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)
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
- 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
- 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.
- Trim the woody ends from the brussels sprouts and cut them in half. Mince the shallot and garlic.
- 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.
- Add the brown sugar, bacon pieces and bourbon and give it a stir.
- 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!
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!
PrintCrispy Bourbon Brown Sugar Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
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)
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- Turn the oven broiler on.
- Add brussels sprouts, shallot and garlic to the skillet. Sautee on medium heat until brussels sprouts are bright green, about 10 minutes.
- Add salt, bourbon, brown sugar, and bacon. Stir to coat, then transfer skillet to the oven.
- Broil 10 minutes, or until brussels sprouts are crispy. Watch carefully so that they do not burn.
- 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
Marleth says
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!
Kaleigh says
Yes, a baking sheet is ideal if your skillet doesn't have a lot of room!
Amber B says
I now am “commanded” to make this delicious recipe every Thanksgiving! It’s so good!!!!
Kaleigh says
I love it!
Michelle W says
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?
Kaleigh says
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.
Val says
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.
★★★★★
Carmen Gutierrez says
I make them once a month! So yummy!!
★★★★★
Kaleigh says
Awesome! Thanks for your review!
Rebecca says
Hi! If what would be a good substitute if we didn’t want to use bourbon? Thanks!
Kaleigh says
You can either leave it out or add a splash of balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a little extra flavor. Enjoy!
Wanda Church says
Hi or low broiler ? I have a gas stove
Kaleigh says
I usually use high!
Tasha says
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! 😀
★★★★★
Kaleigh says
So glad you loved them! 🙂
Rosie says
I also added more bourbon, tasted amazing EVERYone loves this
★★★★★
Kaleigh says
Amazing! We love it too! Thanks for the review.
Faye Lore says
How many brussels sprouts are in 1 cup? Google was even to vague. I'm excited to try this!
Sandi says
Added more Bourbon lol
Ate half of it before I cooked the steak
LOVED THIS
A KEEPER
★★★★★
Kaleigh says
Hi Sandi, I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe!