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Home » Side Dish

Charred Brussels Sprouts With Bourbon Bacon Jam

Published: Dec 14, 2020 · Modified: Jan 18, 2025 by Ash, The Grocery Addict · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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If you’re looking for a simple appetizer or side, this easy recipe for roasted Charred Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Jam is the perfect solution. Even if you have anti-cruciferous crusaders in the family, I can almost guarantee you'll win them over with this simple four ingredient recipe. 

closeup shot on a serving bowl of brussels sprouts with bacon jam showing the dark char marks on the roasted veggies and the sticky bits of cooked bacon in the jam.

My father-in-law, Pat, long insisted that he didn’t like either Brussels sprouts or green beans. While I used to avoid either veggie for our family gatherings, I decided to perform a test a few years back. Could I change his mind about Brussels sprouts? Could I win him over to Team Cruciferous? Spoiler alert: I succeeded on both fronts.

Wanna know my secret? Bacon jam! While it might sound weird (or even gross?) to some, I'm here to help you see past your pre-existing beliefs that jams should exclusively be made from fruit. This yummy spread is a delicious condiment that borders savory and sweet—the perfect agrodolce addition to everything from roasted veggies to a grilled cheese sandwich.

silver fork spearing a brussel sprout from a bowl of bacon jam and brussels sprouts.
Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love This Bacon Jam Brussel Sprouts Recipe
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How to Make Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts
  • Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations
  • Expert Tips
  • Serving Suggestions
  • FAQs
  • More Easy Vegetable Side Dish Recipes
  • Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Jam
  • 💬 Reviews

Why You’ll Love This Bacon Jam Brussel Sprouts Recipe

  • Quick & Easy - Just 4 ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep are all that stands between you and a magnificent pile of roasted veggie yumminess.
  • Versatile - Roasted brussels sprouts with bacon jam make a perfect party appetizer or sensational side dish depending on how you plate them.
  • Sheet Pan Simplicity - Lining your baking sheet with either foil or parchment paper ensures cleanup is a snap.
flat lay overhead closeup shot of a serving bowl filled with bacon jam and brussels sprouts.

Ingredients & Substitutions

As promised, you don't need much to make this bacon and brussels sprouts side dish. Here's what to grab:

overhead shot of the ingredients needed to make charred brussels sprouts with bacon jam.
  • Brussels Sprouts - Look for sprouts that are vibrantly colored and firm to the touch. If there are a few blemishes on some of the leaves, you can usually peel them away to find a perfectly beautiful veggie just beneath.
  • Bourbon Bacon Onion Jam - While I think my homemade recipe yields the absolute best bacon jam around, you can absolutely "cheat" by purchasing a store-bought version. As far as I'm concerned, you're still cooking and making something delicious, so there's no shame in the shortcut game! If you're looking for suggestions, Stonewall Kitchen and Terrapin Ridge Farms both make nice (albeit expensive) versions.
  • Olive Oil, Kosher Salt & Pepper - Just the basics are needed for making delightfully flavorful charred brussel sprouts—especially when there’s bacon jam in the picture.
silver serving spoon dipping into the top right corner of a bowl of brussel sprout bacon jam goodness.

How to Make Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts

Step 1: Prep. To roast brussels sprouts to perfection, you'll first want to crank the heat on your oven. Get the temp up to a sweltering 450ºF—we want it nice and hot to get those beautifully crisp, charred edges. While things are heating up, prep your brussels. Give them a good wash, then remove the stem side and cut them in half, removing any discolored leaves in the process. If some of the healthy leaves fall off, just toss them on the foil or parchment-lined baking tray with the rest—they’ll get extra crispy.

Step 2: Season. Drizzle the brussels sprouts with olive oil and sprinkle them with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Get in there with your hands to toss everything together, getting all the nooks and crannies coated in seasoning. Now flip all of the halves so the cut side is facing down for roasting—this will ensure maximum yummy browning to take place.

Step 3: Roast. Pop the sheet tray in the preheated oven and roast them for about 25 minutes, until the halves are fork tender, are starting to look golden brown and the removed leaves and crispy and brown.

Step 4: Add Jam & Serve. Using a small demitasse spoon, swipe about ¼ - ½ teaspoon of bacon jam on each half. Alternately, if you're serving this as a side dish, you can warm the bacon jam in a small saucepan over low heat to soften it and drip it all over a bowlful of the brussels sprouts, tossing gently to combine. These are definitely the best when warm, but they will be quite delicious at room temperature too. Enjoy!

cut and trimmed brussels sprouts added to a medium white mixing bowl.
cut and trimmed brussels sprouts in a mixing bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
seasoned brussels sprouts turned to face cut side down on a parchment lined sheet pan.
charred brussels sprouts on a parchment lined sheet pan after roasting.
roasted and charred brussels sprouts in a round white serving dish drizzled with bourbon bacon jam.

Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations

  • Fiery Flavor - If you want the brussels sprouts to have some heat, feel free to season them with cayenne, red pepper flakes, or ghost pepper flakes before roasting. Or, make a batch of hot pepper bacon jam by adding a few finely chopped jalapeños, serranos, or the hot peppers of your choice to the mix when you sauté the onions. You can also add a small squirt of sriracha to each sprout alongside the bacon jam.
  • Extra Pork - ​Making your own bacon jam? Drain off some of the rendered bacon fat and use it in place of some or all of the olive oil for an even richer, porkier flavor.
  • Vegan-Friendly - Need a vegetarian version? Stir some vegan bacon bits into your favorite sweet and savory preserves—hot pepper jelly is a good place to start!
45 degree angle shot of a white serving bowl of charred brussels sprouts with bacon jam.

Expert Tips

  • Roasting Trick - Use foil to line your sheet pan for the ultimate crispiness—metal conducts the heat better than parchment paper, resulting in more char. Make sure to spritz it with nonstick spray or brush it with oil to prevent the brussels sprouts from sticking.
  • Mix Well - Use your hands to mix the brussels sprouts with the seasoning and olive oil; this is the easiest way to achieve uniform results.
  • Flip ‘Em - Take the time to flip the brussels sprouts to make their cut side touch the roasting pan. This will ensure they get evenly browned and beautiful!
  • Light Hand - If you're going the hors d'oeuvres route, don't add too much bacon jam—just a little dollop will do! 
  • Taste First - Taste one of the charred brussels sprouts before adding the jam. They should be well-seasoned! If they’re tasting a bit bland, sprinkle on a few more pinches of salt and toss to combine before garnishing and serving.
  • Temperature Matters - If you’re serving individual brussels sprouts bites, keep the bacon jam cold or at room temp—this will make it a bit firmer, so it’ll stay on easier. If you’re serving them as a family-style side, warm the jam first to make it easier to drip and drizzle over the plate. 
overhead flat lay shot looking down onto the right half of a serving bowl filled with brussels sprouts bacon jam side dish.

Serving Suggestions

  • As a Starter - To serve these roasted brussels sprouts with bacon jam as an hors d'oeuvre (fancy word for finger food), I'd recommend attaching a toothpick to each one as a simple way to keep things clean and hygienic. You can also opt to serve them in Chinese soup spoons for a pretty display on a platter. Alternatively, let people serve themselves by offering appetizer plates and small forks. They're excellent alongside my Swiss Cheese Ham Delights and Jalapeño Popper Wontons!
  • As a Side - Bacon jam brussels sprouts make a great side dish for just about any kind of meat—from Dutch oven turkey breast to roasted leg of lamb, crispy chicken cutlets to sheet pan chicken sausage, salmon sweet potato cakes to harissa steak. 
  • Gussied Up - Feel free to adorn the individual bites or serving bowl with some crispy chopped bacon for extra textural interest.
single brussel sprout topped with homemade bacon jam.

FAQs

Do you cook bacon before adding to brussels sprouts?

It depends on the recipe! Here we roast and char brussels sprouts separately, then dollop on bacon jam made with cooked bacon.

What takes the bitterness out of brussels sprouts?

While I don't mind the taste of raw cabbage, the easiest way to remove the bitterness is to cook them. I personally like the high-heat roasting method, which concentrates the naturally occurring sugars and fat from the olive oil, causing them to caramelize. (For more on how that works, learn about the Maillard reaction.)

Do you have to soak brussels sprouts before cooking?

Nope! I never have, and they always turn out great.

What tastes good on brussels sprouts?

Aside from my onion bacon bourbon jam, I love just about any sweet-savory or spicy-sweet sauce you can think of—hot honey and kung pao brussels sprouts come to mind! My creamy maple dijon vinaigrette is also pretty boss.

How should I store leftovers?

Generally speaking, roasted/charred brussels sprouts are best when they're fresh from the oven—this is the most reliable way to keep them nice and crispy. That said, you can refrigerate any leftovers for up to 5 days. To reheat, I recommend using a toaster oven or oven set to about 400ºF and baking for 4-6 minutes to warm and recrisp them. If possible, keep the bacon jam separate until you're ready to serve; otherwise, make sure to keep an eye on it in the oven so the jam doesn't burn and turn acrid tasting.

closeup shot of a bowl of bacon jam brussel sprouts.
silver fork spearing a single charred brussels sprout with onion bourbon bacon jam with the rest of the serving dish blurred out in the background.

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If you made these Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Jam, please let me know how they turned out in the comments below. I love hearing how things go in the kitchen for y'all! If you want more yummy ideas and store bought cheats delivered straight to your morning inbox, sign up for my email newsletter or follow me on Pinterest!

single brussel sprout topped with homemade bacon jam.

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Jam

This super easy appetizer or side comes together with just 10 minutes of active work and four ingredients. If you're looking for an easy way to get your family to eat more veggies, this is it!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine Fusion
Servings 6
Calories 113 kcal

Equipment

  • Sheet Pan
  • Parchment or Silpat

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Brussels Sprouts washed and halved
  • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • Kosher Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 6 tablespoon Bourbon Bacon Onion Jam

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425F.
  • Wash, dry, and halve brussels sprouts, removing root ends and any sad looking leaves.
    1 lb Brussels Sprouts
  • Toss brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt and pepper. Arrange cut side down on parchment lined sheet pan.
    2 tablespoon Olive Oil, Kosher Salt & Pepper
  • Roast for 35-40 minutes, until crispy and fork tender. Allow to cool slightly so you can handle them. Swipe with about ½ teaspoon of bacon jam each. Alternately, warm the bacon jam and drizzle it over a bowl of the brussels. Enjoy!
    6 tablespoon Bourbon Bacon Onion Jam

Notes

Optional Variations
  • Fiery Flavor - If you want the brussels sprouts to have some heat, feel free to season them with cayenne, red pepper flakes, or ghost pepper flakes before roasting. Or, make a batch of hot pepper bacon jam by adding a few finely chopped jalapeños, serranos, or the hot peppers of your choice to the mix when you sauté the onions. You can also add a small squirt of sriracha to each sprout alongside the bacon jam.
  • Extra Pork - ​Making your own bacon jam? Drain off some of the rendered bacon fat and use it in place of some or all of the olive oil for an even richer, porkier flavor. You can also garnish the plate (or individual bites) with crispy bits of chopped bacon for added texture.
  • Vegan-Friendly - Need a vegetarian version? Stir some vegan bacon bits into your favorite sweet and savory preserves—hot pepper jelly is a good place to start!
Expert Tips
  • Roasting Trick - Use foil to line your sheet pan for the ultimate crispiness—metal conducts the heat better than parchment paper, resulting in more char. Make sure to spritz it with nonstick spray or brush it with oil to prevent the brussels sprouts from sticking.
  • Mix Well - Use your hands to mix the brussels sprouts with the seasoning and olive oil; this is the easiest way to achieve uniform results.
  • Flip ‘Em - Take the time to flip the brussels sprouts to make their cut side touch the roasting pan. This will ensure they get evenly browned and beautiful!
  • Light Hand - If you're going the hors d'oeuvres route, don't add too much bacon jam—just a little dollop will do! 
  • Taste First - Taste one of the charred brussels sprouts before adding the jam. They should be well-seasoned! If they’re tasting a bit bland, sprinkle on a few more pinches of salt and toss to combine before garnishing and serving.
  • Temperature Matters - If you’re serving individual brussels sprouts bites, keep the bacon jam cold or at room temp—this will make it a bit firmer, so it’ll stay on easier. If you’re serving them as a family-style side, warm the jam first to make it easier to drip and drizzle over the plate. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 113kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 23mgPotassium: 305mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 570IUVitamin C: 65mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Cheap, Comforting, Easy, Fall, Fast, Gluten Free, Sheet Pan, Special Occasion, Winter
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
grey tile table with a round white serving dish of bacon jam brussels sprouts as a side dish.

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