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Brussels sprouts… the dreaded vegetable of childhood! However, cooked the right way, these can become a favorite for both kids and adults. Seriously, I have kids that get excited when they find out roasted Brussels sprouts are for dinner!
They are also a great addition to a Thanksgiving or holiday menu or a perfect side for chicken or fish. It all comes together with only 15 minutes of hands-on time and only one baking sheet. So if you’re at the store or farmer’s market and see Brussels sprouts on sale (or if you grow them), grab them and give this recipe a try!
Delicious Brussels Sprouts Even Kids Will Eat!
My kids call brussels sprouts mini cabbages. I’d never noticed before they mentioned it, but they really do look like mini cabbages, which makes them more fun and appealing to kids.
It’s also really cool to see how they grow. I’ve found that growing and then cooking their own vegetables makes kids more willing to try them.
The secret to these Brussels sprouts? The addition of bacon! It doesn’t take much bacon to give a nice savory, salty crunch to complement the slightly bitter notes of green vegetables.
We also actually like drizzling Brussels sprouts with a little raw honey for a sweet and salty mix!
Roasting Brussels Sprouts
This recipe was inspired by a restaurant I once visited. I didn’t think I liked the texture or flavor of this particular veggie. But everything was served family-style so I tried. I was absolutely blown away by how good they were! Something magical happens when you roast vegetables.
I often let the kids help by chopping each sprout in halves or quarters. I keep one of these crinkle cutters on hand for each child so they can help without cutting their fingers. It’s also a great kid-friendly tool so they can help with chopping carrots and celery for snacks or parsnips, zucchini, etc. for soups.
After they’re chopped, toss them on a sheet pan with some sliced onion and diced bacon, sprinkle them with seasonings, give it all a good mix, and stick it in the oven. Just ignore it and let it do its thing while you work on the rest of dinner.
Don’t think you are a Brussels sprouts person? You’ve probably just never had them prepared well. Try these… they might change your mind!
Update: I’ve always roasted vegetables in the oven, but recently I got an air fryer and it works phenomenally for roasting vegetables. It takes less time, doesn’t heat up the whole house, and makes them nice and crispy. If you want to try them that way, cook them at 375°F for 15 minutes.
Roasted Brussel Sprouts Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 4 slices bacon
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 2 tsp balsamic vinegar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Wash and dry the Brussels sprouts.
- Slice each Brussels sprout in half.
- Place them on a large baking sheet.
- Slice the onion and add it to the baking sheet.
- Cut bacon into ½ inch pieces and add it to the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder and toss to mix.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven
- Roast for 25-30 minutes or until the Brussels sprouts are starting to brown and the bacon is cooked.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the Brussels sprouts in the last 5-10 minutes of cooking to let it caramelize.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Do you like brussels sprouts? Ever tried ’em like this? Share below!
What Are Nootropics? My Take on Natural Brain-Boosting Supplements
Brussell Sprouts are a very unhealthy food, just like broccoli. Read Russell Eaton’s book, “Don’t Eat Your Broccoli.” Brussell Sprouts, like broccoli, contain raffenase and phtates and harmful lectins — all anti-nutrients.
“Great recipe, that’s what I was looking for!
I wonder, are you the author of this recipe? If not, where did you read it?
The fact is that I want to collect for my students a selection of the best vegetarian recipes, and you have on the site a lot of similar methods.”
All of the recipes on Wellness Mama are my own creations…
I didn’t use bacon and it still turned out great! My kids even ate them, finally a way to get kiddos to eat veggies hahah. thanks for sharing!
Can I use frozen brussel sprouts?
Recipe looks delicious, can’t wait to try it. Please clarify. Is this cooked on a baking sheet or in a pan? Both are mentioned in recipe. Didn’t think bacon would get crisp if cooked in a pan w/brussels sprouts.
Thx
Jean
Sorry about the confusion… you will use just a baking sheet.
Could you also add honey?
Yes 🙂
I have tried Brussels sprouts before, but I never liked them until now. This recipe is delicious. I tossed everything in olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting them and they turned out great. I made extra so I can reheat them in the oven for lunch the next day. Thanks!
I made these the other night and my super picky husband LOVED them! he even called his mom to tell her he likes brussel sprouts now.
Yay! I love it!