Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts are one of the most irresistible side dishes you can make. Sweet pure maple syrup combines with salty, crispy bacon and perfectly pan-seared Brussels sprouts to deliver a balance of flavor and texture everyone will love. This easy skillet recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for weeknight dinners, family meals, or holiday gatherings.
Pair these Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts with a roast, pork, or poultry entrée for a complete meal that highlights savory bacon and caramelized vegetables.
Let me introduce you to my favorite vegetable side dish. Combining sweet maple syrup and crisp bacon with seared Brussels sprouts elevates a humble vegetable into something impressive. What really sets this recipe apart is the cooking technique: pan-frying the sprouts cut-side down in a hot skillet. That focused contact with the pan creates a deep, golden caramelization that roasting alone doesn’t always achieve.
I used to roast Brussels sprouts for years, but switching to a hot skillet changed everything. The sprouts get a beautiful browning on their cut faces while remaining tender inside. This method is simple and reliable when you follow a couple of key rules.
My secret to perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts every time:
- Use a hot pan with an even layer of oil or rendered bacon fat.
- Place all sprouts cut-side down in a single layer and don’t disturb them for 6–8 minutes to develop a deep caramelized crust.
Follow these steps and you’ll get tender, caramelized sprouts with crisp edges every time.
Ingredients
- Bacon — chopped into bite-sized pieces.
- Brussels sprouts — 1 pound, trimmed and halved; fresh sprouts provide the best texture.
- Salt and ground black pepper — to taste, recommended ½ teaspoon of each for this quantity.
- Apple juice — about 2 tablespoons, used to deglaze and add subtle acidity.
- Maple syrup — 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup (not imitation) to glaze and balance the savory flavors.
Instructions
- Cook the bacon. In a large cast-iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat, add chopped bacon and cook 6–8 minutes until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
- Pan-fry the Brussels sprouts. Add the halved sprouts to the hot skillet, cut-side down, in a single layer. Keep the heat at medium-high and do not move the sprouts for 6–8 minutes so the cut surfaces can caramelize and brown.
- Season and continue cooking. After the initial sear, sprinkle with salt and pepper, stir the sprouts, and cook another 6–8 minutes until the outer leaves are tender and browned.
- Glaze the sprouts. Pour apple juice and maple syrup into the skillet, tossing the sprouts to coat and encourage a glossy caramel glaze. Cook an additional 3–5 minutes, allowing the liquid to reduce slightly and cling to the sprouts.
- Finish with bacon and serve. Return the crispy chopped bacon to the skillet, toss to combine, and serve immediately while warm and crisp.
Recipe tips
- Serve immediately. This is best right out of the skillet when the sprouts are warm and the bacon is crisp. They lose their crispness if held for long.
- To make it vegetarian: Omit the bacon and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet instead of bacon fat. Follow the same searing and glazing steps.
- Use fresh sprouts. Fresh halved Brussels sprouts deliver the best texture; frozen sprouts tend to be softer and won’t brown the same way.
- Skillet choice: A cast-iron pan is ideal for even heat and great sear, but any heavy-bottomed skillet will work.
- Scale easily: This version serves four as a side. To serve more people, cook in batches or use two skillets so the sprouts can sear in a single layer without crowding.
What to serve with Brussels sprouts
Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts pair beautifully with roasted, grilled, or smoked proteins. They are an especially welcome side at holiday meals but are equally at home with weeknight dinners. Consider serving them alongside:
- Bacon-wrapped chicken or pork
- Roasted turkey or smoked turkey breast
- Grilled steak or a slow-roasted beef entrée
- Pork tenderloin or pork skewers seasoned with herbs
- Beef Wellington or any elegant roast for holiday feasts
More bacon recipes to try
If you love bacon, experiment with other recipes that combine salty, smoky bacon with sweet or savory elements for contrast and depth of flavor. Try grilled bacon-wrapped shrimp, maple bacon muffins, maple bacon ice cream, or sweet potato skins topped with bacon and herbs.
Recipe details
These Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts deliver sweet and savory notes with crisp bacon and caramelized sprouts. Quick, simple, and crowd-pleasing.
Servings: 4 as a side
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Author: Whitney Bond
Ingredients (quantities for 4 servings)
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons apple juice
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Instructions (concise)
- Cook chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, 6–8 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels, leaving bacon fat in the pan.
- Add halved Brussels sprouts, cut-side down, to the hot skillet. Sear without moving for 6–8 minutes to caramelize.
- Season with salt and pepper, stir, and cook another 6–8 minutes until tender and browned.
- Add apple juice and maple syrup, toss to coat, and cook 3–5 minutes to glaze the sprouts.
- Return the cooked bacon to the pan, toss to combine, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a heavy skillet for the best sear. Cast iron is ideal but not required.
- The recipe is naturally gluten-free and can be made vegetarian by substituting oil for bacon fat and omitting the bacon.
- To scale the recipe, cook in batches or use multiple skillets to keep the sprouts in a single layer for even browning.
Nutrition Facts (per serving, approximate)
- Calories: 172 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Fat: 9 g (Saturated fat: 3 g)
- Sodium: 466 mg
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 9 g
- Vitamin C: 96 mg (approx.)