Imagine a side dish that transforms the humble Brussels sprout from a boring vegetable into a culinary masterpiece that will have everyone at your table begging for seconds. This isn't just another vegetable recipe - it's a symphony of crispy, sweet, savory, and crunchy flavors that will revolutionize the way you think about Brussels sprouts. With the irresistible combination of crispy bacon, caramelized sprouts, tart cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, this dish is about to become your new go-to recipe for impressing dinner guests and satisfying your most discerning food cravings.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 apple, cored and diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Wash Brussels sprouts thoroughly under cold water. Trim the stem ends and slice each sprout in half lengthwise, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
- In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp and golden brown, approximately 5-6 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, reserving the bacon fat in the pan.
- Add halved Brussels sprouts to the bacon fat, turning them to coat evenly. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Transfer Brussels sprouts to the prepared baking sheet, arranging them cut-side down in a single layer to ensure maximum caramelization.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, until Brussels sprouts are crispy and golden brown with slightly charred edges.
- While Brussels sprouts are roasting, dice the apple into small, uniform cubes and roughly chop the walnuts.
- Remove Brussels sprouts from the oven and transfer to a large serving bowl. Immediately add the crispy bacon pieces, diced apple, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts.
- Gently toss all ingredients together, allowing the warm Brussels sprouts to slightly warm the apples and release their flavors.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately while warm for the best texture and flavor.
Tips
- Always buy fresh Brussels sprouts and choose ones that are firm and bright green with tight, compact leaves.
- Cut Brussels sprouts in uniform sizes to ensure even roasting and caramelization.
- Use high heat (425°F) to achieve those perfect crispy, golden-brown edges.
- Arrange sprouts cut-side down on the baking sheet to maximize caramelization.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet - give your sprouts space to roast, not steam.
- Reserve some bacon fat for extra flavor, but drain excess to prevent sogginess.
- Add dried cranberries and apples after roasting to preserve their texture and fresh flavor.
- Serve immediately while the sprouts are still warm and crispy for the best eating experience.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 9g
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 15mg
