Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts

Thanksgiving is a wonderful celebration, filled with traditions that bring families and friends together to enjoy what we love most of all…FOOD! While the star of the feast is undoubtedly the turkey, the side dishes often take a backseat, despite their crucial role in creating a memorable meal. These often-overlooked accompaniments deserve more recognition. This Thanksgiving, we’re going to shift our focus and make our side dishes a star! Our goal is to have your family and friends begging you to bring this dish to every family event in the future!

The combination of maple syrup and bacon is one of the most underrated pairings of all time. Your friends and family will be drooling over these brussel sprouts, so be prepared to forward them this recipe!

Prep time: 10 min | Cook Time: 25 mins | Total time: 35 mins

Yields: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

8 slices of thick-cut bacon
2 lbs brussel sprouts
⅛ tsp smoked paprika
⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
½ cup dried, unsweetened cranberries
¼ cup chicken stock
¼ cup maple syrup
Salt and pepper to taste

Steps

In a large cast-iron skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high until crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled, rough chop the bacon into chunks.
Wash the Brussels sprouts, trim the stem, and cut them in half lengthwise. Remove any yellowed or blemished outer leaves.
Add the Brussels sprouts to the skillet, stirring well to coat with the bacon grease. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, without stirring, until the sprouts start to brown and caramelize about 6 minutes. Stir in the salt and cayenne, and continue to cook until the Brussels sprouts are tender, 6 to 8 minutes more.
Stir in the cranberries, chicken stock, and maple syrup. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring to coat the Brussels sprouts. Add the cooked bacon and stir to combine. Serve immediately.
* If you don’t have a big sweet tooth, I recommend adding the maple syrup, little by little.
ENJOY!