Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans & Maple Syrup

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Crispy, savory, and a little sweet, these roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, pecans, and maple syrup make a special addition to any meal!

roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon in bowl with serving spoon and linen napkin

If you love my basic roasted Brussels sprouts, you’ll definitely want to try this Brussels sprouts with bacon recipe! The crispy bacon, toasted pecans, and hint of maple syrup make them hard to resist—you might even find yourself eating the whole batch straight from the pan. Whether it’s for a holiday gathering or a simple weeknight meal, this dish is a surefire crowd-pleaser.

What You’ll Need to Make Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans & Maple Syrup

  • Pecans – Toasted for a nutty, crunchy texture that complements the roasted Brussels sprouts and bacon.
  • Bacon – Cooked until crispy to add a savory, smoky flavor that pairs nicely with the Brussels sprouts and maple syrup.
  • Brussels sprouts – The star of the dish, roasted to bring out their natural sweetness and crispiness.
  • Extra-virgin olive oil – Coats the Brussels sprouts for even roasting and enhances their flavor.
  • Balsamic vinegar – Provides a tangy acidity that balances the richness of the bacon and sweetness of the maple syrup.
  • Maple syrup – Adds a hint of sweetness that ties together all the flavors, making the dish irresistibly addictive.
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-by-Step Instructions

Begin by toasting the pecans in a 350-degree oven. Keep a close eye on them as they burn quickly!

pecans on foil-lined baking sheet

Next, cook the bacon. You can do this in a frying pan or the oven, but avoid the microwave—you’ll need the rendered fat to cook the Brussels sprouts. I find it easiest to cook bacon in the oven since there’s no need to flip it or worry about curling pieces and splattering fat. Simply arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.

bacon on foil-lined baking sheet

Bake for about 15 minutes until crisp and golden.

cooked bacon on baking sheet

Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain the fat, and then chop.

bacon on paper towel-lined plate

Toss the Brussels sprouts with the rendered fat from the bacon, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Brussels sprouts tossed with oil, bacon fat, and seasoning on foil-lined baking sheet

Roast for about 20 minutes, until the Brussels sprouts are golden brown and caramelized in spots.

roasted Brussels sprouts on baking sheet

They’ll be delicious as is, but tossing them with maple syrup and balsamic vinegar will make them even better. Transfer the Brussels sprouts to a serving dish and cover until ready to serve (the dish may be prepared in advance up to this point). Right before serving, top with chopped nuts and crispy bacon. Enjoy!

roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon in bowl with serving spoon and linen napkin

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans & Maple Syrup

Crispy, savory, and a little sweet, these roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, pecans, and maple syrup make a special addition to any meal!

Servings: 4 to 6
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Total Time: 50 Minutes

Ingredients

  • ½ cup pecans
  • 6 slices bacon
  • 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, halved (stem and ragged outer leaves removed)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
  2. Place the pecans on the prepared baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer the pecans to a cutting board and coarsely chop. Set aside.
  3. Increase the oven temperature to 400°F. Lay the bacon strips flat on the same foil-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them to avoid overlapping. Bake for 14 to 20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the bacon is crisp (cooking time will depend on the thickness of the bacon). Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, pour the rendered fat into a small dish, and discard the foil. Once the bacon is cool, roughly chop.
  4. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F and line the baking sheet with fresh aluminum foil. Using a rubber spatula, toss the Brussels sprouts directly on the baking sheet with the rendered bacon fat, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast, stirring midway through with the spatula to ensure even browning, until the Brussels sprouts are tender and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar and maple syrup, and toss to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning, then transfer to a serving dish. Just before serving, top with the chopped pecans and bacon.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (5 servings)
  • Calories: 376
  • Fat: 29 g
  • Saturated fat: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Fiber: 8 g
  • Protein: 11 g
  • Sodium: 570 mg
  • Cholesterol: 22 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Gluten-Free Adaptable Note

To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.

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Comments

  • I admit it, I love brussel sprouts so this recipe caught my eye immediately. It doesn’t disappoint. We serve it with pork tenderloin and with steak. The entire family gobbles them up. I make this as written.

    • — Shannon. Roley
    • Reply
  • Can I substitute Brussels for asparagus

    • Hi Rebecca, Yes, but cook time will be much shorter.

  • If you are looking for a recipe to convert your brussels sprouts haters, this is for you. The ratio of sweet to salty is perfect and the balsamic vinegar ties it together. I wouldn’t change a thing in this recipe.

  • This recipe is a keeper! My kids love this too – can’t go wrong with bacon in any recipe…. I use a little more pecans (3/4) for the extra crunch, as well as a little more bacon (9 strips) and there are never any leftovers….

  • If I make these a day ahead, at which step should I stop. Do I add the maple and balsamic or wait till I am reheating?
    Oven space is at a premium…

    • Hi Shelley, You can make it all ahead of time; just wait to add the bacon and pecans until right before serving so they stay crunchy.

  • Can these be made a day ahead?

    • Hi Shelly, They can, but they won’t be crisp like they are right when they come out of the oven.

  • How much bacon fat should be used?
    I find the quantity of bacon fat differs greatly with different bacon
    Thanks

    • Hi Darlene, About a tablespoon but it doesn’t matter too much if it’s off.

  • You have said that these can be made ahead up to the point where you have added the vinegar and maple syrup. How long would I reheat them for and would I do this in the oven or microwave? Thanks

    • Hi Darlene, I would reheat them in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes, or until hot.

  • I’m twenty-nine and I’m only now beginning to experiment with cooking. Your recipes make me very confident and comfortable in the kitchen.
    My in-laws think I’m a pro 🙂
    This particular dish is one of my favorites. I didn’t change a thing. It is so hearty and yet also very light, if you can imagine that. It hits the spot every time.

  • Delish! Added some dried cranberries and a little parmesan cheese at the end. Favorite Brussels sprout recipe yet!

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