Sheet Pan Brussels Sprouts + Bacon
Crispy Brussels sprouts that taste sweet and roasted, plus bacon for crunch. One pan, no bitterness.
Timing note: 30 mins
Sheet Pan Brussels Sprouts + Bacon
Crispy Brussels sprouts that taste sweet and roasted, plus bacon for crunch. One pan, no bitterness.
Timing note: 30 mins
The Key Move
Roast cut-side down at 450F--browning is what makes Brussels sprouts sweet.
Leagues
Take This Recipe Into Leagues
Find an active challenge, vote, or challenge the current king.
The Setup
- Sheet Panhalf sheet
The Mise en Place
5Your prep station before cooking begins
My sprouts taste bitter.
Ah, that usually means they didn't get quite enough browning.
My bacon isn't getting crispy.
If your bacon isn't crisping up, it might be that the pieces are a little too large, or the pan is too crowded.
Chef's Notes
Refrigerate up to 4 days. Re-crisp in a hot oven or air fryer.
The Method
PREHEAT
Heat oven to 450F (232C). Line a sheet pan.
High heat is what browns sprouts fast enough to avoid bitterness. • Oven fully preheated
ARRANGE
Toss sprouts with pepper and a small pinch of salt. Scatter bacon (6 slices) on the pan and place sprouts cut-side down among the bacon.
Cut-side contact is the caramelization zone. • Flat cut sides touching the pan
Sprouts mostly cut-side down; bacon spread out
ROAST
Roast 18 minutes, stir, then roast 6-8 minutes more until bacon (6 slices) is crisp and sprouts are deeply browned.
Browning is sweetness—don't pull them pale. • Dark caramelized spots on cut sides • Smoky roasted aroma
Deep browning on sprouts; bacon crisp
FINISH
Squeeze lemon over the pan and toss. Taste and adjust salt.
Acid at the end keeps bacon-roast dishes from tasting heavy. • Light sheen without pooling • Lemon lifts bacon aroma
Balanced: smoky, roasted, bright
Related Techniques
Master These Next
Sheet Pan Sausage + Peppers + Onions
One pan, real browning: sausage, peppers, and onions roasted hot so it tastes like dinner, not steamed vegetables.
Hoppin' John Fried Rice
Black-eyed peas meet fried rice, and it makes ridiculous sense.
Dirty Rice Stuffed Peppers
Dirty rice, and the pepper becomes the bowl.