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

  • Do you have the nutritional numbers on this Brussels sprout recipe?

    • Hi Barbara, I just added them. Beware- they are a bit of an indulgence, but delicious!

  • This is my favorite way to make brussel sprouts. Perfect salty/sweet combo. I like to prep the bacon and almonds (or pecans) then add them before serving. This is a favorite for thanksgiving. It is best ate the same day, but will still be tasty a day after with Turkey or ham leftovers.

    • — christina purvis
    • Reply
  • This recipe is so delicious. I’ve made it over and over again. We love fresh brussel sprouts and then also bacon and maple syrup combo’s are a total winner. I did substitute walnuts occasionally and they are great in this dish as well. Thank you for making such a great recipe.

  • I noticed you are using fresh brussel sprouts. When Brussel Sprouts are out of season or if one can only get frozen sprouts, would it be possible to get the same excellent results using the frozen sprouts? If so, how would I adjust the cooking time? I assume I would align them in the same manner. Would I need to blanch them first the way you do some frozen vegetables? I just want to prevent them from becoming mushy and want some of them to be caramelized. Thank you for your recipes. They are fantastic!

    • — Bahni Anderson
    • Reply
    • Hi Bahni, glad you like the recipes! I’d suggest sticking with fresh Brussels sprouts here- I don’t think this recipe would be great with frozen- sorry!

  • Can you make this a day ahead and warm it up before serving?

    • Sure, I would just wait to add the bacon and pecans until right before serving so they stay crunchy.

  • Fabulous! This is now our “go to” recipe for Brussel Sprouts.

  • Recipe is the best I’ve ever tasted! Husband made them for me and I can’t get enough of them. We decreased the balsamic vinegar just a bit. Great balance with the maple syrup.

    • — Gina Marie Santore
    • Reply
  • At 60+ years of age I finally tried Brussels Sprouts…The Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans & Maple Syrup won me over. Now willing to try them in other recipes as well. 🙂

  • This recipe has all my favorites in it! The bacon, maple syrup and balsamic make the dish a perfect fall comfort food. Great recipe!

  • Great recipe – made it a couple times leading up to thanksgiving and then for the big day as well. Used Benton’s bacon to give it a nice smokey flavor, good maple syrup and substituted a balsamic glaze. It was a great hit!

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