Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts
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Get ready to turn Brussels sprouts into the star of the dinner table with this easy Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts recipe! Caramelized to perfection on the stovetop, these crispy, flavorful sprouts are coated in a sweet and savory bacon jam that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight side or an impressive dish for a holiday dinner, this recipe is so delicious and easy to make in 20 minutes!
Why you’ll love these brussels sprouts
I recently saw bacon jam brussels sprouts on a restaurant menu in Washington DC. I immediately knew that I had to come home and recreate the recipe with my homemade bacon jam.
This bacon jam is incredible. Honestly probably one of my favorite things I’ve ever made! It’s sweet, salty, spoon-licking good. But with that being said, if you don’t have time to make the bacon jam, you can still make this recipe with store-bought bacon jam and it will still be delicious. Because honestly anytime bacon jam is involved, you know it’s going to be good!
You’re going to love this recipe, and here’s why:
- Sweet & Savory Flavor Explosion: the combination of caramelized Brussels sprouts with rich, smoky bacon jam creates a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savory that’s irresistibly delicious.
- Easy Stovetop Cooking: this recipe comes together in just 20 minutes on the stovetop, making it a simple side dish for weeknights or a show-stopping addition to holiday meals.
- Elevates a Classic Veggie: even picky eaters will fall in love with Brussels sprouts when they’re coated in bacon jam, making this dish a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Here I explain the best ingredients for this brussels sprout recipe and give substitutions. For the exact ingredient measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Olive oil
- Brussels sprouts – the larger brussels sprouts will be more bitter than the smaller ones. I recommend trying to find “medium-sized” brussels for this recipe. They won’t be too bitter and they’ll caramelize perfectly on the stovetop.
- Salt and pepper
- Bacon jam – make my homemade bacon jam recipe up to a week ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Or pick up a jar of bacon jam at your local grocery store, Walmart, Target, or online.
Instructions
I’ve included step by step photos below to make this recipe super easy to follow at home. For the full detailed recipe instructions, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. (I’ve tested this recipe in a cast iron skillet and Caraway non-stick pan. It works well in both, with the Caraway skillet being much easier to clean at the end.) Once the oil is hot, add brussels sprouts, cut side down to the skillet. Let them cook and caramelize without touching the sprouts for 6-8 minutes.
- After 6-8 minutes, season the sprouts with salt and pepper. Give them a stir and continue cooking for another 6-8 minutes.
- Add bacon jam to the skillet with the brussels sprouts.
- Stir everything together and continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes. Serve the hot brussels sprouts immediately for the best taste and texture.
What to serve them with
I love serving these brussels sprouts during the week with a simple air fryer steak, bacon wrapped meatloaf, or chipotle apple pork loin.
When I’m looking to make an impressive meal for Thanksgiving, holidays, or a special occasion, I pair the brussels sprouts with one of these popular main dishes.
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Jam
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup bacon jam, click link for the recipe
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet on the stove over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the brussels sprouts, cut side down, to the skillet.
- Let the Brussels sprouts cook and caramelize without touching them for 6-8 minutes.
- Sprinkle the salt and pepper over the Brussels sprouts, then give them a stir and continue cooking them on the stove for an additional 6-8 minutes.
- Add the bacon jam to the skillet, toss the Brussels sprouts in the jam and continue cooking on the stove for an additional 3-5 minutes. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This is not a side dish that I would recommend making ahead of time. The Brussels sprouts are best when they’re warm, crispy and fresh out of the skillet! That’s why I recommend making this side dish right before you plan to serve it.
- I recommend using fresh Brussels sprouts to make this recipe whenever possible. The texture will be better when using fresh over frozen Brussels sprouts.
- This recipe serves 4 as a side dish, but can easily be altered to serve 8, or more! Simply hover over the 2X button above. The ingredients will automatically update to double the recipe. If doubling the recipe, you’ll either want to use two large cast-iron skillets or one large cast-iron griddle. This way, you can make sure all of the Brussels sprouts are cooked, cut side down, in a single layer in the skillet without overlapping.
Nutrition Facts
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