Caramelized Bourbon Brussels and Crispy Bacon

Bourbon Bacon Brussels Sprouts: The Ultimate Side Dish

This recipe for Brussels sprouts with bacon and a glorious Bourbon glaze isn’t just easy to prepare; it boasts a superb flavor that truly sets it apart. I believe everyone deserves a fantastic Brussels sprouts recipe in their repertoire, and this one, much like my Brussels sprouts with orange glaze, quickly became one of my all-time **favorites**. The combination of crispy baked Brussels sprouts, salty bacon, and the rich, sweet, and slightly boozy Bourbon glaze creates a truly memorable dish perfect for entertaining. While I enjoy these so much I could easily have them every week, they truly shine as a show-stopping side dish for special occasions like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any elegant dinner party. Rest assured, this recipe has been thoroughly tested to ensure it’s absolutely foolproof, guaranteeing delicious results every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Explosion of Flavors: The perfect balance of savory bacon, sweet brown sugar, a hint of spicy cayenne, and the distinct warmth of Bourbon creates a complex and deeply satisfying taste.
• Textural Perfection: You get the best of both worlds with tender-crisp Brussels sprouts, crunchy bacon bits, and the added delightful bite of toasted pecans.
• Effortlessly Elegant: Despite its gourmet appeal, this dish is surprisingly simple to make, making it ideal for busy holidays or weeknight dinners.
• Versatile Side: It pairs beautifully with a wide range of main courses, from roasted meats to grilled chicken or fish, and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Key Ingredients for this Irresistible Recipe

Crafting these crunchy, Bourbon-glazed Brussels sprouts with bacon and pecans requires a few simple yet impactful ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the incredible flavor profile and texture of this side dish. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Brussels Sprouts: These small, cabbage-like vegetables are the star of our dish. For the best flavor and texture, always choose fresh, firm, and bright green sprouts. Vegetables are always most delicious when in season, so this makes a wonderful winter recipe. Look for uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
2. Unsalted Butter: Butter forms the rich base of our Bourbon glaze. We opt for unsalted butter because this recipe also contains salty bacon and sea salt. This allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish, ensuring a perfect balance.
3. Brown Sugar, Cayenne Pepper, and Sea Salt: This trio creates the quintessential flavor balance for our Bourbon glaze. Brown sugar provides deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps create that desirable sticky texture. A touch of cayenne pepper adds a subtle, warming heat that beautifully complements the sweetness and savory notes without making the dish overly spicy. Sea salt enhances all the flavors, bringing everything into harmony.
4. Bourbon: The namesake of our glaze! Bourbon adds a unique warmth, depth, and a slightly smoky, caramel-like note that is simply unmatched. For the most robust flavor, use a good quality malt Bourbon. Don’t worry about the alcohol content; it cooks off during the glazing process, leaving only its delicious essence.
5. Bacon: Crispy, salty bacon is the perfect counterpart to the sweet Bourbon glaze. Its rich, savory flavor and delightful crunch provide a fantastic contrast to the tender Brussels sprouts, elevating the entire dish. Feel free to use your favorite cut of bacon – thick-cut works wonderfully.
6. Pecans: With their distinct buttery and nutty flavor, toasted pecans add an essential layer of texture and taste that truly finishes this recipe. They provide a delightful crunch and a subtle richness that ties all the flavors together. (And yes, I truly forgot to include them in this picture, but don’t you forget them in your recipe! 😉)

How to Prepare Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon (and that Amazing Glaze!)

This recipe is surprisingly straightforward, delivering incredible flavor with minimal fuss. A detailed, easy-to-print recipe card can be found at the bottom of this blog post. Follow these steps for perfect results:

Step 1: Clean and Prepare the Brussels Sprouts. Start by taking each Brussels sprout and carefully slicing off the very bottom stem. Then, remove any loose or discolored outer leaves. If you encounter any brown spots, gently trim them away. For larger sprouts, you might want to halve them to ensure even cooking and a consistent bite. Repeat this process for all the sprouts, then place them in a colander and give them a thorough rinse under cold water. Proper cleaning ensures the best flavor and texture.

Step 2: Cook the Brussels Sprouts to Tender-Crisp Perfection. Bring a medium-sized pot with approximately 2 inches (about 5 cm) of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, carefully add the cleaned Brussels sprouts. Cook them for exactly 5 minutes. This quick par-boil softens them slightly while still retaining a bit of bite. Immediately drain them thoroughly in a colander to prevent them from becoming soggy. Set them aside for a moment.

Step 3: Prepare the Luscious Bourbon Glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, Bourbon, cayenne pepper, and sea salt. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously as the ingredients melt and combine, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Continue to cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved and the glaze has thickened slightly to a syrupy consistency. Turn off the heat and set the glaze aside; it will be ready to coat our delicious sprouts.

Step 4: Combine and Finish with a Flavorful Simmer. Heat a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon strips and cook for about 3 minutes, or until they start to crisp up and render some of their fat. There’s no need to add extra oil as the bacon will release its own. Next, add the par-cooked Brussels sprouts to the pan with the bacon. Increase the heat slightly and stir-fry for another 2 minutes, allowing the sprouts to get some lovely char and crispiness. Finally, pour the prepared Bourbon glaze over the bacon and Brussels sprouts. Stir everything gently to ensure an even coating. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the sprouts to fully absorb the incredible flavors of the glaze. Just before serving, sprinkle the toasted pecans generously on top. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips for Achieving Perfectly Crispy Brussels Sprouts

While this recipe is designed to be easy, a few tricks can elevate your Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts from good to absolutely phenomenal:

• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When stir-frying the Brussels sprouts with bacon, ensure your pan isn’t too full. Overcrowding will steam the sprouts instead of allowing them to crisp up. Cook in batches if necessary.
• High Heat for Browning: After par-boiling, a quick stir-fry on high heat is crucial for developing that desirable crispy exterior on the sprouts. Don’t be afraid to let them get a little color.
• Even Sizing: Try to use Brussels sprouts that are roughly the same size. If you have some significantly larger ones, cut them in half or quarters so they cook evenly with the smaller ones.
• Freshness is Key: Always start with fresh, firm Brussels sprouts. Limp or yellowing sprouts won’t achieve the same crispness or vibrant flavor.
• Malt Bourbon for Depth: The recipe specifically calls for malt Bourbon. While any Bourbon will work, malt varieties tend to have a richer, smoother flavor that really shines in the glaze.
• Toast the Pecans: If your pecans aren’t pre-toasted, a quick toast in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding them will enhance their nutty flavor significantly.

Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing for several delicious tweaks:

• Nutty Alternatives: Not a fan of pecans? Walnuts, slivered almonds, or even toasted pine nuts make excellent substitutes, each adding its own unique flavor and crunch.
• Spice It Up: For those who love a bit more heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the glaze.
• Non-Alcoholic Option: If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can easily substitute the Bourbon with apple juice or even a good quality balsamic vinegar for a different, yet equally delicious, flavor profile. The glaze will still be wonderfully sweet and tangy.
• Herbaceous Touch: A sprinkle of fresh thyme or rosemary added during the final simmer with the glaze can add an extra layer of aromatic complexity.
• Sweetness Adjustment: Feel free to adjust the brown sugar to your taste. If your Brussels sprouts are naturally sweeter, you might need less, or if you prefer a more intense glaze, a bit more can be added.

Perfect Serving Suggestions

These Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Bacon are a star on their own, but they truly elevate any meal. They are an absolute showstopper for holiday feasts like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, pairing beautifully with roasted turkey, ham, or prime rib. Beyond the holidays, they make a fantastic side for a Sunday roast chicken, grilled pork chops, or even a simple pan-seared steak. Their sweet and savory profile also complements other vegetable dishes, creating a vibrant and varied spread.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

While these Brussels sprouts are best enjoyed immediately for maximum crispness, you can prepare them slightly ahead of time. Unfortunately, these Brussels sprouts don’t store particularly well as leftovers if you want to maintain their crispy texture. They tend to soften once refrigerated. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to eat all your veggies fresh out of the pan! (But with this delicious recipe, that certainly won’t be a problem! 😉)

If you’re looking to minimize last-minute prep, you can clean and par-boil the Brussels sprouts a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also pre-cook and crumble the bacon, storing it separately. Prepare the Bourbon glaze up to 2-3 days ahead and keep it in an airtight jar in the fridge. When it’s time to serve, simply reheat the glaze, fry the sprouts and bacon, combine, and simmer.

Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.

Need more inspiration?

• You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
• And don’t forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!

Andréa

Ingredients

Instructions

• The cleaning of the Brussels sprouts will take the most of the preparation time. To save time and make this recipe even easier, you can often buy them already pre-cleaned and sometimes even pre-halved at your grocery store.
• The crucial step for crispy Brussels sprouts is to stir-fry them for 2 minutes on high heat after par-boiling and before adding the Bourbon glaze. This allows them to develop a delicious caramelized crust.

2. Bourbon: When you cook the Bourbon glaze, the alcohol will evaporate, leaving behind only the rich, distinctive flavor. If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, you can successfully substitute the Bourbon with an equal amount of apple juice or even a high-quality balsamic vinegar for a different but equally delicious sweet-and-sour profile.

3. Storage and Reheating: These Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts are truly best enjoyed fresh off the stove to preserve their crispy texture and vibrant flavors. Leftovers tend to lose their crispness upon refrigeration and reheating. If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to try and regain some crispness, but be mindful they won’t be as firm as when freshly made.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen Brussels sprouts?

While fresh Brussels sprouts are always recommended for the best texture and flavor, you can use frozen ones in a pinch. Thaw them completely and pat them very dry before proceeding with the recipe. Keep in mind they might not get quite as crispy as fresh sprouts.

What if I don’t have Bourbon?

No problem! The alcohol in Bourbon cooks off, leaving primarily its unique flavor. You can substitute Bourbon with an equal amount of apple juice for a similar sweet and tangy profile, or use a high-quality balsamic vinegar for a slightly different, more complex acidity.

How do I make the bacon extra crispy?

To ensure extra crispy bacon, cook it on its own first until it reaches your desired level of crispness. Remove it from the pan, crumble it, and add it back at the very end when serving. This also allows you to control the bacon fat, draining some if preferred, before adding the sprouts.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time for a party?

For the best results, this dish is ideally served immediately. However, you can do some prep work in advance. Clean and par-boil the Brussels sprouts and make the Bourbon glaze up to a day or two ahead, storing them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply cook the bacon, stir-fry the sprouts, and combine everything with the glaze.

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