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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    January 18, 2021 · Updated August 29, 2023

    Bacon Braised Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction

    5 from 8 votes
    16 Comments

    · by Amanda Gajdosik

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. This blog generates income via ads.

    A pin for sharing the recipe for bacon braised brussels sprouts

    These bacon braised Brussels sprouts are the end-all, be-all of delicious vegetable side dishes! If you’re not sure how to prepare Brussels sprouts or think you’re not a fan – give this recipe a try! You’ll be sure to fall in love after just one bite!

    A shallow Dutch oven is filled with shaved bacon braised Brussels sprouts drizzled with balsamic reduction.

    Shaved sprouts are perfectly cooked and paired with crispy bacon, caramelized red onion, and tart cranberries. A drizzle of sweet balsamic reduction creates the perfect balance and ties the whole dish together!

    I have been making these sprouts for years. Years! They’re one of my favorite side dishes of all time. Of all time! Especially during the holidays. It’s become a tradition that I bring them to every Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas lunch with my family.

    I'm also obsessed with making my garlic sautéed green beans, honey glazed roasted carrots, and mashed acorn squash during the holidays!

    A shallow Dutch oven is filled with shaved bacon braised Brussels sprouts drizzeled with balsamic reduction.

    Don’t be surprised when the same thing happens to you after you make these delicious bacon braised brussels sprouts to impress your family and friends! Here’s what you’ll need:

    Ingredients for this recipe

    • Fresh Brussels Sprouts
    • Bacon
    • Red Onion
    • Dried Cranberries
    • Balsamic Vinegar
    • Sugar
    All of the ingredients for bacon braised Brussels sprouts are laid out on a baking tray in various glass bowls.

    If desired, you can sub store-bought balsamic glaze for the balsamic vinegar and sugar and cut out one step of prep! Otherwise, read on to see how to perfectly cook fresh Brussels sprouts!

    Cooking Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

    This is just a brief overview, find full instructions in the recipe card below!

    1. Shave the Brussels sprouts. Either with a very sharp knife, a mandolin, or using the slicing blade attachment in your food processor.
    2. Cook the bacon. Until nice and crispy. Remove from pan but leave all those delicious drippings!
    3. Make the balsamic reduction. While the bacon cooks. Check out this post for an in-depth explanation on how it’s done!
    4. Sauté the red onion. In the bacon fat! Do this on low and slow heat so the onions get all sweet and tender.
    5. Add the shaved sprouts. In two batches. They shrink down as they cook so start with half and then add more.
    6. Stir in the bacon and cranberries. As soon as the Brussels are tender.
    7. Drizzle with balsamic. For the perfect finish!
    Shave the Brussels sprouts.
    Cook the bacon until crispy.
    Sauté the red onion in the bacon fat.
    Add the Brussels sprouts in two batches.
    Add the cranberries and bacon pieces.
    Drizzle with balsamic reduction before serving.

    What to serve with Brussels Sprouts?

    Now that you have the perfect side dish, you’ll need the perfect main course to serve them with! I love to serve the sprouts with our favorite beer braised pot roast. Grilled backstrap is also an excellent pairing! Of course, you can never go wrong with pork chops and sprouts!

    An off-white plate filled with bacon braised Brussels sprouts with balsamic reduction and cranberries. They are served alongside a bone-in pork chop.

    You may also like:

    • Pan Roasted Vegetables
    • Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
    • Creamed Kale
    • Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots
    A white banner with black lettering and stars asking readers to leave a recipe rating or comment.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 8 votes

    Bacon Braised Brussels Sprouts

    These bacon braised Brussels sprouts are the end-all, be-all of delicious vegetable side dishes! If you’re not sure how to prepare Brussels sprouts or think you’re not a fan – give this recipe a try! You’ll be sure to fall in love after just one bite!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time25 minutes mins
    Total Time35 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Bacon Braised Brussels Sprouts, Brussels Sprouts, Side Dish, Vegetables, Vegetarian
    Servings: 16 servings
    Calories: 303kcal
    Author: Amanda Gajdosik
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Shallow Dutch Oven
    • Small Saucepan
    • Whisk

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound bacon diced
    • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • 2 pounds Brussels sprouts sliced thin
    • 1 large red onion sliced thin
    • ½ cup dried cranberries chopped
    • Kosher salt to taste

    Instructions

    • Place a large, shallow Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon remove to paper towel-lined plate to drain. Keep drippings in the pan.
    • While bacon cooks, combine the balsamic vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan. Place over medium-low heat. Cook, swirling pan occasionally, until mixture is reduced by half and syrupy. This will take about 8 minutes. Remove from heat, reduction will thicken as it cools.
    • Reduce heat to medium-low and add red onion, stirring to coat. Sprinkle with salt. Cook until tender and caramelized, about 10 minutes. Add half of the sliced Brussels sprouts, stirring to coat and cook until they begin to shrink. Add the remaining sprouts and sprinkle with salt. Stir to coat and cook until sprouts are tender, about 5 minutes.
    • Stir in cranberries and cooked bacon. Drizzle with balsamic reduction before serving.

    Notes

    • When shaving the Brussels sprouts, be sure to trim off the stalk ends and discard before using.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 303kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 59mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 428IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Comments

      5 from 8 votes (5 ratings without comment)

      Leave a rating and review! Cancel reply

      Did you love the recipe? Let me know! And let others know too by leaving a comment and star rating. Reviews are so useful in helping other people find my site and make my recipes. Your support means the world to me!

      Amanda

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Steph says

      April 14, 2022 at 9:02 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is INCREDIBLE!!! Made this to serve with pork chops and it was perfect. You think you know what bacon and brussels tastes like but Amanda's version is next level. Absolutely life changing!

      Reply
      • Amanda Gajdosik says

        April 14, 2022 at 10:00 pm

        Yes! Love to hear that, thank you Steph! We serve this dish with pork a lot - a perfect pairing. Happy eating 🙂

        Reply
    2. Chelsea says

      September 10, 2021 at 1:28 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is so good!!! The perfect combination of sweet and salty. It’s joining the regular rotation!!!

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        September 10, 2021 at 1:29 pm

        Love to hear that, Chelsea! It's one of our favorites too!

        Reply
    3. Ellie says

      May 23, 2021 at 11:06 pm

      5 stars
      SO FREAKING GOOD. Seriously can’t get over how much I love this recipe. It will be a staple in my house from now on!

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        May 24, 2021 at 1:46 pm

        I am so thrilled to hear that, Ellie! Thanks for making my recipe <3

        Reply
    4. Jack says

      March 29, 2021 at 12:43 am

      Soooo good, makes a big batch and thank goodness because I want to eat this all week!!

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        March 29, 2021 at 5:43 pm

        So happy to hear that Jack! Thanks for making my recipes 🙂

        Reply
    5. Colleen says

      March 07, 2017 at 5:29 pm

      I would totally eat brussels sprouts if they were made like this!

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        March 07, 2017 at 7:06 pm

        Give it a try! It's such a simple dish! You'll love them!

        Reply
    6. houstonphotojourney says

      March 07, 2017 at 2:39 pm

      I thought it was brussel sprouts too - learned something new today - thanks! Looks sooooo yummy!!!

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        March 07, 2017 at 7:06 pm

        Right?! That's how everyone says it!

        Reply

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