being complicated. Learn more

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