Description
Savory brussels sprouts with bacon, pecans, and cranberries blend sweet and salty flavors into a perfect holiday side dish. Crispy bacon and toasted pecans complement tart cranberries, creating a rich, satisfying complement you’ll crave at any festive gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 500 g (1 lb) Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- ⅓ cup pecans, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a spacious skillet over medium heat until golden and rendered. Extract bacon with a slotted spoon, reserving one tablespoon of fat in the pan.
- Brussels Sprouts Caramelization: Combine olive oil with reserved bacon fat, heating over medium-high. Position Brussels sprouts cut-side down, allowing them to develop a deep caramelized crust for 5-7 minutes without movement.
- Seasoning and Roasting: Flip sprouts, season with salt and pepper, continuing cooking for an additional 5 minutes until tender yet maintaining a slight crunch.
- Pecan Toasting: Simultaneously toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and golden.
- Flavor Integration: Fold crispy bacon and cranberries into the caramelized Brussels sprouts, creating a complex flavor profile and textural harmony.
- Final Glaze: Drizzle balsamic vinegar and honey over the mixture, tossing to ensure comprehensive coating and balanced seasoning.
- Presentation: Transfer to a serving dish, crown with toasted pecans, and serve immediately while the dish remains warm and appetizing.
Notes
- Bacon Fat Magic: Save the rendered bacon fat for extra flavor depth, using just a tablespoon to enhance the Brussels sprouts’ caramelization.
- Crisp Caramelization Technique: Keep Brussels sprouts undisturbed for 5-7 minutes to develop a golden-brown crust, creating rich, nutty flavor notes.
- Nut Toasting Pro Tip: Toast pecans carefully, watching closely and stirring frequently to prevent burning and maximize their aromatic potential.
- Dietary Flexibility: Swap bacon with smoked paprika or coconut bacon for vegetarian version; use maple syrup instead of honey for vegan adaptation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg