Description
This festive smashed Brussels sprouts recipe combines tender roasted sprouts with crispy smoked bacon for a flavorful and easy side dish perfect for holiday gatherings or everyday meals. The sprouts are roasted until tender, smashed for extra texture, and then topped with crunchy bacon, giving a delightful contrast in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 200g Brussels sprouts, trimmed (prepared weight)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 100g smoked streaky bacon rashers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/gas mark 6 to prepare for roasting the Brussels sprouts.
- Toss the sprouts: In a large bowl, combine the trimmed Brussels sprouts and olive oil. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring the sprouts are well coated.
- Roast the sprouts: Spread the sprouts evenly on a large roasting tray. Roast in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking to ensure even roasting until tender.
- Smash the sprouts: Remove the tray from the oven. Using a sturdy mug or potato masher, press down on each sprout to flatten and ‘smash’ them gently, which enhances texture and surface area for crispiness.
- Prepare and add bacon: Cut the smoked streaky bacon rashers into bite-sized strips using kitchen scissors or a knife. Scatter the bacon pieces evenly over the smashed sprouts on the roasting tray.
- Roast bacon and sprouts together: Reduce oven temperature to 190°C (170°C fan)/gas mark 5. Roast the sprouts and bacon for an additional 7-9 minutes until the bacon is crisp, stirring if needed.
- Increase heat if necessary: If after 9 minutes the bacon is not yet crisp, increase the oven temperature back to 200°C (180°C fan)/gas mark 6 and roast for a few more minutes until crispy to your liking.
Notes
- Be careful not to over-smash the sprouts; they should remain in one piece but flatter for better texture.
- You can adjust seasoning to your taste, adding black pepper or a pinch of chili flakes for extra flavor.
- This dish is best served immediately while the bacon is hot and crisp.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and consider adding toasted nuts or smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
- Ensure your baking tray is large enough to avoid overcrowding, which helps the sprouts roast evenly and get crispy edges.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: Brussels sprouts, smashed sprouts, roasted sprouts, crispy bacon, festive side dish, holiday recipe, easy vegetable side
