Description
Savory brussels sprouts with bacon, pecans, and cranberries combine festive holiday flavors in a hearty side dish. Crisp sprouts roasted with smoky bacon and sweet cranberries create a delightful plate you’ll want to share at gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (500 g) brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- ⅓ cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Trim Brussels sprouts and slice in half, ensuring uniform size for even cooking and perfect caramelization.
- Bacon Rendering: Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, remove and crumble while preserving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Sprout Sautéing: Utilize bacon drippings to sauté Brussels sprouts, adding minimal olive oil if necessary, rotating to achieve a golden-brown exterior and tender core, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Flavor Integration: Introduce roasted pecans and dried cranberries into the caramelized sprouts, gently folding to blend flavors and heat ingredients thoroughly.
- Seasoning and Finishing: Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the natural sweetness of sprouts and complement the smoky bacon undertones.
- Presentation: Transfer the culinary creation to a serving platter, garnishing with reserved bacon crumbles to create a visually stunning and flavor-packed dish.
Notes
- Precision Cutting: Ensure Brussels sprouts are halved uniformly to guarantee even cooking and perfect caramelization, preventing some pieces from burning while others remain undercooked.
- Fat Management: Use reserved bacon fat for sautéing to intensify flavor; add minimal olive oil only if needed to prevent sticking and enhance the dish’s rich, smoky profile.
- Heat Control: Maintain medium heat during cooking to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning, allowing Brussels sprouts to develop a crispy texture while remaining tender inside.
- Flavor Balancing: Layer ingredients strategically—bacon crumbles, roasted pecans, and cranberries—to create a harmonious blend of smoky, sweet, and nutty elements that complement the sprouts’ natural earthiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg