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Home » Recipes » Sides

By Kaleigh McMordie - November 12, 2018, Updated January 20, 2022

Crispy Bourbon Brown Sugar Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon (+ Video)

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overhead view of bacon bourbon brown sugar brussels sprouts on a plate with a gold spoon in them with text overlay.

Step up your side dish game with crispy bourbon brown sugar roasted brussels sprouts with bacon! With only 6 ingredients, they're the most delicious brussels sprout recipe, and they turn even the pickiest eater into a brussels sprout fan. (gluten-free, dairy-free)

Bourbon Brown Sugar Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon on a plate with a gold spoon in them.

How do you feel about brussels sprouts? Whether you love them or have never tried them, you'll love them after tasting this recipe! Ever since I introduced these delicious crispy brussels sprouts with bacon, bourbon, and brown sugar to the family holiday table, I am not allowed to not bring them. It's not even a question anymore. It's just 'You're bringing brussels sprouts.' And I'm not mad.

If you want to be the hero of Thanksgiving (and Christmas, and every other holiday and non-holiday eating occasion), make these crispy bourbon brown sugar roasted brussels sprouts with bacon. You'll never be able to bring another side dish again. Not that you'd want to.

Why You'll Love These Brussels Sprouts

These bourbon brown sugar roasted brussels sprouts with bacon are truly the most delicious vegetable side dish on the planet. With bacon, bourbon, AND brown sugar, how can they not be? They're roasted up crispy (no soggy brussels here!) and the perfect combination of sweet and savory. They're special enough to grace your holiday table, but easy enough for weeknight meals.

Seriously, guys. These brussels sprouts even transform vegetable haters. The first time I made them for Thanksgiving, even Mr. Table's vegetable-hating family members loved them.

The Ingredients

overhead view of ingredients needed to make Bourbon Brown Sugar Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
  • Bacon. I like thick cut applewood smoked bacon. If you're using thinner bacon, you may need 3 pieces.
  • Brussels Sprouts. Look for smaller, bright green sprouts with tightly closed, unblemished leaves.
  • Shallot & Garlic
  • Bourbon. No need to use your best bottle. I typically use Jim Beam for cooking and baking.
  • Brown Sugar. It helps the edges of the sprouts caramelize beautifully and adds the perfect tough of sweetness.

How To Make Them

six image collage showing steps for making brussels sprouts with bacon bourbon and brown sugar.
  1. Cook the bacon in your skillet, leaving the grease when it's done. Don't let the bacon get super crispy, since it will crisp up more when the brussels sprouts are in the oven.
  2. Trim the woody ends from the brussels sprouts and cut them in half. Mince the shallot and garlic.
  3. Sauté the brussels sprouts, shallot and garlic in the skillet with the bacon grease on the stove until the brussels sprouts are bright green and slightly softened.
  4. Add the brown sugar, bacon pieces and bourbon and give it a stir.
  5. Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil until the sprouts are crispy and caramelized, about 10 minutes. Watch carefully so they don't burn!
closeup of Bourbon Brown Sugar Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon on a plate.

Tips for The Crispiest Brussels Sprouts

  • It's all about high heat and plenty of room! Brussels sprouts that are too crowded will steam instead of roast, so use a big skillet.
  • Don't throw out the stray leaves. These get really crispy and delicious in the oven, so keep them in!
  • Smaller brussels sprouts tend to have better flavor and cook into tender-crisp deliciousness better than larger ones.
  • Ovens vary, so make sure you're watching the brussels sprouts closely. Good ovens (especially gas powered) with powerful broilers will take less time than ovens that tend to run cool or that don't have great broilers.

Can't get enough brussels sprouts? Then you'll love these Delicious Brussels Sprout Recipes!

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!

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Crispy Bourbon Brown Sugar Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

closeup of Bourbon Brown Sugar Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon on a plate.
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews

Step up your side dish game with crispy bourbon brown sugar roasted brussels sprouts with bacon! With only 6 ingredients, they're the most delicious brussels sprout recipe, and they turn even the pickiest eater into a brussels sprout fan. (gluten-free, dairy-free)

  • Author: Kaleigh
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
  • Category: side dish
  • Method: stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 strips applewood smoked bacon
  • 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 4 cups brussels sprouts, halved lengthwise
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp bourbon
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Cook bacon in a large cast-iron or oven-safe skillet until just cooked. It should not be crispy, or it will over-cook later. Remove from skillet and crumble. Leave the fat in the skillet.
  2. Turn the oven broiler on.
  3. Add brussels sprouts, shallot and garlic to the skillet. Sautee on medium heat until brussels sprouts are bright green, about 10 minutes.
  4. Add salt, bourbon, brown sugar, and bacon. Stir to coat, then transfer skillet to the oven.
  5. Broil 10 minutes, or until brussels sprouts are crispy. Watch carefully so that they do not burn.
  6. Remove from oven and serve immediately.

Notes

  • It helps to use the largest cast iron skillet you have so that the brussels sprouts have plenty of room to roast.
  • If your oven and broiler are good and run nice and hot, they might take less time under the broiler. If your oven runs cool or isn't very powerful, they might take a little longer.
  • Many readers have said they use double the bacon, brown sugar, and/or bourbon. If it's a holiday I will often add more, too. But for everyday meals, I usually stick with smaller amounts. It's up to you!

Keywords: brown sugar bourbon brussels sprouts, brussels sprouts with bacon, brussels sprouts with bacon and bourbon

Did you make this recipe?

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Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie (Without Corn Syrup) »

About Kaleigh McMordie

Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian in Abilene, Texas, as well as a member of the Baby Led Weaning Dietitians Network. Kaleigh can be found at kaleighmcmordie.com.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marleth says

    January 06, 2022 at 3:29 pm

    I am so excited try this recipe! Brussel sprouts are some of fav veggies. Can I transfer the brussel sprouts to an tray when I place them in the oven so they have more space to crisp? Thank you in advance!

    Reply
    • Kaleigh says

      January 09, 2022 at 10:36 am

      Yes, a baking sheet is ideal if your skillet doesn't have a lot of room!

      Reply
  2. Amber B says

    November 24, 2021 at 10:09 am

    I now am “commanded” to make this delicious recipe every Thanksgiving! It’s so good!!!!

    Reply
    • Kaleigh says

      November 27, 2021 at 10:31 am

      I love it!

      Reply
  3. Michelle W says

    November 18, 2021 at 8:15 pm

    If I wanted to make these a little ahead of time to take to a Thanksgiving dinner, do you have any suggestions on the prep?

    Reply
    • Kaleigh says

      November 19, 2021 at 9:36 am

      I'd do all everything up until putting them in the oven. When you get to your destination, pop them in the oven at about 425 until they're hot and crispy, roughly 10-15 minutes.

      Reply
  4. Val says

    August 21, 2021 at 7:55 am

    I loved them. I used 4 pieces of bacon, 1/4 cup onion, 3 cloves garlic and brown sugar Bourbon. So yummy. I might add more Bourbon and brown sugar next time.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. Carmen Gutierrez says

    July 24, 2021 at 12:21 pm

    I make them once a month! So yummy!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Kaleigh says

      July 24, 2021 at 1:51 pm

      Awesome! Thanks for your review!

      Reply
  6. Rebecca says

    December 21, 2020 at 6:08 pm

    Hi! If what would be a good substitute if we didn’t want to use bourbon? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kaleigh says

      December 22, 2020 at 6:22 am

      You can either leave it out or add a splash of balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a little extra flavor. Enjoy!

      Reply
  7. Wanda Church says

    December 14, 2020 at 7:48 pm

    Hi or low broiler ? I have a gas stove

    Reply
    • Kaleigh says

      December 15, 2020 at 7:31 am

      I usually use high!

      Reply
  8. Tasha says

    October 21, 2020 at 11:27 pm

    I found this recipe through a Google search yesterday and planned to make it for dinner tonight. Although we had to make a few changes and omit the Apple Wood smoked bacon and shallot because we didn't have any on hand, it still turned out amazing! Hubby and I absolutely loved it!

    Because we didn't have the bacon fat to saute the brussels sprouts in, I subbed it with a drizzle of vegetable oil and 2 tsp of butter. We also added an extra garlic clove, used 1 oz of bourbon instead of a tbsp, and 2 tbsp of brown sugar instead of 1 tbsp. So so good! 😁 Thanks for the tasty recipe Kaleigh. We can't wait to try it again and include the Apple Wood smoked bacon and shallots!

    P.S. I forgot to take pics and tag you on Instagram. Will try to remember next time! 😀

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Kaleigh says

      October 22, 2020 at 6:30 am

      So glad you loved them! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Rosie says

    September 08, 2020 at 1:45 am

    I also added more bourbon, tasted amazing EVERYone loves this

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Kaleigh says

      September 08, 2020 at 8:38 am

      Amazing! We love it too! Thanks for the review.

      Reply
  10. Faye Lore says

    October 30, 2019 at 3:44 pm

    How many brussels sprouts are in 1 cup? Google was even to vague. I'm excited to try this!

    Reply
  11. Sandi says

    October 06, 2019 at 3:52 pm

    Added more Bourbon lol
    Ate half of it before I cooked the steak
    LOVED THIS
    A KEEPER

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Kaleigh says

      October 08, 2019 at 4:47 am

      Hi Sandi, I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe!

      Reply

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