Brussels sprouts get a bad rap for being smelly and mushy, but when you cook it right, it's absolutely delicious! Oven-roasted brussels sprouts will give you perfectly browned, crispy on the outside but soft on the inside sprouts! And when you pair them with smoky bacon, sweet and tart dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans? Mm mm mmm.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Cranberries, and Pecans
I feel like most people who dislike brussels sprouts were first served boiled or steamed sprouts. I mean, can you blame them for never wanting to eat them again?
To get the most flavor I think you have to roast them until they're crispy and toss them with other flavorful ingredients like bacon, cranberries, and pecans! Bacon provides salt, fat, and umami, the cranberries add a tart sweetness, and the pecans add a nutty crunch, making this well balanced both in flavor and texture!
Are brussels sprouts healthy?
Absolutely! Brussels sprouts are nutritious and especially high in fiber, vitamin K and vitamin C! They're also low in calories and carbohydrates, making them a great addition to a rich holiday dinner that often leaves you feeling heavy.
Why do brussels sprouts cause gas?
Brussels sprouts contain cellulose which is difficult for our bodies to digest, as well as raffinose which can't be digested, so our digestive system moves most of the sprouts to the large intestine and colon. When our bodies have to work extra hard trying to digest food, it results in us getting gassy. And smelly.
If you're worried about having gas after a holiday meal, either avoid the brussels sprouts, or make sure you send your guests home soon after dinner!
How to make roasted brussels sprouts
Wash the brussels sprouts and pat them dry. Cut them in half and toss them with olive oil and salt. Spread onto a baking sheet along with the chopped bacon. Bake it in a preheated oven for 20-30 minutes at 450°F/230°C.
Take it out of the oven and add the dried cranberries and toasted pecans, and toss.
That's it! It's ridiculously easy, as the oven's doing most of the work, so you can focus on the other dishes for the big Thanksgiving dinner!
If you want to try a different take on roasted brussels sprouts, try this recipe for brussels sprouts on skewers.
More Thanksgiving dishes and desserts!
- Apple Pie with Oat Pecan Streusel
- Vegan & Gluten-free Pumpkin Pie
- Vegan & Gluten-free Rice Stuffing
- Lazy Girl's Vegan Pumpkin Soup
- Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Vanilla Frosting (Lifestyle of a Foodie)
- Blueberry Sour Cream Pie (In Fine Taste)
- Cranberry Ginger Punch (Wonder & Charm)
- Pumpkin Crunch (Keeping It Relle)
- Maple Butter Bread Rolls (The Not So Creative Cook)
- Thai Style Sweet Potato Balls (Cooking with Nart)
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Cranberries, and Pecans
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs / 680g brussels sprouts
- 3 tablespoons / 37.5g olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup chopped bacon
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup toasted pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F/230°C.
- Wash the brussels sprouts and pat them dry. Cut them in half and toss them with olive oil and salt. Spread onto a baking sheet along with the chopped bacon. Bake it in the oven for 20-30 minutes until browned to your liking.
- Take it out of the oven and add the dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and toss.
Alyssa & Marissa says
These look so easy! Looks like we are going to be adding a new side dish to the menu this year.
Ai says
Thanks so much ladies! Hope you love it!
chahinez @lifestyleofafoodie says
Your photos keep getting better and better and this dish is seriously making me drool!
Ai says
Thanks so much Chahinez! Means so much coming from you!
Nart at Cooking with Nart says
Looks so delicious! I love brussels sprouts and you can never go wrong with bacon!
Ai says
Thanks Nart! Right? Bacon just adds so much flavor!
Alyssa says
I love roasted brussels sprouts! But the addition of cranberries, bacon, and pecans sounds AH-MAZING!
Ai says
Thank you Alyssa!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook says
Your brussels sprouts look perfectly cooked. I love how beautiful your photos are and this is making me feel hungry. Yum!
Ai says
Thank you so much Jhuls!
Relle says
Adding all the extra yummy goodness to the Brussels sprouts should get my kids more interested in veggies. Thanks for sharing.
Ai says
Thanks Relle! Hope your kids love it as much as my son loves this 🙂