Maple-Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pecans
Roasted Brussels sprouts tossed with crisp bacon, toasted pecans, and finished with a sticky maple-bourbon glaze for a sweet and savory side. This american-inspired thanksgiving ready in about 35 minutes pairs Brussels sprouts, bacon slices, pecans for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 pound, trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts
- 4, chopped bacon slices
- 1/2 cup, roughly chopped pecans
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 1 pound halved Brussels sprouts with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until edges are golden and crispy.
- Step 2: While Brussels sprouts roast, cook 4 chopped bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pan.
- Step 3: Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans to the skillet with bacon fat and toast over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat.
- Step 4: In a small saucepan, combine 3 tablespoons maple syrup and 2 tablespoons bourbon. Simmer over low heat for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened and syrupy.
- Step 5: Toss the roasted Brussels sprouts with the cooked bacon, toasted pecans, and warm maple-bourbon glaze until everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately for a rich, festive side dish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pecans take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Maple-Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pecans?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep brussels sprouts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pecans?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Maple-Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pecans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Maple-Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pecans?
American thanksgiving like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This is the star of the table every year! The pecans give such a nice crunch.
- ★★★★★
The glaze was perfect, and the bacon added the right smoky crunch. My family devoured them at Thanksgiving!
- ★★★★☆
Great flavor, but the bacon burned a bit on my stovetop. Still tasty though.








