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These were so absurdly delicious! I couldn’t stop talking about (or eating) them all of Thanksgiving, and I’ve never even been one to love brussel sprouts. Yum yum YUM.
Monica
The thing about caramelized brussels sprouts is that they are a) adorable, b) delicious, and c) healthy, because they’re like baby cabbages disguised as beautiful food.
On our Washington, D.C. weekend getaway, I found various forms of brussels sprouts on every restaurant menu. Caramelized, roasted, chopped, sauteed, braised, you name it. And obvi, I ordered all of them. But there was only one that really made my heart flutter, and that was the caramelized brussels sprouts. How can a real live person say no to that crispy, golden exterior? So lightly sweet and so perfect.
And this is still a VEG-E-TA-BLE we’re talking about here.
Brussels sprouts are totally trendy right now, so in addition to being delicious and 150% cute, if you like them you get a free pass to the Cool Kidz Club because of their built-in awesomeness. And a bonus 200 cool person points for caramelizing them with a sweet maple orange sauce. And crumbling bacon all over them. And yeah, I’m serious.
I made these three different times because I am kind of picky about texture. The first time, they were sure crispy alright. Like, CRISPY crispy. My oven is a leetle bit over-zealous, and it’s all my oven. Totally all my oven. The second time, they were smushy and soft when sauteed on the stovetop. Not so much, friends. We’re looking for the light crunch factor here.
So the final time, when I got the crunch just right but not too much, it was by doing this:
That’s right, cut side down, in the pan. Not ideal for my lazier moments, because you have to literally place them one. by. one. in the pan. It requires moving your hands for at least two minutes, which… I know. WHAT IS THIS. It’s like I became your bossy Jillian Michaels. But the one on one attention to place each of them down in the pan is so worth it. They browned evenly on the cut side, cooked just enough to be fork tender on the back side, and then just sizzled to a perfect caramelization state when I added the sauce.
Angels singing? I hear it too. LALALALALALA.
This plus bacon plus Parmesan equals done. Delicious and done.
And keep barking up that brussels sprouts tree because –>
Chopped Brussels Sprout Salad with Chicken and Walnuts
Chopped Brussels Sprout Salad with Creamy Shallot Dressing
Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad
Zinggg.
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Simple Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 as a side 1x
Description
These caramelized brussels sprouts with a simple maple orange glaze take just 20 minutes from start to finish and pack a little nutrition punch.
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 20 brussels sprouts
- juice of one navel orange (I got about 1/4 cup)
- 1 shallot, peeled and quartered
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons stone ground mustard
- 2 teaspoons cane vinegar (any kind would work)
- 2 teaspoons real maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Parmesan for topping
Instructions
- Remove the base of the brussels sprout by cutting off just the very bottom part of the stem (it’s white). If you cut too much off, the leaves will fall apart, so be careful. Slice the brussels sprouts in half as pictured and set aside.
- Puree the orange juice, shallot, olive oil, mustard, vinegar, maple syrup, and salt in a food processor until a smooth sauce forms. Taste and adjust if you want more of a certain flavor. Set aside.
- Fry the bacon according to package directions until crispy. Drain on paper towels. When cool enough to handle, chop into small pieces. Pour the hot grease into a small heatproof container and set aside.
- Return the same pan to medium high heat and add the brussels sprouts to the pan, cut side down. Drizzle with a little bit of the reserved bacon grease (1-2 teaspoons) and gently push the brussels sprouts around in the pan, keeping them cut side down. You might need to do it twice depending on how many you can fit in your pan at one time. After about five minutes, when the brussels sprouts have browned slightly on the cut side and the pan is hot, pour the sauce in with the brussels sprouts. It will sizzle like crazy; that’s perfect! Pick the pan up by the handle(s) and shake it a little bit so that the brussels sprouts move around in the pan. They burn easily, especially once the sugars are there, so do this quickly (1 minute or less) and remove from heat when you have the right amount of caramelization. Toss with the reserved bacon and Parmesan cheese. Yummay!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: brussels sprouts, caramelized brussels sprouts, brussels sprout recipe, orange glaze
Brussels sprouts are my favorite veggie to eat in the winter and I’m always looking for ways to spice ’em up! This is perfect. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Is there anything better than caramelized brussels sprouts? I don’t think so!!
Yep that caramelized base is now haunting my salad dreams. When ever we get brussels in Australia; I am not passing that chance to buy my self some and try your recipe. Veggies are always cute; especially bacon.
Brussels sprouts are my new fave veggie ever since I tried them a few months ago!(sad I know) If you don’t want to place them one by one in a pan, you can try roasting them in the oven with some citrus olive oil like I did here – http://taketimeaway.com/citrus-olive-oil-roasted-brussel-sprouts-w-dark-chocolate-balsamic-vinegar/ They are still nicely caramelized and no need to do 2 batches or place them cut side down. =) for lazy days…
After I read the title I thought–I bet those would be really good with bacon… And you’d already thought of that! Because you’re a genius.
I’m super picky about brussels sprouts, too many mushy ones in my childhood. But these look really good! Maybe I’ll try them this weekend!
Abby
My favorite vegetable ever! These look amazingly perfect 🙂
Brussels sprouts are my weakness. Love them! Especially caramelized like this.
We love brussels sprouts at our house! I have never made them this way, but amazingly enough I think I have all the ingredients to do this! Now….to find the time…. 😉 Thanks for the great recipe!
This looks great Lindsay. Thanks! Brussels sprouts are quite strange little vegetables – and you’re right, they’re like minime cabbages packed full of flavours. Thanks for the frying tip – great idea! Love this combo of flavours/ingredients. I just googled and realised that red brussels sprouts also exists – how awesome is that? Have a great day! 🙂
You just blew my mind. I had no idea!
YES! These are my jam. Brussels + bacon + orange juice=BEST.
OMG yum! Brussels are my all time favorite vegetable! They are so delicious.
xo Dina
http://www.sweetestsomethings.com
oh yum! you know its a good recipe when it makes you crave veggies! =)
I absolutely love it when bloggers make me want to eat more veggies. These look delicious! Maybe I could even get my kids to eat them too since they’re sweetened a bit.
These little guys look so good! I love the orange maple combo.
Ahh crispy texture, I’m sold. I agree with Brussel sprouts it is all about the texture and though I’ve never had it with a glaze, if it involves maple syrup it’s bound to be delicious. Maybe I can even get my hubby to try them!
Thanks for the Recipe.. I always overcook these and mess it up 😛
I am obsessed with sprouts, so darn good! Roasted and caramelized and they are just amazing.
The fact that I stumbled across your blog and this is the very first recipe up at the top–it’s ZING, fate! I am in such a brussel sprout groove right now and lady, I love your writing, your photos, and your recipes. Cheers to mini cabbages on my plate tomorrow night, and all that jazz <3
yay! thanks Ala!
haha… going to the store asap to get those brussels sprouts. Holy cutest vegetable ever and deliciousness waiting to happen.
P.S. I like Julianne Michaels, so I’m ok with your bossy side. 🙂
Wonderful – I had actually spotted some Brussels in the supermarket the other day (which being summer I thought was rather strange) but will need to give this recipe a whirl as I do so love Brussels – but funnily enough I hated them as a child in UK, where they seemed to be a regular on our dinner plates day after day! Your pulled pork recipe was also made again yesterday, ready for todays sandwiches.
Love your recipes…..
Made this recipe yesterday, was every bit as easy and delicious as I thought.
Great! Glad to hear it!
I love Brussel sprouts! This way looks fantastic, I’ll have to try it when they comeback into season. I love roasting them with a little bacon.
These brussels sprouts do look good! I love how you added the orange juice, that must have helped with the caramelizing.
Yes please! I could absolutely eat a whole plate of the brussels sprouts for lunch–maybe with a fried egg on top? So good!
Ohhh, I like the maple orange glaze. Now that sounds tasty! I usually roast brussels sprouts with bacon but I think I need to try this. Pinned!
First off, I love brussels sprouts and am thrilled with a maple orange glazed! Roasting them brings out the sweetness!