Bacon Bleu Cranberry Brussels Sprouts are a wonderful balance of sweet, salty, and tangy in every bite combating all the ‘I hate them’ people out there.
Post has been updated since it’s original publication date of September 23, 2014 with new photography, video, and amended recipe direction for clarity. Of course for grammar too because typos are always found later.
Yes, we’re back in Brussels sprouts season.
This is a happy time for me. I love those little things.
They are so full of flavor even when just quickly parboiled and topped with a bit of salt, pepper, and butter.
But we all know that butter makes everything better. While parboiling is nice, sautéing them and getting a nice sear on them is amazing and their flavor is all the more enhanced.
How Do Brussels Sprouts Grow
These little cabbages grow on a stalk. I remember the first time I saw them in a store, I was confounded.
They have a really long growing season and do best when they get hit with some severe cold or frost…unlike me!
The little cabbages are easily plucked off their stalk and ready to be trimmed and cooked.
Once their off the stalk, if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to play pretend sword fighting with it, so I suggest buying two stalks at once for such purpose.
Bacon Bleu Cranberry Brussels Sprouts
Since it’s fall, cranberries scream to be used as well and I just couldn’t help myself once I got started, so I tossed in some blue cheese and bacon. Start to finish, this was one fast dish, and one that will leave your palate happy.
Cooking the onion with the bacon lends to an exquisite flavor. You can chop the cranberries up or leave them whole. It really comes down to personal taste, that way. I make it both ways, it just depends how lazy I am!
Bacon Bleu Cranberry Brussels Sprouts are sincerely one of the best dishes to convince someone to try these little veggies again, particularly for all those who say they hate them!
I have personally converted a dozen people to them with this recipe, you can too!
What to serve with Brussels Sprouts
Pretty much any protein will work. Here’s some ideas:
- Balsamic Beef Roast
- Rosemary Apricot Turkey
- Apple Cider Turkey
- Mushroom Tarragon Roasted Pork Loin
- Sweet Tea Brined Grilled Chicken
Bacon Bleu Cranberry Brussels Sprouts
Bacon Bleu Cranberry Brussels Sprouts are a wonderful balance of sweet, salty, and tangy in every bite combating all the 'I hate them' people out there.
Ingredients
- 1 lb bacon; chopped
- 1 cup small onion; thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 lbs Brussels sprouts; shredded
- 1 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil (if needed)
- 1 tsp sugar; +/- to taste
- 1/4 tsp Salt; +/- to taste
- 1/4 tsp pepper; +/- to taste
- 3/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries; roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup Water; +/- to need
- 1/3 cup bleu cheese crumbles
Instructions
-
In a skillet, over medium-high heat, cook the bacon; 2-3 minutes.
-
Add onions, sauté the onions with the bacon for 4 minutes over medium-high heat, or until bacon is cooked and onions softened.
-
Add the Brussels sprouts; cook for an additional 5 minutes.
-
Add olive oil, if needed.
-
Add the sugar, salt, and pepper, and the cranberries. Mix well.
-
Add water, bringing up the fond or stuck on bits at the bottom of the pan.
-
Remove from heat.
-
Add the blue cheese. Serve and enjoy.
41 Comments
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
September 23, 2014 at 9:04 pmI love roasting brussels sprouts with bacon. The cranberries and blue cheese are such great additions!
Michelle
September 23, 2014 at 9:16 pmThank you Erin…I agree, roasted brussels are simply delicious.
April @ My Real Food Family
September 24, 2014 at 4:04 amI’m not a fan of brussels sprouts but these look like they would really be good. Guess I’ll give them another chance!
Michelle
September 24, 2014 at 9:24 amI am on a mission to bring the love of Brussels sprouts to the masses. They are so wonderful but so many people hate them because they have been prepared incorrectly…boiled to death and left limp and flavorless. Give them another shot…you might be surprised. Or still hate them, as we all have things we dislike in life, which is ok too. 🙂
The Food Hunter
September 24, 2014 at 8:44 amWhy do I want this at 8am? looks delish!
Michelle
September 24, 2014 at 9:25 amOh FH, I ate them at 8 am, finishing off the tiny bit that was left over, straight cold from the fridge. Absolutely no judgement on your wants!
lizzy
September 24, 2014 at 3:41 pmThis looks amazing – I will def make this for company!
Michelle
September 24, 2014 at 11:54 pmThank you Lizzy. It’s quick and easy and oh so delicious.
Healing Tomato
September 24, 2014 at 5:40 pmYou had me at brussels sprouts. Love this recipe (minus the bacon).
Michelle
September 24, 2014 at 11:57 pmYou might the first person I have ever heard say “minus the bacon”. 😉
Minus the bacon, I know you will love it.
janelle
September 25, 2014 at 8:05 amlooks delicious
Michelle
September 27, 2014 at 10:42 pmThanks Janelle
Brandy
September 27, 2014 at 3:28 pmI cannot imagine this could be any better but I would put a few roasted slivered almonds in there with the blue cheese…..Yum!
Michelle
September 27, 2014 at 10:42 pmI’m with you on the addition of roasted silvered almonds. Let me know how it is.
Michelle @ Healthy Recipe Ecstasy
October 1, 2014 at 10:33 amBacon and brussels sprouts are the best combo!! I never thought about adding cranberry but it’s perfect for fall.
Michelle
October 3, 2014 at 12:53 pmThank you Michelle, I happen to agree with you!
Darla
December 8, 2014 at 9:32 pmThis is one of the best things that I have ever tasted! It’s going on the Christmas Dinner table!
Michelle
December 8, 2014 at 9:39 pmExcellent, thank you.
Des @ Life's Ambrosia
August 12, 2015 at 1:30 amwhat a great way to use brussels sprouts! I am loving the idea of salty bacon and sweet cranberries!
Michelle
August 12, 2015 at 9:43 pmThanks Des, it’s a tasty combo.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
August 12, 2015 at 5:07 amThere’s nothing not to love about brussels sprouts! One of the best veggies ever!
Michelle
August 12, 2015 at 9:49 pmCompletely agree.
Marye
August 12, 2015 at 6:23 amThis looks awesome! I definitely want to try this.
Michelle
August 12, 2015 at 9:49 pmHope you enjoy it.
Faith (An Edible Mosaic)
August 12, 2015 at 6:29 amI love Brussels sprouts so much, I’m a year-round eater. You paired the flavors perfectly here with the bacon, blue cheese, and cranberries. I could eat this for lunch every day and be a happy girl!
Michelle
August 12, 2015 at 9:49 pmI eat them all year long too. I had a friend ask me once if I ever ate any other vegetables.
Ali @ Home & Plate
August 12, 2015 at 6:54 amI am always looking for new ways to make brussel sprouts and think the addition of blue cheese is a great one. Pinning!
Michelle
August 12, 2015 at 9:49 pmThank you Ali.
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic
August 12, 2015 at 9:47 amYou really can’t go wrong with shredded brussels sprouts and bacon. I love how fast this dish comes together.
Michelle
August 12, 2015 at 9:51 pmThank you Kirsten.
Tangy-Sweet Green Beans
September 16, 2015 at 10:17 pm[…] dish and a soon-to-be family favorite.My love of Brussels sprouts is well documented on this site here, here and here. But there is an appalling lack of recipes featuring my other favorite […]
Classic Vegetable Soup + Weekly Menu
February 14, 2016 at 5:43 am[…] Tuesday: salmon patties with Bacon Bleu Cranberry Brussels Sprouts […]
Classic Vegetable Soup + Weekly Menu – Carey M. Wiseman WordPress
February 14, 2016 at 5:56 am[…] Tuesday: salmon patties with Bacon Bleu Cranberry Brussels Sprouts […]
Modish | Bacon Bleu Cranberry Brussels Sprouts – The Complete Savorist
September 8, 2016 at 6:01 am[…] Yes, we’re back in Brussels sprouts season. This is a happy time for me. I love those little things. They are so full of flavor even when just quickly parboiled and topped with a bit of salt, pepper, and butter. But we all know that butter makes everything better. […]
Grilled Chicken Cranberry Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette - The Complete Savorist
September 14, 2016 at 1:34 pm[…] Maybe it has something to do with the fact I hate driving in the snow. Psychologically speaking, it’s possible I want to overstock the shelves to avoid going out in the weather. Or it could be all the holidays and extra cooking I do. Whatever it is, it’s a good thing there’s a local Sam’s Club for all my bulk buying needs.She and I also talked about all the foods associated with this time of year. Personally, I love hearty soups and stews, cheesy pastas, holiday comfort food, and don’t laugh, brussel sprouts and cranberries. Yes, I love brussel sprouts and cranberries. I even have a dish or two with them together, like this one. […]
Apple Cider Turkey - The Complete Savorist
November 15, 2018 at 1:21 am[…] Bacon Bleu Cranberry Brussel Sprouts […]
Allie
November 16, 2018 at 5:04 pmHow many people will these measurements serve? I’m hosting my first Thanksgiving for 17 and these are a MUST!
Michelle De La Cerda
November 16, 2018 at 5:35 pmFirst off, first time hosting and 17 guests…brave! Good luck to you! This serves at least 6 as a decent portioned side. So doubling it would give you 12 and you’ll inevitably have those who don’t like Brussel sprouts or people take smaller portions.
Dutch Oven Peppered Bacon Meatloaf - Dutch Oven Daddy
November 3, 2019 at 10:55 pm[…] Bacon Bleu Cranberry Brussels Sprouts from The Complete Savorist […]
Rosemary Apricot Turkey - The Complete Savorist
November 5, 2019 at 4:59 pm[…] Bacon Bleu Cranberry Brussel Sprouts […]
20 Irresistible Cranberry Recipes - Ms. Alisha Carlson
November 21, 2020 at 7:57 pm[…] Bacon Bleu Cranberry Brussel Sprouts | The Complete Savorist […]