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 (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 aren't Brussels sprouts bitter anymore? ›

In the late 1990s scientists identified specific chemicals, called glucosinolates, that made Brussels sprouts taste bitter. Plant breeders started growing old seeds, previously discarded for producing paltry harvests, to identify tastier versions with lower levels of these compounds.

Why Brussels sprouts taste better than they did when you were a kid? ›

Research Fellow Lauren Chappell said, "Sulfur is responsible for the bitter sprout taste. As we age, we lose tastebuds, which can make them more palatable—potentially why adults who hated sprouts as children now embrace them in seasonal dishes.

How many pounds of brussels sprouts do I need for eight people? ›

Plan on about 1/2 pound (8 ounces) of raw brussels sprouts per person. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (sprouts will roast nicely anywhere in the 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit range).

What are the most productive brussel sprouts? ›

In 2021, NHAES researchers evaluated 16 Brussels sprout varieties, including old standards and newer releases. Cultivars Diablo, Divino and Nautic had the highest yields, uniformity and resistance to Alternaria leaf spot.

When should you not eat Brussels 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 gives Brussels 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.

What are the disadvantages of Brussels sprout? ›

Ask your doctor about how often it's safe for you to eat Brussels sprouts. You have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 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.

Can you eat too many Brussels sprouts? ›

You can prepare Brussels sprouts by sautéing them with garlic and olive oil or serving them with lean protein and whole grains. 3 Just keep in mind that Brussels sprouts are high in fiber, which can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and gas if you eat too many.

Why do my Brussels sprouts taste weird? ›

If brussels sprouts taste bitter to you, you may have a gene that senses bitter compounds in brassicas. It is similar to the gene that makes cilantro taste like soap to the people who have it, and like a yummy herb to people who don't.

Is it okay to eat Brussels sprouts every day? ›

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.

How many times a week should you eat Brussels sprouts? ›

Adding even just one or two servings of Brussels sprouts to your diet a few times a week can help you meet your vitamin C needs. Brussels sprouts are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that's important for immune health, iron absorption, collagen production, and the growth and repair of tissues.

Which is healthier broccoli or brussel sprouts? ›

While broccoli may have a higher count of calories, fat, and carbs, it is richer in calcium, iron, and pantothenic acid (a B vitamin that does wonders for healthy hair), and has a bit more potassium. Brussels sprouts, on the other hand, are lower in sodium.

Why are my roasted Brussels 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.

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.

When did Brussels sprouts stop being bitter? ›

It's not that you've grown up with more sophisticated tastes; it's the Brussels sprouts that have changed. Scientists in the Netherlands tinkered with them, making the sprouts bitter no longer. National Public Radio reports that the sprouts began to change in the 1990s.

Why do I like Brussels sprouts more than I used to? ›

As we age, we lose tastebuds, which can make them more palatable – potentially why adults who hated sprouts as children now embrace them in seasonal dishes.

Are Brussel sprouts supposed to be bitter? ›

Brussels sprouts, especially for older generations, might have meant boiled, bitter tasting morsels, but today's varieties are much milder, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Dutch food scientists.

Do Brussel sprouts taste bitter to everyone? ›

Surprisingly, it could be your genes that determine your feelings about these controversial little vegetables. A 2011 study by Cornwall College found that sprouts contain a chemical, similar to phenylthiocarbamide, which only tastes bitter to people who have a variation of a certain gene.

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