Festive Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Bacon Recipe
A delicious and festive dish featuring smashed Brussels sprouts roasted to tender perfection and topped with crispy smoked streaky bacon. This simple yet flavorful recipe is perfect as a side dish for holiday meals or cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2-3 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 200g Brussels sprouts, trimmed (prepared weight)
Other Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 100g smoked streaky bacon rashers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Heat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/gas mark 6 to prepare for roasting the Brussels sprouts.
- Season and roast sprouts: In a large bowl, combine the trimmed Brussels sprouts with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season them well with salt and pepper. Spread them out evenly on a large roasting tray. Roast in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, turning the sprouts halfway through to ensure even cooking, until they are tender and starting to brown.
- Smash the sprouts: Remove the roasting tray from the oven. Using a sturdy mug or a potato masher, press down on each Brussels sprout to flatten and ‘smash’ them gently but thoroughly.
- Prepare bacon and continue roasting: Cut the smoked streaky bacon into bite-sized strips using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife. Scatter the bacon pieces evenly over the smashed sprouts on the roasting tray. Reduce the oven temperature to 190°C (170°C fan)/gas mark 5.
- Roast until crisp: Return the roasting tray to the oven and roast the sprouts and bacon together for 7-9 minutes until the bacon is crisp. If the bacon isn’t sufficiently crispy after this time, increase the oven temperature back to 200°C (180°C fan)/gas mark 6 for a few more minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Notes
- Trimming Brussels sprouts means removing the tough stems and any outer leaves that are damaged.
- Pressing the sprouts flat helps them get crispy edges and increases surface area for caramelization.
- Use smoked bacon for a robust smoky flavor that pairs well with the sprouts.
- Monitor closely when crisping the bacon at higher heat to prevent overcooking.
- This dish works great as a side for festive meals or a flavorful vegetable option any time.
Keywords: Brussels sprouts, smashed sprouts, roasted vegetables, crispy bacon, festive side dish, holiday recipe
