Easy Paleo roasted brussels sprouts with crispy savory bacon, rosemary and apples makes a tasty Paleo & Whole30 friendly side dish or even breakfast if you add fried eggs!
I can’t remember the exact moment when I realized that apples and bacon were a match made in heaven. All I know is that I take every opportunity I can to cook them together because they’re just THAT good together – and go with basically any veggies to create easy yet slightly fancier side dishes and breakfast hashes.
Whether it’s plantains (I still make this breakfast hash all the time), sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or brussels sprouts, the combo does no wrong!
Another thing I just haven’t had enough of yet is rosemary! Even though it’s a “holiday” flavor I actually cook with rosemary year round because I love it so darned much. It gets sort of crispy in the skillet without burning and adds so much to the simplest recipes.
What makes this side dish so perfect in my opinion though, is how easy it is to make! Brussels sprouts go from raw to perfectly roasted FAST while the bacon and apples cook up even quicker on the stovetop. Whoever think Paleo/Whole30 eating is time consuming has not made recipes like this yet!
I typically eat this for breakfast with eggs or alongside basically any main dish – burgers, chicken, and I especially love it with these turkey meatballs. It definitely has a holiday feel to it with the rosemary, so adding it as a quick side dish for a holiday dinner would be perfect – and it also travels/reheats well so it’s a great dish to share!
If you happen to be starting out with Paleo or doing a Whole30, you might have “bacon questions” – as I’ve come to call them. I know I had bacon questions in the beginning since I couldn’t seem to find any nitrate free bacon that was also technically sugar free.
If you’re on the Whole30 and need to be compliant with strict no-sugar standards, the pork bacon from U.S. Wellness Meats will no doubt become your new best friend. I legitimately think it’s the best bacon I’ve ever had – and let’s just say I’ve been around the bacon block more than anyone would want to admit…
So let’s grab our bacon, brussels and an apple and start making this easy and craaaazy delicious recipe! No joke – I am actually making this for myself for lunch with a fried egg right after I write this post. This is just one of those combos that you’ll make again and again after you have it once! Now let’s cook!
Paleo Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Apples {Whole30}
Paleo Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Apples {Whole30}
Ingredients
- 1 lb brussels sprouts washed, tops removed and cut in half
- 2 tsp olive oil + sea salt to taste for roasting
- 1 medium pink lady apple {or other tart/sweet crisp apple}
- 4-6 slices nitrate free bacon sugar free (for Whole30)
- 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary finely chopped
- additional salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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For this recipe you will roast your brussels sprouts while cooking the bacon and apples in a skillet on the stovetop.
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Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Make sure the brussels sprouts halves are uniform in size, if not, cut the larger pieces to ensure even cooking. Toss them with the 2 tsp olive oil + salt and spread out on a parchment lined baking sheet. Roast them in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until they're browning and fork tender.
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Core the apple and chop into 1/2-1 inch cubes, set aside.
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Heat a medium heavy skillet over med-hi heat (I love my cast iron for this!) and cut your bacon into one inch pieces (my favorite knife does a great job with this)
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Add the bacon to the skillet and cook, stirring until about 3/4 of the way done (according to your own preference). At this point, add the apples and chopped rosemary and continue to cook and stir until the apples have softened and the bacon is fully cooked, adjusting the heat to avoid excessive browning if necessary. Remove from heat.
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Once brussels sprouts are done, add them to the skillet and toss to combine all the flavors. Sprinkle with more salt and pepper, if desire, and serve hot! This can be served as a side dish or with fried eggs for breakfast. Enjoy!
Nutrition
What I Used to Make My Paleo Roasted Brussels Sprouts Apples and Bacon:
Want more easy Whole30 side dish recipes? Try one of these!
Caramelized Sweet Potato Apple Hash Browns
Butternut Squash Fries with Rosemary and Bacon
Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Crispy Lemon Dill Roasted Potatoes
Tell Me!
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i love rosemary too, especially lately! and I love roasted brussels sprouts. next time you are out here, go to market bistro in Jericho, their roasted brussels were delicious!
Feels like I haven’t been out to LI in forever. Maybe post-trip during the break!
The wonderful thing about these skillets is that they are so filling and so delightful and SO warm and comforting in the morning.
This looks so delicious! I LOVE bacon and Brussels sprouts, but have never thought to add apples! What a brilliant idea!
My kids LOVE brussels sprouts! That caramelization on those looks amazing!
You really can’t go wrong roasting them! My older one loves them, still working on the younger two 🙂
Oh my goodness! This has to be my favorite combination ever. It is seriously cozy during the winter months when I just want to roast everything (and want a little sweetness). One of those recipes that I would batch cook just to have it disappear SO quickly 😉
So simple and perfect. I love everything about this recipe. Thank you for sharing !
Love the apples! Perfect holiday side dish!
Brussels sprouts and bacon are one of my favorite combos! I’ve never thought to put rosemary with it too but will have to try this one out next time for sure!
Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs, (besides basil) and I think this combo would be an amazing way to get your veggies in at breakfast along with that egg you mentioned!
I have never had bacon and apples together, but I love salty and sweet combinations so I love the idea! Rosemary is also a favorite of mine all year around. This dish looks so delicious!
Ahh you must try bacon with apples! So yummy!
Brussels sprouts and bacon are so perfect together! I love the addition of apple and rosemary for the colder months. Might have to make this as a Christmas side this year!!
Definitely would work well for a quick Christmas side dish 🙂
This is my favorite way to make brussels sprouts! And with poached eggs on top for breakfast?? You are speaking my language, lady!
Okay now I’m starving! Need some poached eggs!
I am so making this! Thanks for sharing! Your photography is beautiful!
Thanks!
I love bacon with my Brussels sprouts but adding the sweet apple is a stroke of genius! Adding this Timmy holiday meal plan!
I love apples with bacon, so yummy! Hope you like it 🙂
Even though you might not know this about me, I am a HUGE fan of anything to do with brussel sprouts and bacon, I have never tried it paired with apples but I’m sure it is amazing because of the sweetness and crisp element they provide. I MUST make this dish soon. Thanks!
I really love adding apples to almost anything with bacon, delicious!
This sounds amazing! Going to make it for the first time this week! I’m not a fan of Rosemary! (I know…I’m THAT person! Lol). Any suggestions for another herb to replace or should I just leave it out?
I think you could simply leave it out and it would be yummy anyway!
I made these yesterday and it was a huge success! Even my daughter (who didn’t like Brussels sprouts “at all!”) loved them so I will definitely be making this again soon. Just ine question: I thought the sprouts looked a bit dry and when I reread the recipe I noticed the olive oil in the list of ingredients. Should I have put that on them before putting them into the oven?
Ah yes! The 2 tsp olive oil was for roasting but I forgot to put that in the instructions – I’ll change that now, thanks! So happy to hear it worked out for you anyway!
This was a great dish. Easy to make and hubby liked it too. I’m thinking of adding cranberries to it along with the apples.
That would be great! So glad you liked it 🙂
Is there an easy way to print all of these at once? I love the meal plans and you have actual realistic recipes that aren’t too crazy. I just can’t figure out an easy way to get all these compiled in once place. No book in sight? 🙂 Anyways any advice on printing would be great.
Are you referring to the Whole30 roundup? Unfortunately I don’t have it all compiled to easily print, as the recipes come from 2 other websites as well. As for the individual recipes you should be able to print using the print icon to open the new window. And no book, yet! Hope to do one soon 🙂
This was so amazing! I made the recipe just as posted, but added some butternut squash in the oven with the Brussels. (I had a lot of leftover butternut squash cubes that I needed to do something with from a recipe I made earlier in the week). The apple adds a whole other dimension of flavor. My husband, who typically doesn’t like Brussels, ate them all up from his plate. I will definitely keep this one in rotation. What a wonderful recipe. Thanks!
Can you use frozen Brussels sprouts?
I think so…the oven timing would be different though and they wouldn’t crisp up as much.
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Yum! I tried making this and it is perfect for Thanksgiving feast. I love how all the flavors come together on this one. And so easy to make!
That’s great!
This recipe looks great! I plan on making it ahead for Thanksgiving. Any tips for reheating it?
Thanks!
I definitely want to try it with Apple! Can I make this a day ahead?
Hi. This looks great. Do you drain the bacon grease before adding the apples? Thanks!