Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Life Love Liz (2024)

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This recipe for bacon and pomegranate roasted Brussels sprouts is tangy, sweet, salty and delicious. It’s a perfect Christmas side dish!

Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Life Love Liz (1)

It is the most wonderful time of the year! The air is crisp and chilly, and everyone around you seems to be in a good mood. You can’t help but feel that sparkle in your heart when you think about all the holiday cheer ahead.

So why not add some extra excitement to this joyous season by cooking up these Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts?

They’re festive, easy-to-make, and sure to please any guest at your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table.

This recipe makes enough for a small crowd so invite over some friends and family members to enjoy this delicious dish with you!

Bacon and pomegranate roasted Brussels sprouts is a great side dish for any Christmas party. It’s festive, can be made ahead of time, and will impress your guests with the sweet-salty goodness that bacon brings to this recipe!

If you have never tried roasted brussels sprouts before, this is your chance! Give them a try because you won’t regret it!

Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Life Love Liz (2)

Contents hide

1 Tips for the Best Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

2 Roasted Brussels Sprouts Variations

3 How to Store Roasted Brussels Sprouts

4 How to Prepare Brussels Sprouts for Roasting

5 Ingredients for Making Roasted Brussels Sprouts

8.1 Ingredients

8.2 Instructions

8.3 Recommended Products

8.3.1 Nutrition Information:

8.3.2 Yield:

8.4 Did you make this recipe?

Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Life Love Liz (3)

Tips for the Best Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

  • Don’t overcrowd the pan. Spreading them out in the pan so they all get lots of face time with the skillet help them brown. You are better off working in batches to roast the brussels to avoid steaming vs roasting.
  • If you are doubling the recipe, you will probably want to oven roast the brussels sprouts. To do this toss the sprouts in 2 Tbsp of olive oil, salt and pepper, then lay out in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for about 35 minutes at 425 F degrees.
  • Make sure you get the flat sides nice and browned.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Variations

  • Add Nuts – Roasted and chopped pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts or pine nuts add a satisfying crunch to this festive side dish!
  • Omit the Bacon – Don’t like bacon? Simply don’t add it. Cook your brussels in olive oil instead of bacon fat.
  • Omit the Pomegranate – Again, if you don’t like pomegranate, leave them out!
  • Use Lemon juice – You can swap lemon juice for the balsamic vinegar.
  • Use Dried Cranberries – Swap dried cranberries in for the pomegranate seeds.
  • Add Maple Syrup – If you are looking for more sweetness and less tang, add a little maple syrup to taste.
Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Life Love Liz (4)

How to Store Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Store your roasted brussels sprouts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

For the best results when reheating, throw them back in a pan over medium-low heat with a little bit of olive oil until warmed through.

Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Life Love Liz (5)

How to Prepare Brussels Sprouts for Roasting

You will want to start by giving your Brussels sprouts a good rinse in the sink.

Next peel off any outer leaves that are shrivelled or browned, otherwise you can keep the outer leaves on the Brussels sprouts.

Then, give any stalk left on it a good trim, and slice the Brussels sprouts in half, length-wise.

Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Life Love Liz (6)

Ingredients for Making Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Bacon – You can use Pancetta in place of the bacon. You can also make the bacon in advance and store it, covered, in the fridge until ready to prepare.

Brussels Sprouts – Make sure you get these guys a good sear by getting them all some time cut side down in the pan.

Balsamic Vinegar – Adds a little acidic brightness to balance the heaviness of the bacon fat. Lemon juice would also work here.

Pomegranate juice – Helps to tie this dish together and makes an incredible glaze. You can also use cranberry juice in a pinch.

Pomegranate – Dried cranberries will also work in a pinch. A medium pomegranate will give you about 1 cup of seeds.

Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Life Love Liz (7)

Looking for More Tasty Christmas Dinner Recipes?

Check out some of my favourite recipes for serving at our family Christmas dinner!

This Cranberry Apple Acorn Squash is a wonderful side dish for any Holiday dinner. It easily compliments turkey and looks as amazing as it tastes.

Enjoy this for Thanksgiving dinner this year. This brined turkey is perfectly moist and flavoured with sage and apples – a quintessentially autumn flavour pairing.

Cranberry Fluff Salad is an easy holiday side dish perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. A luscious combination of cranberries, pineapple, whipped topping and marshmallows.

Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Life Love Liz (8)

How to Make Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Serves: 6-8 Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

4 Slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
2 lbs Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 cup Pomegranate juice
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 Pomegranate, seeded

Directions:|

In a large skillet cook the bacon until crisp over medium-low heat. Set the bacon aside.

Drain the bacon far from the skillet, leaving 2 tbsp in the pan and reserving the rest.

Add the brussels sprouts, and a pinch of salt. Allow to cook until golden and tender, stirring occasionally. Add more bacon fat as needed.

Pour in the pomegranate and balsamic vinegar, and bring to a boil, allowing to thicken into a glaze. About 1-2 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in the pomegranate seeds and bacon.

Serve & Enjoy

Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Life Love Liz (9)

Yield: 6-8 Servings

Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

This recipe for bacon and pomegranate roasted Brussels sprouts is tangy, sweet, salty and delicious. It's a perfect Christmas side dish!

Ingredients

  • 4 Slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 2 lbs Brussel sprouts, trimmed and halved
  • 1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Pomegranate juice
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 1 Pomegranate, seeded

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet cook the bacon until crisp over medium-low heat. Set the bacon aside.
  2. Drain the bacon far from the skillet, leaving 2 tbsp in the pan and reserving the rest.
  3. Add the brussels sprouts and a pinch of salt. Allow to cook until golden and tender, stirring occasionally. Add more bacon fat as needed.
  4. Pour in the pomegranate and balsamic vinegar, and bring to a boil, allowing to thicken into a glaze. About 1-2 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in the pomegranate seeds and bacon.
  6. Serve & Enjoy

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 104Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 164mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 4gSugar: 8gProtein: 6g

Did you make this recipe?

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Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Life Love Liz (13)

Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Life Love Liz (14)

Liz Lampman

Liz Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys cooking and baking, food photography, and reading.

Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Life Love Liz (2024)

FAQs

Why are restaurant brussel sprouts so good? ›

Brussel sprouts are roasted in lots of oil, then topped with pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and honey. It's that sweet, fatty, cheesy combo that makes it taste good!

When not to use brussel sprouts? ›

If any of the leaves have brown spots or are yellowing, it's a sign of early spoilage. If you remove the blemished leaves and the interior looks OK, you can still use the sprout. However, if the interior leaves are also showing blemishes or yellowing, it's best to toss it (or compost it, if you can).

What pairs well with roasted brussel sprouts? ›

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Serving Suggestions

Drizzle them with a bit of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice and toss them with feta or Parmesan cheese, herbs, red pepper flakes, and nuts or pepitas. Find my favorite lemon Parmesan seasoning in the recipe below, or head to this post for more variations!

Why aren't Brussels sprouts bitter anymore? ›

Over the last twenty years, farmers have mellowed the "unpleasant" flavor of Brussels sprouts by breeding a vegetable that contains fewer bitter compounds or glucosinolates. So, Brussels sprouts just taste better than they used to when we were kids. The rub is that glucosinolates help protect sprouts against pests.

Is it OK to eat Brussels sprouts everyday? ›

With all of these benefits, you may be wondering if it's okay to eat Brussels sprouts every single day. Rifkin's expert opinion is that it's safe to do so, but you also want to make sure you're eating other nutrient-rich foods too.

Are brussel sprouts healthier than other vegetables? ›

Brussels sprouts are especially rich in vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting and bone health ( 2 ). They're also high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps promote iron absorption and is involved in tissue repair and immune function ( 3 ).

What is one major side effect of eating brussel sprouts? ›

Like other cruciferous veggies, Brussels sprouts have a type of carbohydrate that your body can't easily break down. This can cause you to have belly pain, gas, and either diarrhea or constipation.

Do brussel sprouts cleanse the liver? ›

Brussel Sprouts

They stimulate detox enzymes found in the liver and may also be protective to cells. This enzyme action helps remove toxins from the blood and support the liver. Brussels sprouts also contain antioxidants that prevent cell damage.

What is the healthiest way to eat brussel sprouts? ›

Roasting Brussels sprouts caramelizes their natural sugar and mellows out bitter notes, providing rich flavor and a crispier texture. Brussels sprouts are a good source of fiber and vitamins C and K, notes the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Why are my roasted brussel sprouts not crispy? ›

Why Are My Brussel Sprouts Not Crispy? Spread them out into a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet to avoid overcrowding. If they're too close together, they'll steam instead of roast which stops the crisping process.

Should brussel sprouts be dry before roasting? ›

There's nothing wrong with soft and chewy Brussels, but if your goal is the type of crispy Brussels that they're serving at your favorite bistro you MUST thoroughly dry the surface of the sprouts before sautéing and/or roasting them. If they are wet they will steam instead of crisp. Surface area is your friend!

What gives brussel sprouts a better taste? ›

About 30 years ago, a Dutch scientist identified the chemicals that made brussels sprouts bitter. He selected seed varieties with lower levels of the bitter chemicals and bred new high-yielding varieties that tasted less bitter.

Why do my brussel sprouts taste like mustard? ›

Brussels sprouts are a member of the brassica family, which includes mustard and turnips, so it's hardly surprising that there's pungent possibility lurking within those tiny leaves. You want to cook them in ways that encourage the sweet possibilities.

Why are my roasted brussel sprouts bitter? ›

Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and broccoli are bitter mainly from a specific type of compound: glucosinolates. They are released when cell walls are damaged from cutting or chewing.

What is the trick with brussel sprouts? ›

The key is to start with a cold skillet.

Put the butter and olive oil into the cold skillet, turn the heat to high, and when your nose picks up the brown-butter smell and the butter starts turning golden brown, toss the ribbons of Brussels sprouts into the skillet. They'll come out crunchy and delicious.

Which country eats the most brussel sprouts? ›

Containing more vitamin C than an orange and with just eighty calories in a half pound, Britons eat more of them than any other European country, around 40,000 tonnes a year — and yes, we do eat them all year round. Two-thirds of Brussels sprout consumption in the UK is outside of the festive season.

Are brussel sprouts very healthy? ›

Eating a lot of Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous veggies may help protect against cancers of the stomach, lungs, kidney, breast, bladder, and prostate. Crunchy veggies like Brussels sprouts may also help you stave off other health issues, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes.

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