Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts: Your Irresistible Sweet, Savory, and Crispy Holiday Side Dish

Prepare to fall in love with Brussels sprouts all over again! These Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts are an absolute game-changer, offering a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and irresistible crispiness. They’re an ideal addition to your Thanksgiving menu or any festive holiday gathering, especially since more than half of the preparation can be done ahead of time, easing your holiday stress.

Looking to round out your holiday feast? Don’t forget to serve our equally delightful Creamy Mushroom Mascarpone Soup for a truly memorable meal!

Why These Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts Will Be Your New Holiday Favorite

The holiday season is a time for feasting, joy, and impressing your loved ones with delicious food. While main courses often steal the spotlight, a truly exceptional side dish can make a lasting impression. These maple bacon Brussels sprouts are precisely that – an easy vegetable side dish that consistently receives rave reviews and becomes a memorable part of any holiday spread.

Let’s be honest, holiday vegetable sides can be notoriously hit or miss. We’ve all encountered those soggy, bland offerings that get politely pushed around the plate. I vividly recall an aunt who annually brought a green bean casserole – a dish my mother insisted we sample, but which none of us ever truly ate, preferring to simply pick off the fried onions.

This recipe breaks that cycle. You won’t find any mushy, unappetizing sprouts here. Instead, you’ll discover a delightful combination of textures and flavors: tender yet crisp Brussels sprouts, perfectly cooked salty bacon, and sweet, crunchy candied pecans, all beautifully coated in a luscious maple glaze. It’s a truly delicious way to ensure everyone, even the most veggie-averse, enjoys their greens on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, or any special occasion.

Beyond their incredible taste, the practicality of these roasted Brussels sprouts makes them a holiday kitchen hero. You can make the candied pecans ahead of time, often days in advance. The bacon can be chopped the day before, saving precious time on the main cooking day. This leaves you with just the simple task of baking the Brussels sprouts, a process that can be perfectly timed to happen while your turkey is resting. This make-ahead friendly approach significantly reduces last-minute stress, allowing you more time to enjoy the festivities. For another fantastic make-ahead option, try our Italian Green Bean Salad!

Ingredients: Notes and Smart Substitutions for the Perfect Dish

• Brussels Sprouts: Choose fresh, firm, and bright green sprouts. Avoid any with yellowing leaves or soft spots. Halving them allows for more surface area to crisp up beautifully.
• Pecans: These add a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor. To save time, you can certainly buy premade candied pecans, making your holiday preparation even easier! For an extra layer of flavor, consider our unique Bourbon Candied Pecans.
• Bacon: For the best results, we highly recommend using thick-cut bacon. Its robust texture stands up well to roasting and won’t get lost among the Brussels sprouts and pecans, ensuring a satisfyingly meaty and salty bite in every forkful.
• Maple Syrup: This is a crucial ingredient for the signature sweet glaze. Please, avoid artificial pancake syrups! Always use real maple syrup for its authentic, rich flavor that truly elevates this dish.
• Olive Oil, Salt & Pepper: These are the foundation for roasting, helping the Brussels sprouts crisp up and develop deep flavor. A good quality extra virgin olive oil works best.
• Butter, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Vanilla & Water: These components create the luscious candied coating for the pecans. The water helps dissolve the sugar, allowing it to caramelize evenly.

*Please see the full recipe card below for precise measurements and detailed instructions on all ingredients.

Crafting Perfection: How to Make Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Achieving these irresistible Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts is simpler than you might think. Follow these straightforward steps to create a show-stopping side dish that will disappear quickly from your holiday table.

First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s piping hot and ready for roasting.

The Sweet Crunch: How to Make Candied Pecans

These homemade candied pecans are truly special and add an incredible dimension to our Brussels sprouts. They’re surprisingly simple to make, and their sweet, buttery crunch is absolutely addictive.

This irresistible Brussels sprouts recipe isn’t just for Thanksgiving dinner; it’s a versatile holiday dish that works perfectly throughout the Fall and Winter seasons, or simply as a delicious way to encourage the family to eat their vegetables in a way that truly tastes amazing. Sometimes, getting kids—or even adults—to enjoy their veggies can be a challenge. We’ve found that creative approaches, like adding savory bacon or rich parmesan (much like our popular Garlic Parmesan Green Beans), significantly increase a dish’s appeal and help turn even the most hesitant eaters into veggie enthusiasts. These Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts are a testament to that philosophy, transforming a humble vegetable into a culinary delight.

Pro-Tips for Perfect Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

1. Bacon Choice Matters: The quality and cut of bacon are absolutely key to achieving the best results for these maple bacon Brussels sprouts. Always try to use thick-cut bacon if you can. It renders beautifully, becoming incredibly crispy without disappearing into the dish, and its robust flavor stands up wonderfully to the sweetness of the maple and pecans. Don’t hesitate to ask your butcher at the supermarket for a thicker cut. Remember to chop the bacon into small pieces and spread it out evenly around the Brussels sprouts on the baking sheet to ensure every piece gets gloriously crispy.
2. Crunchy Candied Pecans are Non-Negotiable: After you’ve candied the pecans on the stovetop, the crucial step for achieving that signature crunchy texture (and preventing them from being chewy) is to roast them briefly in the oven. This quick 5-minute roast helps to remove any excess moisture that might still be lingering from the caramelization process, resulting in a perfectly crisp, shatteringly delicious pecan.
3. Don’t Crowd the Pan: For both your Brussels sprouts and bacon, avoid overcrowding the baking sheet. If the pan is too full, the ingredients will steam instead of roast, leading to softer, less caramelized results. Use two baking sheets if necessary to give everything enough space to crisp up.
4. Real Maple Syrup is a Must: As mentioned in the ingredients, opting for pure, real maple syrup over artificial substitutes will make a significant difference in the flavor profile. The subtle complexities of real maple syrup perfectly complement the savory bacon and earthy sprouts.

Preparation Prowess: Cooking Pecans Ahead of Time

One of the best features of this recipe, especially for busy holiday cooks, is the ability to prepare the candied pecans well in advance. These delightful pecans can be made prior to your main cooking day. Once cooled completely, you can store them at room temperature in an air-tight container for up to a week, and they will still retain their sweet, delicious flavor and satisfying crunch.

For even longer storage, they can stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. Trust us when we say, it’s a wise idea to make extra! These candied pecans are incredibly addictive, and you might find yourself (and your family) quickly snacking on them while the Brussels sprouts are roasting. Leftover candied pecans are also fantastic as a topping for salads, oatmeal, yogurt, or even as a standalone snack.

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts FAQs

Year-Round Versatility: What to Make with Brussels Sprouts Beyond Thanksgiving

While these Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts shine brightest during the holidays, Brussels sprouts are a wonderfully versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Here are some fantastic pairings for when it’s not Thanksgiving:

• Looking for some chicken dishes to perfectly complement these sprouts? Try them alongside our Crispy Italian Chicken Cutlets, Restaurant-Style Chicken Marsala, PERFECT Cast Iron Chicken Breast, Chicken Bacon Ranch Skillet, or Cast Iron Lemon Chicken Orzo.
• These Brussels sprouts also make an excellent side for various seafood dishes. Consider serving them with Lemon Garlic Broiled Flounder, Pistachio Crusted Fish, Cast Iron Lemon Dill Salmon, or Pan-Seared Vermillion Snapper for a balanced and flavorful meal.

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Vincent DelGiudice