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 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.

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.

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 you rinse brussel sprouts before roasting? ›

To prepare brussel sprouts, you should rinse them well or even soak them if you have enough time. Trim the bottoms and outer leaves off, then cut them in half to prep them for roasting.

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.

Are brussel sprouts the healthiest vegetable? ›

Overall, are brussels sprouts good for you? High in fibre and nutrient-dense, brussels sprouts make a positive contribution to a varied, balanced diet for many of us. However, if you have a thyroid issue or a gut disorder you may need to manage the size of your portions.

What gives brussel sprouts a better taste? ›

There are 2 magical ingredients that will bring your brussels sprouts to the next level. Salt, and oil. That's pretty much all there is too it! A nice olive oil will give them a dose of healthy fats, which will keep you feeling full and satisfied even longer.

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).

How do I roast Brussels sprouts without bitterness? ›

The best way to cook brussels sprouts is this:
  1. Trim off the stem ends.
  2. If they are large, slice in half.
  3. Dress with olive oil, salt, pepper, and andy spices you like.
  4. Roast in the oven or grill until slightly charred but not overcooked.
Jul 13, 2020

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.

What are the disadvantages of Brussels sprout? ›

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. 4 Read on to learn about the nutrition of Brussels sprouts and how to incorporate them into your diet.

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.

What percentage of people don't like brussel sprouts? ›

America's least favorite veggies:

Brussels sprouts (21 percent)

What is a good companion for brussel sprouts? ›

Onions and Garlic:

These pungent alliums are great companions for Brussels sprouts. Garlic and onions have strong scents are effective in deterring common pests like aphids and some beetles. Plus, they occupy a different space in the garden bed, ensuring efficient use of space.

What should I eat with sprouts? ›

Adding sprouts to an avocado spread on your bread of choice packs in tons of extra flavor and texture. You can keep it simple with a sprinkle of salt or make it fancy with a poached egg, tomatoes, or goat cheese and bacon.

How do you get the bitterness out of roasted brussel sprouts? ›

A splash of lemon juice, or even apple cider vinegar, works wonders on bitter sprouts. Another key ingredient is fat, which helps Brussels sprouts to crisp up. This is why it's so popular to render bacon fat and cook Brussels sprouts in it, then add the bacon bits back in at the end.

Are oven roasted brussel sprouts good for you? ›

Like their cruciferous vegetable counterparts Sauteed Cabbage and Roasted Broccoli, roasted Brussels sprouts are healthy; they contain fiber and nutrients like vitamin C. Great Leftover. Any leftovers you don't immediately demolish can be gently reheated the next day in the oven.

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