There isn’t much that I love more than Brussels sprouts. Ok, that may be exaggerating, but only a little. These adorable little veggies have gotten quite the PR treatment in recent years, shooting from America’s most hated vegetable to veggie darling of the foodie community. I always knew that Brussels sprouts resembled baby cabbages, but it wasn’t until recently that I learned that they are actually related (I always figured it was a corn/baby corn type scenario). As part of the brassica family, Brussels sprouts are also kin to broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, and turnip. “Ooooohhhh,” replied my husband when I read him the Wikipedia entry. You see, a light had just gone off: these are all his favorite foods.
If you have yet to succumb to the Brussels sprouts revolution, then I urge you to give them one last go with this recipe. Once again I’m standing on my roasting soapbox to tell you that the oven does magical things to these and every vegetable. Now, add some bacon and red onion in there and we’ve really upped the ante, even for so-called haters. I truly believe that if you think you don’t like Brussels sprouts then you just haven’t had them the right way. This way.
As a bonus, this is a naturally gluten free side dish. Those who are vegetarian and/or keep kosher can easily omit the bacon in this recipe. I’ve made it that way numerous times and it’s also delicious. For those living in Israel, Brussels sprouts can be hard to come by. The past few months they’ve been readily available frozen in 800 gram bags at most major supermarkets. Having never used frozen Brussels sprouts before, I was pleasantly surprised by their quality. Recently the Eden Teva in Be’er Sheva has had fresh Brussels sprouts available as well.
- 1½ pounds Brussels sprouts, halved (and defrosted if frozen)
- 3 slices bacon, roughly chopped
- 1 large red onion, peeled and cut into thick slices
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Toss the Brussels sprouts, bacon, onion, and olive oil together and season with salt.
- Lay flat on a baking sheet and roast, 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Shake pan halfway through to flip Brussels sprouts.
I’m always trying new Brussels Sprouts recipe because I really love them. I will try this recipe for sure. I think I heard before that if the veggies became frozen when they are fresh, the quality of frozen veggies can be better than fresh (but older) ones. Have a great week!
I’ve heard that as well about frozen vegetables Nami! I have definitely found that to be true in some cases.
Bacon just makes everything better. Brussel sprouts and bacon do pair perfectly. I’ll try it with red onions next time. Thanks for sharing.
It’s so true!! Thanks 🙂
When I was young I developed a hatred for brussels sprouts because they were always boiled and turned out mushy and grey. Now there are a plethora of beautiful recipes out there that have made me grow to love them. I think this recipe is going to get a work out in my house!
I honestly don’t think my father ever once made Brussels sprouts when we were growing up, but that’s definitely the image that always came to mind as a child! I hope you enjoy this version 🙂
I must be unusual because I have always loved Brussel Sprouts and that was when the only way to cook them was to boil or steam them. They are so much more delicious these days when they’re cooked the way you’ve cooked them. I think they’re a great vegetable xx
That’s wonderful that you always loved brussels sprouts – you were way ahead of your time! Now they are one of my favorite veggies.
I like/tolerate Burssels Sprouts with bacon, but only with bacon, somehow bacon carries this humble veggie forward…never added onion…since I love onions, must try this 🙂
Haha it’s so true – it’s all about the bacon! And the onions are great in this as well.
If only I could get Emanuel to eat Brussels sprouts! Hmm maybe if I tell them there is bacon in them. These look super yummy. Save some for me next tim!!
Yes! I think roasting them with bacon is a sure way to get Emanuel to at least try them 😉
I ADORE brussels sprouts. I love the just plain roasted but the red onions are definitely a nice addition!
Me too! I love them roasted plain, stir fried, however. But yes, this was particularly nice 🙂
Oh these look divine and being so easy (plus the roasting i too roast just about everything when the oven is on) I should be able to give these a go.. thank you katherine.. c
Thanks Cecilia! I also love to roast just about everything.
One of my favourite vegetables! Roasted is the best…Theresa
We are totally on the same page Theresa 🙂
I am learning to enjoy brussel sprouts, right now with some sweet dressing.
Ooh sweet dressing sounds like a great way to enjoy brussels sprouts
I could seriously eat brussels sprouts all day long! Especially when they have bacon in them! Roasted is my absolute fav – simple and delicious. When my boyfriend first had them about 6 years ago he called them shrunken lettuce heads lol! Yummy recipe!!
Me too!!! Shrunken lettuce heads! That’s too funny. Thanks Lacy!
I just hopped on the roasted brussels sprouts band wagon recently and cannot stop eating them. Seriously. I think my hubs is a little sick of them…but me? Never! Great recipe with the onions and bacon!
I know! Once you start, you can’t stop! Thanks Maggie 🙂
This looks fantastic – I’ve only recently discovered Brussel Sprouts for myself, and roasting is definitely the way to make me like them 🙂 Very nice recipe!
Thanks Kiri!!
I was never part of the “hate” Brussels Sprouts crowd – and I’m glad – because these babies are SO SO good for you! These look amazing =)
Ha good for you! You were way ahead of your time Peggy 😉
Roasting is the best way to go with brussel sprouts, in fact, I will not eat them any other way. Love the addition of the bacon and onion in there-yum!
Roasting is my favorite method as well Tina! Although I’ve actually gotten into pan-roasting/stir-frying them as well.
i’ve just recently learned that i do indeed like brussels sprouts – but only when roasted! this sounds like an awesome recipe, i love the addition of red onion and bacon, genius!
Yay! Welcome to the club 🙂 Thanks!
I am a fan of Brussels sprouts. Yours looks so good!
Thanks Angie!!
Brussels sprouts…. Yumm….
I really love them and these look fantastic….
Beautiful Recipe.
Thanks Reem!!!
OMG!!! Me too….brussels sprouts are my all time favorite vegetable! I always laugh when people look mortified by this statement but it is true. They are delish and good for you too! This recipe looks absolutely fabulous and will be part of dinner tonight. Thanks for sharing!
Hahaha I’m glad to find someone as enthusiastic as me!! Thanks so much Becky, I hope you enjoy!!
Brussels sprouts get such a bad rap because there’s a whole generation of parents who cooked them by boiling them until limp. Which is a serious disservice to any vegetable. Or any other kind of food, really. If they’d been cooking bacon like brussels sprouts, America would hate bacon.
It’s so true!! Haha you make an amazing point Mikey.
oh wow! I never thought to make brussels sprouts like this- looks great!
It’s the best!! I hope you try 🙂
Bacon makes everything better. Even so, I could eat this even without it, as I love Brussels sprouts.
So true Carolyn!! Me too. I love Brussels sprouts even without the bacon 🙂
Love brussel sprouts – especially with bacon! We made some great brussel sprouts the other day that used little cubes of pecorino which gave it a great flavor, that would probably be great with some bacon added in like this!
Me too! Oooh pecorino also makes everything better.
i’ve always been a lover of these mini cabbages.
That’s awesome Roxana 🙂
I do love the brassica family! I always have to make a double batch of sprouts when I roast them since we start snatching them off the baking sheet almost immediately. Lovely photo!
It’s the best! Thanks Hannah 🙂
I have had brussels once in a while…I am not a fan though. I guess roasting is one method that really does wonders to certain veggies. Your creation does look tempting though 🙂
Ooh you really must try them roasted! Just try them once more and if you don’t like them roasted, then maybe you really don’t like them 😉
You made something well hated by others looks so fancy! Though not my favourite once in a while I love brussel sprouts specially with bacon
Haha thank you Raymund!!
Roasting may be the best way to cook most veggies. And Brussels sprouts are particularly nice – in fact I often make them with bacon! You can do the same recipe by pan-roasting, but that’s more trouble because you have to stir things more often (and sometimes the sprouts lose their outer leaves). Roasting is definitely the way to go – good recipe.
It really is! I also enjoy pan-roasting but there’s something wonderful about being able to throw them in the oven.
That is THE best way to eat brussel sprouts in my opinion!
Me too!!!!
This looks fantastic. I made caramelized brussels sprouts with our dinner tonight. I’m already wishing I had more in the house to cook tomorrow. From not liking them as a child, to truly looking them now. Your recipe here is one of my favorite methods.
Ooooh caramelized brussels sprouts?! Yum yum yum. Now you have me wanting them all over again!
YUMMERS!! I love b sprouts, roasted. It’s just delicious caramelized that way 🙂
Me too! Thanks Kiran 🙂
I haven’t made brussels sprouts in far too long because I never know how to make them- thanks for the great idea!
I loved brussels when I was little… Then I found a critter inside one 🙁 Didnt eat one for years!! I braved it & tried them again about 10 years ago & have loved them ever since!! Thanku for the recipe!
Wondering if the bacon cooked with the Brussel sprouts are too oily?
But will surely cook this recipe.
Great question Tommie! I have never found that to be the case – it’s a small amount of bacon for all those Brussels sprouts and the fat nicely coats them and gives them good flavor without making them oily or even remotely greasy (but it could depend on how fatty the bacon is?). Hope you enjoy!
I was looking for an easy recipe for making Brussel sprouts that only called for 1 or 2 steps and one that I did not have to pamper or fuss over after work… I found it! This recipe was simple and tasty! After tossing into the oven, in this world of multitasking, I was able to empty the dishwasher and fold laundry….My family LOVED it. Thank you for sharing.
So so happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed the recipe Jocelyn!! Thanks so much for reporting back – it really made my day! 😀
i was SO hoping someone else would have asked this already :))) but! is the bacon cooked or not when you put it in the oven?
thanks!!
Great question – nope, it’s uncooked. It gets nice and crispy along with the Brussels sprouts and gives the whole dish flavor as it cooks.
thanks so much for your reply! i felt pretty sure that was the case, so i added it in uncooked. they turned out great. my husband loved them! i used frozen {thawed & tried to dry them well} and they were a little too mushy for me. i know i would like them if they had been fresh. i will try again with fresh ones. great recipe, thanks!
Glad your husband enjoyed them! Yes, sometimes the frozen Brussels sprouts turn out a little mushy – as much as you dry them they’re just a little waterlogged. They’re good enough if fresh isn’t available, but fresh is always best! 🙂
Was searching for an oven roasted version that didn’t require work on the stove top first. Put it into google and yours came up first. We tried it and add mushrooms. We roasted it at 425 because that’s where the oven already was, for 25 minutes. These were AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS!!! My husband and I have NEVER had brussel sprouts and this was the first recipe we ever tried! They were AMAZING!! We are already planning our next meal with brussel sprouts and are looking into adding more veggies!!! Thanks so much for the great recipe! Will be looking at your blog for other delicious recipes!!