As you step into your kitchen, let the warmth of delicious aroma wrap around you like a cozy blanket. The sizzle of thick-cut bacon and the sweet scent of caramelized onions fill the air, weaving anticipation into every corner of your space. Picture those vibrant green Brussels sprouts, glistening with olive oil and ready to transform into an irresistible dish. When you serve these Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts, you’re not just presenting a side dish; you’re sharing a piece of your heart and history. Between their crispy edges and the rich, sweet, smoky jam, each bite transports you back to family gatherings, where laughter and good food ruled the day.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts

Perhaps it’s the cool breeze of fall or a festive gathering that inspires you to whip up this delightful recipe. Whatever the occasion, these sprouts embody warmth and joy, making them a perfect addition to any table. So gather your ingredients and let’s create a dish that not just excites the taste buds but brings smiles all around. Ready to dive in?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Just 15 minutes of prep and 35 minutes of cooking time means you’ll have an impressive dish ready without a fuss!
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of crispy bacon, sweet brown sugar, and tangy apple cider vinegar creates a harmonious flavor explosion.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The glistening, caramelized Brussels sprouts topped with a rich bacon jam make for a striking presentation.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for holiday feasts, weeknight dinners, or even as game-day snacks.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adaptable for gluten-free diets, just swap the bacon for a vegetarian option like smoked tempeh.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Brussels Sprouts (1 ½ pounds): Choose medium-sized sprouts for even roasting; look for firm, vibrant greens. You can substitute with cauliflower florets if desired.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (2 tablespoons): This oil gives a rich flavor and is perfect for roasting. You could use melted coconut oil for a different twist.
Kosher Salt (1 teaspoon): Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the other flavors. Feel free to use sea salt if you prefer.
Black Pepper (¼ teaspoon): Freshly ground adds a bit of kick; adjust to your taste.
Thick-Cut Bacon (1 pound, diced): It provides a smoky, savory base for the jam. Turkey bacon works as a leaner substitute.
Yellow Onions (2 large): Finely chopped, they caramelize beautifully, adding sweetness to the jam.
Shallots (2 large or 6 small, diced): Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor compared to onions. In a pinch, red onions can be used for a bolder taste.
Garlic (2 teaspoons, minced): Fresh garlic packs a bunch of flavor. You can use garlic powder in a pinch but adjust the amount.
Light Brown Sugar (½ cup, packed): This sweetens the bacon jam; you can use coconut sugar for a lower glycemic option.
Maple Syrup (¼ cup): Adds depth and complexity to the sweet flavors. Honey can work as a substitute.
Apple Cider Vinegar (⅓ cup): This ingredient balances the sweetness and provides tang. White wine vinegar can be a suitable alternative.
Chili Powder (1 teaspoon, optional): Adds a hint of spice; leave it out if you prefer a milder flavor.

How to Make Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts

Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 450°F. While the oven warms, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Place the cleaned and halved Brussels sprouts onto the sheet, ensuring they’re in a single layer for even roasting. This is crucial for achieving that delightful crispy texture!

Toss with Seasoning: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper to create a simple but flavorful dressing. Drizzle this mixture over the Brussels sprouts, tossing them well to ensure every piece is coated. Once they’re evenly seasoned, spread them out, cut side down, for maximum caramelization.

Roast Until Golden: Pop those sprouts into the oven and roast for 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on them until they turn tender and golden brown with crispy edges. When you pull them out, the lovely roasted smell will be simply irresistible!

Cook the Bacon: While the sprouts are roasting, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the diced bacon. Cook until crispy, which should take about 8-10 minutes. The bacon will release some luscious fat—so don’t toss that! Prepare a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease later.

Caramelize the Onions and Shallots: Transfer the cooked bacon onto your prepared plate, but leave about 4 tablespoons of the delicious bacon grease in the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then add the finely chopped onions and diced shallots. Cook these slowly, stirring often, for about 15-20 minutes until they caramelize and develop a rich, golden color.

Add the Goodness: Mix in minced garlic, brown sugar, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and chili powder (if you’re feeling adventurous). Stir the mixture well until combined and let it simmer gently over low heat for about 5 minutes until the jam thickens and the flavors meld beautifully.

Combine & Serve: Now, add your beautifully roasted Brussels sprouts into the skillet with the bacon jam. Gently toss to ensure each sprout is coated in that glorious concoction. Let them cook together for an additional 2 minutes, just to warm everything through and allow the flavors to mingle before serving warm. Enjoy those **Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts** straight from the skillet!

Storing & Reheating

Once you’ve experienced the joy of these Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts, you might find yourself wanting leftovers! To store, let them cool completely before placing them into an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay fresh for about 3-4 days. If you wish to enjoy them later, these Brussels sprouts can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Just freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to savor the flavors again, reheat them in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, usually around 15-20 minutes. Do keep in mind that the texture may change slightly after freezing, but a quick toss in a hot pan can help refresh their crispiness!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Be careful not to overcrowd the baking sheet; giving the Brussels sprouts room to roast ensures they get crispy!
If the bacon jam feels too thick, a splash of apple cider vinegar can loosen it up while enhancing the flavor.
For extra kicks of flavor, consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce during the jam-making process.
Don’t skip the caramelizing step with the onions and shallots; it’s what enhances the sweet, savory profile of the dish.
These sprouts can be prepped ahead; roast them earlier in the day and warm them with the bacon jam right before serving!

Bringing together savory and sweet in the most delightful way, these Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts will not only highlight your meal but also introduce a flavor adventure your friends and family will love. Embrace the chance to experiment with the ingredients and make this dish your own. Each batch can become a new favorite! Enjoy every last bite.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts in advance?

Absolutely! Both the Brussels sprouts and bacon jam can be prepared ahead of time. Just roast the Brussels sprouts and prepare the jam, then store them separately in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat them together for a quick, delightful side dish.

What if I don’t have thick-cut bacon?

No worries! While thick-cut bacon provides more texture and flavor, regular bacon can work just as well. Just be mindful to adjust the cooking time since thinner bacon may become crispy much quicker than the thick variety.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, you can easily convert this into a vegetarian delight! Swap the bacon for smoked tempeh or a plant-based bacon alternative. Just remember to adjust the cooking times, as these options may vary in texture and moisture.

How can I store leftovers?

Let any leftovers cool down and then place them in an airtight container. They’ll be good in the fridge for about 3-4 days. For longer storage, consider freezing; just remember to thaw and reheat gently to maintain their texture!

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Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts

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Author: Dorothy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Side Dish
Method: Roasting
Cuisine: American

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Description

Enjoy the irresistible flavors of Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts, featuring crispy bacon, sweet brown sugar, and tangy apple cider vinegar. This dish is a quick and simple favorite, perfect for any dinner gathering or holiday feast.

Ingredients

Brussels Sprouts (1 ½ pounds)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (2 tablespoons)
Kosher Salt (1 teaspoon)
Black Pepper (¼ teaspoon)
Thick-Cut Bacon (1 pound, diced)
Yellow Onions (2 large)
Shallots (2 large or 6 small, diced)
Garlic (2 teaspoons, minced)
Light Brown Sugar (½ cup, packed)
Maple Syrup (¼ cup)
Apple Cider Vinegar (⅓ cup)
Chili Powder (1 teaspoon, optional)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place cleaned and halved Brussels sprouts on the sheet in a single layer.
Whisk together olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper; drizzle over sprouts and toss to coat.
Roast Brussels sprouts for 20-25 minutes until tender and golden brown.
In a skillet, cook diced bacon over medium heat until crispy; reserve grease and transfer bacon to a plate.
In the same skillet, add chopped onions and shallots, cooking slowly until caramelized (15-20 minutes).
Mix in garlic, brown sugar, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and optional chili powder; simmer for about 5 minutes.
Toss roasted Brussels sprouts in the skillet with the bacon jam and cook together for an additional 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

Ensure Brussels sprouts are not overcrowded on the baking sheet for maximum crispiness.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days; can be frozen up to 3 months.
Feel free to substitute the bacon with smoked tempeh for a vegetarian option.