Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
These Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts are made on the stove and ready in about 15 minutes! An easy and delicious side dish.
Don’t want to fire up your oven? This sautéed brussels sprouts recipe is a super simple side dish that pairs crispy bacon, crispy sautéed brussels sprouts and a hint of maple syrup. I like this easy recipe for weeknight dinner AND holiday feasts.

Brussels sprouts are at their best when they’re just a bit crispy. We avoid overcooked sprouts in this recipe by quickly sautéing thinly sliced sprouts in bacon drippings, giving you a tender sprout with crispy edges! Using smaller pieces gives the sprouts an opportunity to crisp up without burning.
How to Prepare Your Brussels Sprouts
You’ll want to trim your brussels sprouts by completely removing the stem end, then peeling off the outer leaves. Once you do this, you can shave the brussels sprouts into thin pieces using a chef knife or a mandolin slicer.
Check out my other Brussels Sprouts recipes on this site! Raw Brussels Sprouts Salad | Roasted Brussel Sprouts | Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
I like to think of a brussels sprout as a tiny cabbage. Typically, when I describe them as mini cabbages, a lightbulb clicks for people. Why? Because, most of us know how to use cabbage!
If you have a (literal) bad taste in your mouth from the boiled, soggy, sulfuric brussels sprouts of your past, I promise that just a little bit of care in your cooking technique will change your mind on them!
Much of the flavor from this sautéed brussel sprouts recipe comes from the bacon grease, so it’s important to use good quality bacon! I typically to to find center cut bacon at the grocery store.
You can also use thick cut bacon, but you may need to add a few minutes to the bacon’s cook time.
Additions and Substitutions
Like most recipes, there are a ton of ways to modify this recipe to your tastes, and what’s in your pantry! Here are a few things I’ve tried:
- Add sliced almonds when you return the brussels sprouts to the pan for a nutty flavor
- I used pork bacon, but you can absolutely substitute diced pancetta or turkey bacon for the bacon
- Add herb sprigs for the last minute of sautéing to add fragrance and flavor! I think rosemary or thyme are the best fresh herbs for these sauteed brussel sprouts
- Substitute honey or brown sugar for sweet flavor instead of maple syrup
- Add a splash of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice along with the maple syrup. This will add a bit of acid and a TON of flavor.
- Add chopped shallots or sweet onion along with the bacon.
- Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard along with the maple syrup.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve these skillet bacon Brussel sprouts as the perfect side dish for pork chops, chicken breast, sous vide filet mignon or bangers and mash with onion gravy.
They are also wonderful with roast turkey. It’s a great side dish recipe for a small Thanksgiving gathering! Or use this dish (or the leftovers) as a topping for a roasted sweet potato. It’s a whole meal!
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Reheat on a sheet pan in the oven, or in the skillet on the stove for the best consistency.
Easy Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
These Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts are made on the stove and ready in about 15 minutes! An easy and delicious side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound brussels sprout, trimmed and washed, outer leaves removed, stem end discarded
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 pieces of bacon, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the trimmed brussels sprouts by carefully cutting them into fine shreds using a knife or mandolin slicer.
- To a large skillet, add oil and heat over medium-high heat.
- Add shredded sprouts to the hot oil and saute quickly, scraping the bottom of the pan to make sure none of the sprouts burn, for 2-3 minutes.
- Season the sprouts with the salt and pepper. Remove to a paper towel lined plate, and set aside.
- Using the same skillet, add the diced bacon. Cook over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes until crispy.
- Return the sprouts to the pan with the bacon, tossing well to combine with the bacon fat, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add maple syrup and remaining seasonings, toss to combine. Serve warm.
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Always loved brussel sprouts even though they were soggy. Found this recipe by accident & super glad I did as I’ve always wondered what they should be like. The bonus I didn’t count on though was that my adult son not only ate them for the first time ever but loved them as well & was quite surprised to find out that they could be good! Cheap, easy & yummy this recipe is definitely a keeper thank you much for sharing it 😁
i love brussel sprouts and I never thought to put it in a salad. I pinned it love it!
I have never combined maple syrup and bacon in one dish, Michelle! However, your dish seems so finger-licking that I have to make it as soon as possible!
Looks like a really tasty vegetable dish that kids would surely love. I will save your recipe and make this ASAP. We have to have more veggies to build up our resistance to illness this cold winter season!
Anything with bacon is a winner for me! I love how you combined two of my favorite foods – Brussels sprouts and bacon! Yum!
This looks SO good! I love all those amazing flavors!
Mixing brussel sprouts with bacon is a great idea. I think it’s a great way to encourage the kids to eat their veggies too. This looks good.
Sound like an amazing dish! I’m always looking for new salad ideas!
This sounds so good! I have never mixed Brussel sprouts with maple and bacon. Your presentation is definitely eye-catching. I am thinking the kids will like this.
My husband rolls his eyes when I break out the brussel sprouts. Something tells me if I made him maple bacon brussel sprouts, he’d jump for joy. Printing off your recipe now to give these a try with the bag I just bough from the grocers yesterday.
This maple bacon brussel sprouts salad actually looks really yummy. I would love to try it for a light treat in the middle of the day for lunch to keep me going.
I’m thinking this might be a great veggie dish for the kids. Bacon is the way to their hearts.
Adding bacon is the only way to do brussels sprouts, ha! Not a huge fan of them but these look delish!
I usually don’t like brussel sprouts. But these look so good- I’m going to have to try them again.
I love maple bacon anything! These brussels sprouts sound like they would be really delicious.
We are lucky we have not been hit yet but I am waiting. I think the greens from the sprouts is a great way to get vitamins and keep healthy before the flu comes.
Brussels sprouts are my favorite veggie. These ones sound divine!
Found your blog while looking for something to cook today—I’m home with my son who has strep. 😢 this recipe looks delicious! I do Something similar but i pit It all on a roasting pan and add walnuts. Delicious!
Oh no! I hope he feels better. Walnuts would be a great addition.