Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Parmesan & Balsamic Glaze: The Ultimate Holiday Side
Prepare to fall in love with Brussels sprouts like never before! These Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Parmesan, and Balsamic Glaze are incredibly quick and easy to make, yet they taste luxurious enough for any holiday table. If you’ve ever doubted your love for Brussels sprouts, this recipe is guaranteed to change your mind. It’s a perfect, crowd-pleasing side that’s both healthy and utterly delicious. This post contains affiliate links for products I’m obsessed with.
As we gather for special occasions, or simply enjoy a comforting meal at home, there’s always a desire for dishes that feel both comforting and a little bit special. This recipe for crispy roasted Brussels sprouts checks all those boxes. It’s a dish that brings smiles to faces, especially when people realize just how flavorful and delightful these often-misunderstood vegetables can be.
I find immense joy in sharing recipes that transform simple ingredients into something extraordinary, and this particular Brussels sprouts recipe is a testament to that. It has quickly become a beloved staple in my kitchen, and I’m so excited for you to experience its magic.
The Irresistible Allure of Crispy Shaved Brussels Sprouts
Forget everything you thought you knew about Brussels sprouts. When prepared correctly, they transform into a culinary delight. My latest obsession involves shaving them thinly, which unlocks an incredible level of crispiness that roasting achieves. Imagine Brussels sprouts in a savory, chip-like form – that’s what we’re aiming for, and it’s utterly addictive!
Why Shave Your Brussels Sprouts?
- Unmatched Crispiness: Shaving the sprouts exposes more surface area to the heat, allowing them to get wonderfully crispy and slightly charred, almost like kale chips. This texture is a game-changer for those who find whole roasted sprouts too soft.
- Faster Cooking Time: Thinly sliced Brussels sprouts cook much faster than whole ones, making this an ideal last-minute side dish for busy weeknights or holiday meal prep.
- Enhanced Flavor Absorption: The smaller, thinner pieces better absorb the delicious flavors of olive oil, salt, bacon, and later, the Parmesan and balsamic glaze.
How to Shave Brussels Sprouts Effortlessly
The easiest way to achieve perfectly shaved Brussels sprouts is with a food processor equipped with a slicing blade. It takes mere minutes to process a large batch, turning what could be a tedious task into a quick one. Simply trim the ends of the sprouts, feed them through the chute, and let the machine do the work. If you don’t have a food processor, a mandoline slicer can also work wonders, or you can carefully slice them by hand with a sharp knife, aiming for thin, uniform pieces.
Creative Uses for Leftover Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Don’t let any leftovers go to waste! These crispy sprouts are fantastic warmed up. I often make a large batch and use them for breakfast the next day. A quick sauté in a pan to regain their crispiness, topped with a couple of fried or poached eggs, creates a surprisingly satisfying and healthy morning meal. They’re also great added to salads, wraps, or as a crunchy topping for grain bowls.
Crafting the Perfect Roast: Bacon, Olive Oil & Seasoning
The foundation of this incredible dish lies in proper roasting. We combine the shaved Brussels sprouts with diced turkey bacon, a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil, and a sprinkle of sea salt. Roasting the bacon alongside the sprouts allows their flavors to meld beautifully, creating a savory depth that complements the slight bitterness of the sprouts.
Tips for Achieving Maximum Crispiness:
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: This is crucial! For truly crispy Brussels sprouts, they need space to breathe. Divide the sprouts and bacon between two baking sheets lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are spread in a single, even layer. Overcrowding will steam them instead of roasting them, resulting in a softer texture.
- High Heat is Key: Roasting at 400°F (200°C) provides the intense heat needed for quick caramelization and browning, leading to that irresistible crispiness.
- Watch Carefully: Cooking times can vary slightly depending on your oven and how thinly your sprouts are shaved. Start checking around the 15-minute mark. You want them golden brown and crispy, but not burnt. A little char is good; black is not.
- Turkey Bacon vs. Pork Bacon: While this recipe uses turkey bacon for a lighter option, feel free to substitute with regular diced bacon if preferred. You could even crisp the bacon separately first for an extra crunchy texture, but roasting it with the sprouts works wonderfully to infuse flavor.
Elevating Flavors: Parmesan and Balsamic Glaze
Once your Brussels sprouts are perfectly crispy and golden from the oven, they are delicious on their own. But to take them to a truly gourmet level, we add two simple yet impactful finishing touches: shaved Parmesan cheese and a sweet, tangy balsamic reduction. These additions elevate the dish, making it worthy of any special occasion.
The Role of Parmesan
The addition of shaved Parmesan cheese provides a nutty, salty, umami flavor that perfectly complements the roasted sprouts and savory bacon. I typically use a Parmesan blend for convenience, but freshly shaved or grated Parmesan will also work beautifully. For a dairy-free option, you can omit the cheese or use a plant-based Parmesan substitute.
The Simple Elegance of Balsamic Reduction
A homemade balsamic reduction is surprisingly easy to make and adds a touch of gourmet sophistication. Simply simmer balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan until it thickens and reduces by half. This process concentrates its natural sugars, creating a sweet, syrupy glaze that balances the savory and slightly bitter notes of the dish. The deep, rich color and tangy-sweet flavor of the balsamic glaze are simply divine drizzled over the finished sprouts. Trust me, it’s worth the extra step!
The combination of crispy texture, smoky bacon, salty Parmesan, and sweet balsamic glaze creates a flavor explosion that is truly hard to resist. I often find myself portioning this out just to make sure I don’t eat the entire bowl in one sitting – it’s that good!
A Dish for Everyone: Converting Brussels Sprout Skeptics
One of the greatest triumphs of this recipe is its ability to convert even the most staunch Brussels sprout haters. My husband, who has historically been hesitant when it comes to these little green spheres, absolutely loves this dish. The crispy texture, combined with the irresistible flavors of bacon, Parmesan, and balsamic, completely masks any preconceived notions about Brussels sprouts being bland or bitter.
This makes it the perfect addition to any family meal or holiday gathering, especially when you have guests who might be a bit wary of vegetables. You might just find yourself fielding requests for the recipe!
Your Go-To Holiday Side Dish (and Everyday Favorite!)
Whether you’re planning your Thanksgiving feast, a Christmas dinner, or simply looking for an easy and delicious vegetable side for a weeknight meal, these crispy Brussels sprouts are a fantastic choice. They’re quick enough for casual dining but elegant enough for special occasions.
I genuinely hope you give this recipe a try for your next meal. If you do, please let me know how it turns out! Your feedback truly makes my day. From my kitchen to yours, I wish you joyful cooking and delicious meals, not just during the holidays, but all year round. May your home be filled with laughter and happiness, and your table with incredible food!
More Festive & Healthy Side Dish Ideas:
40+ Gluten Free Thanksgiving Recipes
Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole [21 Day Fix | Gluten-free | Dairy-free | Paleo]
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes [Dairy Free]
Healthy Pumpkin Pie [Gluten-free | Dairy-free | 21 Day Fix]
21 Day Fix Butternut Squash Soup {Instant Pot/Crock Pot/Stove Top}
Maple Cider Holiday Salad [21 Day Fix | 2B Mindset]
Warm Honey Roasted Butternut Squash Salad (21 Day Fix)
21 Day Fix and 2B Mindset Thanksgiving Recipes
Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Parmesan, and Balsamic
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz whole Brussels Sprouts or sub the pre-shredded ones
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese I used a Parmesan blend
- 4 slices turkey bacon diced up small
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash and dry your Brussels sprouts thoroughly. Using the slicing blade of your food processor, shred your Brussels Sprouts.
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Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and divide bacon bites equally on each pan.
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Divide shredded Brussels sprouts onto the two pans, laying them as flat as possible in a single layer.
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Drizzle each pan with 1 1/2 T of olive oil and 1/4 tsp of sea salt.
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Roast for 15 minutes and then keep watch until you achieve desired crispiness. It took me 17 minutes :).
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Remove sprouts from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
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Heat balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes until reduced by half.
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Top Brussels sprouts with Parmesan cheese and drizzle with the Balsamic reduction.
Notes
WW link for personal points: Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Nutrition