Roasted Brussels Sprouts “Flavor Bombs”

If you’re not already a fan of healthy Brussels sprouts, I can almost guarantee you will be once you taste these little cabbages mixed up with pancetta, sweet potatoes – and what, fresh squeezed orange juice? 

whole30 compliant recipe markOh yes, this easy paleo recipe is a unique twist on a classic dish perfect for Brussels sprout lovers hungry for something a little different.

And if you’re pretty sure you don’t like them, scoop up a pound of Brussels sprouts from your supermarket’s fresh produce section and try them this way – I’m betting you’ll change your mind fast when you dig into these “flavor bombs” packed with yumminess.

Just like most good Brussels sprouts recipes, this one sticks with roasting the sprouts in the oven. But after that, it veers off into exciting new taste territory that includes pan-fried pancetta (Italian bacon), cubed sweet potatoes as roasting companions, and yes, half an orange squeezed over everything when it’s done! [av_sidebar widget_area=’Lockerdome’ av_uid=’av-2tre8r’]

With this recipe you’ll be enjoying the smokiness from the pancetta, a nice nutty flavor from the sprouts, the sweetness of roasted potatoes, and that fresh orange you put the squeeze on instantly adds a big splash of brightness to the whole dish!

Now for those brave souls who swear they hate Brussels sprouts but are willing to give this recipe a shot, let me give you just a few simple prep tips: Wash the sprouts in cold water, pull off any yellow or otherwise gnarly leaves, and cut each bud in half lengthwise – right down the middle of the stem. And if you need more encouragement while you make this, keep in mind Brussels sprouts contain an abundance of vitamins K and C, along with some hard-working antioxidants. Even the sulfur in Brussels sprouts helps detoxify your body.

(I know the above is old news for Brussels sprouts aficionados, but we really want to bring the newbies along for this one too!)

So that’s enough from me…I know you’re anxious to try this easy paleo recipe for unbelievably good roasted Brussels sprouts.

Happy cooking…and let me know what you think!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts "Flavor Bombs" Paleo Recipe

Yield: Serves about 4

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients

  • 3 tbs olive oil
  • 6 oz diced pancetta
  • 3/4 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved (from the top of the stem)
  • 1 large raw sweet potato, peeled and diced into about 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tsp rosemary, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup orange juice (about half a fresh orange, squeezed)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425º F
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and diced pancetta. Cook pancetta until crispy (about 5 minutes). Remove pancetta from the pan and set aside...but leave the remaining oil and fat drippings in the pan!
  3. Add the diced onion to the skillet with the fat, and cook until translucent (about 4-5 minutes)
  4. Next add the sweet potato cubes and halved Brussels sprouts to the skillet and immediately remove from heat. Stir together in the skillet until well-coated
  5. Spread out the sweet potato cubes and Brussels sprouts across a foiled-lined baking sheet
  6. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with rosemary. Do NOT add the pancetta yet!
  7. Roast seasoned sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts in 425º oven about 25-30 minutes, or until tender
  8. Remove potatoes and sprouts from the oven and transfer to a serving bowl
  9. Finally pour (or squeeze) the orange juice over the top, then sprinkle with the crispy pancetta
  10. Serve and enjoy immediately!
https://www.paleonewbie.com/paleo-brussels-sprouts-flavor-bombs-recipe/

Join the Conversation

  1. Made this and loved it! Sharing it on my blog tomorrow. Thank you!

  2. Heather Stevens Terry, this was YOUR share! LOL! I was surprised how well the brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes worked together, I used thick bacon since I didn’t have pancetta and it was fabulous. You are gonna love this! Enjoy!

  3. Thank you Trina these were absolutely delicious and packed with so much flavor!

    1. Yay Martina, I’m glad you tried the recipe! I’m not a huge Brussels sprout fan, but I loved this recipe too!

  4. Is it just me, or do some Brussel sprouts taste too bitter? How do I pick the right ones?

    1. Hi Linda…Brussels sprouts can taste bitter to some people, but not so much for others…kind of depends on your sensitivity. To reduce the chance of bitterness, go with the smallest and most compact sprouts, trim off all the yellowed or loose leaves, and cut the stem back as far as you can. You can also try boiling them for a bit in water with a little salt or lemon, then dunking them in an ice bath, or you can try steaming them first too…you gotta be careful not to leach out all the nutrients with those methods though. Also cooking them too long will almost always result in bitter bulbs. This recipe is designed to deliver a lot of other great flavors along with the roasted sprouts, so taken as a whole this dish should make good quality Brussels sprouts taste even better…a pretty good one to at least try for people who swear they hate them!

  5. Catherine C Reeves – I thought you’d like this one mom.

  6. This looks identical to the breakfast I make 5 days a week! Yum!

  7. Toss the Sprouts and Pancetta in Olive Oil and Roast them on a sheet pan @425 and skip the steaming step…you get that beautiful color on the outside ~~~ Voila

  8. Marlene Vera
    I didn’t care for them at first. I started to about 8 years ago after cooking them with bacon. But I do roast them and add panchetta. I don’t think the sweet potatoes are needed and I’m guessing that’s why they add the orange juice. I’ll have to make you my version and see what you think.

  9. Sasha D Diaz you might like this recipe! I’m not a fan of Brussels sprouts but maybe I’ll give them a chance lol

  10. Okay this one I need to make!!

  11. Nancy Reed make these please.

  12. Do these sound yummy? Think I will try

  13. Going to make this the next time i get sprouts. i have to not add the pancetta though.

  14. Sage Robertson Randklev; didn’t know if you had seen this?

    1. And Bacon!!! Making this thanks Jo Mamma xxx

  15. I love Brussels sprouts sauté in bacon fat!

  16. Dana Bergstrom, this is more my style of eating…

  17. i want this now! I love pan fried brussel sprouts in butter!!!!!!

  18. Your welcome. Very exciting! After the Superbowl right Sara Tomaszewski? Lol.

  19. Thanks Danielle Nichole Spartz. I will follow! Going shopping this weekend to start this diet! :)

  20. Bill Gervase show this recipe to mom

  21. Mmmm me too, I even love them cold I can eat them out of a bag at the park

  22. Sara Tomaszewski, this is one of the pages I follow.

  23. Yum! I seriously eat Brussels sprouts for breakfast lunch and dinner!!

  24. Morgan Kline Debbie Morgan thought of both of you immediately! Which one of us is going to make these first??

  25. I steam my Brussels sprouts a few mins then throw them in to a frying pan with pancetta and brown them. Yum!

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