Candied Pecan Bacon Brussels Sprouts [+ Video]

3.73 from 18 votes

Don’t be afraid of Brussels Sprouts. Pan Roasted Candied Pecan Bacon Brussels Sprouts are seriously the best side dish ever!

This post is sponsored by Fisher Nuts but all opinions remain our own.

Stop. Don’t you dare click away from this post. Brussel Sprouts are not what you think and this comes from one who used to be the pickiest eater ever, so you can totally trust me! Ok, that’s not true, I’ve never had a delicious steamed or boiled brussels sprouts, but these candied pecan bacon brussels sprouts are the best side dish!

Did you know we’ve been partnered with Fisher Nuts for almost as long as this blog has been going? A long time ago we decided to get really serious about the blog and picky about the brands we work with so Fisher Nuts was one of our first! They are all about being non-GMO Project Verified and contain no preservatives. There are over nine varieties of Fisher nuts that are verified by the American Heart Association as heart healthy.

Every February we get serious and bring you a meal that isn’t dessert, but instead a dish that let’s vegetables or other good for you foods be the star in an effort to talk about doing small things that pay off later, like including nuts in our diet is a new effort to care for our hearts.

Brussel Sprouts or Brussels Sprouts?

First thing first though, is it Brussel Sprouts or Brussels Sprouts? It is a pet peeve of mine that there isn’t a proper way to spell Brussel Sprouts. When I talk I say Brussel, but when I type it feels like it should be Brussels Sprouts, but I’ve googled until my eyeballs fell out and it for sure can be either way. So guess what, I’m writing it both ways in this post to appease both sides.

Where to Cut Brussels Sprouts

To prepare brussels sprouts you need to know where to cut brussels sprouts. Start by trimming off the bottom and then slice the brussels sprouts in half. Let any outer, browning leaves fall off. We like to give them a quick rinse in cold water at this point but it isn’t necessary.

How to Cook Brussel Sprouts

The key to brussel sprouts is actually in the cooking method. It’s not about a secret seasoning or sauce, though seasoning is huge as well.

No, it’s about roasting or sautéing. I think it’s the only way to go so that you can cook out the bitter and instead bring in a warm, delicious flavor that’s perfect for the holidays.

Make sure you halve the brussels sprouts so that they can lay flat on the surface of the pan and brown the underside. If you are making a one pan or sheet pan dinner you can do the same but roast the veggies. Just make sure again that the underside is laying flat on the metal pan.

Are Brussel Sprouts Low Carb?

Brussels sprouts contain low to moderate amount of carbohydrates. They have a low glycemic load and are a great source of vitamin A, C and B and potassium.

I think you all were ready for side dishes anyway. When we asked what you wanted, brownies or sides we got almost all side dish recipes requests.

That tells me that I’m not alone in being asked to dinner and told to bring a side then hanging up the phone and stressing my brains out about what in the heck to bring. Dessert is always the easiest and we’re always assigned side dish. Are our friends messing with us?

The best thing to do with brussel sprouts after roasting is to do a little play with salty, sweet and juicy. It just works so well with the brussel sprouts. We chose to make candied pecans for a little crunchy and sweet and then juicy craisins for the pop, but instead of just salt on the brussels and a little butter (which is also wonderful) we added bacon. There’s no real reason other than bacon makes the world go round. How in the heck did I hate the stuff growing up?! What a stitch in my mother’s side I must have been!