These Caramelized Balsamic Glaze Brussels Spouts are roasted with brown sugar and bacon for some serious flavor. They're a great side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Dinners or just for any night of the week. Ready in 45 minutes!
The flavor of Brussels Sprouts really depend on how they are prepared. Cook them wrong and they will end up bitter, but load them up with bacon, brown sugar and balsamic glaze and you'll have one delicious veggie!
If you love a good Brussels Sprout recipe, don't miss out on my Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Spicy Honey Mustard Dressing.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe:
- It's loaded with flavors from the bacon, brown sugar and balsamic glaze
- This recipe only takes 45 minutes to make
- Simple and inexpensive ingredients are used
- Brussels Sprouts are a must have side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays & this will certainly be a crowd pleaser
For more Holiday Side Dishes, try these Whipped Sweet Potatoes, Sautéed Delicata Squash, Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots, Garlic Smashed Potatoes, and Mashed Red Skinned Potatoes.
Ingredients for Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts:
Brussels Sprouts- Known to have a bitter flavor, but roasting this vegetable brings out the natural sweetness. This recipe caramelizes them in a skillet, then they are oven roasted until tender and delicious.
Bacon-Bacon and bacon grease are a must have with Brussels Sprouts. The crispy bacon pairs so well with the veggie. Plus, the bacon grease helps to caramelize the Brussel's Sprouts and it has a higher burning point than butter, which means it can withstand higher temps in the skillet. Use an original bacon for the best flavors.
Brown Sugar- Brings in sweetness and helps to create a caramelized exterior on the Brussels Sprouts.
Balsamic Glaze-Thick balsamic glaze that brings in a touch of acidity into the recipe. The balsamic glaze is a bit sweeter than balsamic vinegar and I really like the subtle flavor in this recipe.
*Full recipe ingredients and quantities can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions and Variations:
If you're vegetarian, leave out the bacon and add in 1 tablespoon of olive oil with the butter in order to cook the Brussels sprouts. They won't get as caramelized this way, as if you were to use bacon grease, but it will still work fine.
For more acidity, drizzle on more balsamic glaze at serving. Sliced almonds would also be yummy for topping too.
For main courses to serve with Brussels Sprouts, try this Traeger Smoked Turkey, Crusted Chicken Romano, Boneless Beef Short Ribs, and Double Smoked Ham.
How to Make Caramelized Brussels Sprouts:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Remove the very bottom stem of the Brussels Sprout, being careful not to cut off too much, or the leaves will fall off. Then, slice each Brussels Sprout in half through the stem.
Step 2: Place a stainless steel skillet over medium heat on the stovetop. Sauté the bacon for 7 to 8 minutes until slightly crispy, flipping half way through. Remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate and keep the grease in the pan. Add the butter and brown sugar and stir into the bacon grease.
Step 3: Carefully add the Brussel's sprouts cut side down into the pan and cook for 7 to 8 minutes until the inside is golden brown and caramelized.
Step 4: Turn off the heat. Stir in balsamic glaze and salt and pepper.
Step 5: Line a cookie sheet with foil and pour the skillet ingredients onto the tray. Bake for 10-20 minutes until the Brussels Sprouts are nice and tender.
Step 6: Allow the Brussels Sprouts to cool for five minutes. Then serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips:
- If you want the bacon less crispy, pull it off whenever it looks done to you, and wait to add it into the Brussels Sprouts after removing them from the oven.
- In Step 3, if the Brussel's Sprouts start to burn or the butter starts burning in the pan, turn down the heat to medium low.
Big on veggies? Try my Traeger Smoked Vegetables, Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms, Roasted Frozen Green Beans, Coleslaw for Pulled Pork, and Air Fryer Butternut Squash.
Recipe FAQs:
My favorite way to cook Brussels sprouts is to slice them in half, then caramelize them in a stainless steel skillet cut side down. Finish them by roasting in the oven until tender and delicious.
My favorite way to get the bitterness out of the Brussel's Sprouts is roasting them with bacon, bacon grease, and brown sugar. This helps to caramelize them and bring out their natural flavors without the bitterness.
Store the leftover Brussels Sprouts in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Make sure it is really sealed because they will stink up the fridge.
More Side Dish Recipes You'll Love:
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PrintRecipe
Caramelized Balsamic Glaze Brussels Sprouts
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 lb 1x
Description
These Caramelized Balsamic Glaze Brussels Spouts are roasted with brown sugar and bacon for some serious flavor. They're a great side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Dinners or just any night of the week. Ready in 45 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 lb Brussels Sprouts
- 4 slices Original Bacon, cut into 2 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt + ⅛ teaspoon black pepper (more to taste if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Remove the very bottom stem of the Brussels Sprout, being careful not to cut off too much or the leaves will fall off. Then, slice each Brussels Sprout in half through the stem.
- Place a stainless steel skillet over medium heat on the stovetop. Sauté the bacon for 7 to 8 minutes until slightly crispy, flipping half way through. Remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate and keep the grease in the pan. Add the butter and brown sugar and stir into the bacon grease.
- Carefully add the Brussel's sprouts cut side down into the pan and cook for 7 to 8 minutes until the inside is golden brown and caramelized.
- Turn off the heat. Stir in balsamic glaze and salt and pepper.
- Line a cookie sheet with foil and pour the skillet ingredients onto the tray. Bake for 10-20 minutes until the Brussel's Sprouts are nice and tender.
- Allow the Brussels Sprouts to cool off for five minutes. Then serve and enjoy!
Notes
- If you want the bacon less crispy, pull it off whenever it looks done to you, and wait to add it into the Brussels Sprouts after removing them from the oven.
- In Step 3, if the Brussel's Sprouts start to burn or the butter starts burning in the pan, turn down the heat to medium low.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: side dish
- Method: caramelized
- Cuisine: American
Lisa
These are so yummy! Absolutely love them & can’t wait to make them again for thanksgiving!