Balsamic Bacon Brussel Sprouts
These Balsamic Bacon Brussel Sprouts are crispy and loaded with flavor. The combination of sweet and salty from the bacon and the balsamic is absolutely delicious. This is going to become your new favorite side dish!
We had such a nice, long winter break. Jack and Will both had 2 weeks off of school and Matt took the time off as well. It’s not often that you can spend 2 whole weeks together as a family! Now, don’t get me wrong, we had our moments (we do have a 3 and 6 year old after all), but we were able to spend time with family and friends, thoroughly enjoy Christmas and New Years and just have good, quality time together!
People often talk about love languages (if you aren’t familiar with this term it just describes 5 different ways that you can express love; if you want to learn more about the different love languages, check out this article that explains them). While everyone’s love language is different, I strongly believe that all children’s primary love language is quality time.
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Sometimes, it can be difficult to forget about the laundry and the dishes and to put away the phone and just be present. But, man, do I ever see a difference with our kids when we spend a good chunk of quality time together. So, that’s what our break consisted of – quality time together (with a few meltdowns scattered in the mix)!
Now, we are back to our routine and it feels strange. There is something about not having a routine that feels just as odd as it does when you start your routine back up (really philosophical, I know)! Jack reluctantly went back to school (“Please Mom, I just want ONE more day at home!”).
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When I reminded him that he could play football at recess with his buddies, he was all in! Will was NOT a fan of Matt going back to work (and neither was Matt – Will is just more outspoken about it)!!
It’s been a little quiet around here with the winter break, but I am back up and running and ready to share lots of new recipes with you! First up is Bacon Balsamic Brussel Sprouts. These are literally my favorite vegetable side dish (and that is coming from someone who used to absolutely hate brussel sprouts).
The Difficulty with Brussel Sprouts
I think the main reason I used to dislike them so much was that I only ever ate them steamed or boiled. And, yuck, they turn into a mushy mess with kind of a gross flavor. But, have no fear, because these brussel sprouts are the exact opposite of that – crispy and packed with flavor!
How to Cook Balsamic Bacon Brussel Sprouts
You broil them for the last 2 minutes so the outer part of the brussel sprouts get caramelized (from the brown sugar) and crispy. Yum, just typing that makes me want to go eat some right now.
I will make these a side dish for just about anything but they are also fancy enough that you can serve them as a side at a holiday dinner or party. These are a staple at our Christmas dinner and keep getting requested year after year.
Balsamic Bacon Brussel Sprouts Ingredients
- brussel sprouts
- bacon
- balsamic reduction
- balsamic vinegar
- brown sugar
- salt and pepper
So, go ahead, change your opinion on tiny little cabbages by making this recipe!
Tips for Involving Kids
- Let your kids help you cut the brussel sprouts, or peel off the dead leaves. This part always takes a long time, so any help you can get will be awesome!
- Have your kids drizzle the balsamic reduction on the brussel sprouts.
- Make sure to have fun cooking with your kids!
Balsamic Bacon Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients
- 2 lbs brussel sprouts quartered
- ¾ lb bacon diced
- 3 Tbsp balsamic reduction
- ½ Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Dice the bacon and bake until crispy.¾ lb bacon
- When the bacon is crispy, remove it from the oven and put it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess grease.
- Place the brussel sprouts on the pan and toss them in a small amount of the bacon grease on the pan.2 lbs brussel sprouts
- Drizzle the brussel sprouts with balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper and mix to combine.½ Tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 Tbsp brown sugar, salt and pepper
- Flip all of the brussel sprouts so that they are cut side down in a single layer.
- Bake for roughly 20 minutes.
- Once the brussel sprouts are mostly cooked, put the bacon back on the sheet and drizzle everything with the balsamic reduction.3 Tbsp balsamic reduction
- Broil on low for 2 minutes.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
