ES

Bacon-Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Reduce your active cook time with a make-ahead Brussels sprouts side dish that everyone at the table will love. 

53 Min

prep and cook time

45

calories per serving*

Serves 16

Serves 16 people as a side.

There’s an important distinction between liking Brussels sprouts and liking Brussels sprouts made with bacon. Adding pork is a game-changer. Talk your most dubious guests into trying one bite, and you’ll have eager converts on your hands. And for those who like sprouts anyway, this dish makes them that much more loveable. This recipe, by professional cookbook author Jess Thomson, who lives with lupus, makes the perfect amount for a large gathering like Thanksgiving, but feel free to halve or quarter the recipe for a smaller group.
 
To make this recipe you will need a large, ovenproof skillet or 9-by-13-inch baking dish and a large spoon or spatula for stirring.
 
Nutritional information (per serving)*: Total Fat (1.7g); Carbohydrates (5g); Sodium (99mg); Sugar (2g); Fiber (2g); Cholesterol (3mg); Protein (3g)
 
 

Ingredients

4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced (or a 4-ounce package of diced pancetta)
2 pounds Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed, halved through the stem
2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. 

Spread bacon in a large, ovenproof skillet or 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Roast 5 minutes, just until it begins to give off its fat. 
 

Stir bacon, and then add sprouts, olive oil, salt and pepper (without stirring, so bacon stays on the bottom at first). Roast 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or until bacon is crisp and sprouts are tender and browned in spots.

To serve immediately: Add vinegar, stir to combine, and roast another 2 to 3 minutes, just until vinegar has evaporated.

 
  • Pain and fatigue can be issues when prepping and cooking a larger meal. It’s a great idea to break up prep and cooking over multiple days if needed and look for recipes that don’t require a lot of active cooking time. This Brussels sprouts recipe only takes 15 minutes of active cook time. 
  • If making ahead, let Brussels sprouts cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate overnight. To reheat, add vinegar and roast in a preheated 450-degree oven for about 10 minutes, or until sizzling.
  • If you’re serving bread with the meal, heat it while the Brussels sprouts reheat or finish cooking. This will help maximize your energy and oven use. 

*Disclaimer: All nutritional information provided is approximate and based on USDA measurements. Actual amounts may vary based on exact ingredients used, how they are prepared and serving size. 
 

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