Apple Bacon Shredded Brussels Sprouts

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With Thanksgiving being just around the corner, this Apple Bacon Shredded Brussels Sprouts will make a perfect side dish for your festive dinner.


That’s correct guys, I’m finally posting my first apple recipe. How many of you have moved to pumpkins or perhaps to the Christmas season (haha, just kidding)? Don’t answer, though. I’m not fully oblivious. I’ve noticed YOUR EVERY SINGLE PUMPKIN RECIPE which was screaming “Come on, Ben! Hurry up! Make something with apples at least!” trying to embarrass me.

All right, let’s not dwell on this little thing. Let’s talk about this utterly scrumptious Apple Bacon Shredded Brussels Sprouts.

Well, have you noticed I said Thanksgiving? Don’t forget Canada celebrates it in the beginning of October (Indeed, we’ll be celebrating it this Monday). Personally, as a food blogger, I always try to use such a unique opportunity to please both my Canadian and American readers. So I might post more seasonal ideas towards to the end of November if you don’t mind.

You cannot imagine a Thanksgiving meal without few side dishes, and I do believe this Apple Bacon Shredded Brussels Sprouts make a nice one (But I enjoyed it as a complete lunch meal. It’s satisfying).

Both Andrey and I love to enjoy sweet potatoes around Thanksgiving. Somehow sweet potatoes are associated with a festive dinner more than Brussels sprouts, possibly because we get to eat sprouts regularly during fall and winter.

But some delicious Brussels sprouts are always welcome on Thanksgiving too.

Normally, I’m skeptical about adding apples into savory dishes (It just doesn’t always work for my taste buds), but apples worked out beautifully here. They bring some fresh, tart, and crisp notes (Just don’t overcook them. We don’t need mushy apples in this dish!) I also added walnuts for an additional crunch. Don’t forget the caramelized onions and fragrant sage. Mmmm.

Apple Bacon Shredded Brussels Sprouts

There’s a fun fact. Initially, I was going to make this dish with turkey sausage (Totally makes sense, right?) a week earlier. I even bought a package of sausage for two different recipes. Are you wondering what happened to my initial idea?

A cat happened! I was shooting something outside on the balcony while a black cat appeared in the driveway. When it saw me, it stopped and started to meow.

Then it decided to make a better eye contact with me and climbed the stairs. It was basically stalking me!

But seriously, when I saw the eyes of this cute little dude which was demanding some food, the only one thing I thought of was the sausages.

As a result, I was two sausages short. Since making these sprouts with only 3 sausages didn’t make much sense (Try finding them among these sneaky veggies!), I decided to make it next time.

However, while making groceries (And certainly intending to pick more turkey sausage), I found bacon on a very attractive sale. Even though I rarely buy regular bacon (I prefer chicken or turkey), I opted for it cause it would bring such a deep flavor. After all, this is Thanksgiving – time for a little indulgent.

So, this is my little story about how one cute black cat contributed to creating the recipe. Thus, I believe that would be only fair to give it credit and post some pictures too:)

Happy Thanksgiving, my Canadian friends!

And check out some other similar ideas:

Chestnut Cranberry Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cranberries

Maple Glazed Brussel Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts Mash

6 thoughts on “Apple Bacon Shredded Brussels Sprouts

  1. Laura says:

    Oh my gosh, that cat is adorable! We love Brussels sprouts here, and often roast them with bacon and balsamic, but I think the addition of apples is genius! Thanks for the recipe!

  2. Katherine | Love In My Oven says:

    That’s a very cute little cat!! It actually reminds me of the cat we had growing up – we named him “Mr. French” haha. I don’t blame you at all for sacrificing some sausage!! Happy Thanksgiving to you, Ben! My Mom is cooking up a storm for us to enjoy tomorrow night, and I wish I’d seen this sooner or I’d sent it to her with a little nudge. I’ll have to try it on my own then soon!! Cheers, friend!

  3. Marissa says:

    What a softy you are! That sweet kitty would have charmed me out of my sausages too. ;) I’d have to name him Charlie because that darling face reminds me of Charlie Chaplan!

    I’m the same way about apples in savory dishes, sometimes I like them and sometimes not. As you said, it’s all about the type of apple and not overcooking it. So this dish of yours looks just perfect to me.

  4. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says:

    That’s such a cute little cat! I wouldn’t have been able to resist feeding it either :). And I think apple recipes are welcome all year, so don’t worry about being a little tardy to the apple party. Brussels are one of my favorite veggies so I’m going to be making these very soon. Yum! Have a great weekend, and say hi to your kitten friend from Cookie and me!

  5. neil@neilshealthymeals.com says:

    Ben, I saw the title of yor recipe, Apple Bacon Shredded Brussels Sprouts and immediately thought of Christmas! And indeed, you are one step ahead of me with your festive recipes albeit this one is for your Thanksgiving on Monday. I’ll save this until December as we don’t have a Thanksgiving, but in the meantime enjoy yours on Monday! :-)

    Ps Cute cat. And licking its lips too. Ha ha!

  6. David @ Spiced says:

    Haha! I love that you included photos of the black cat here. I’ve always heard that a black cat crossing your path is bad luck, but in your case it was good luck…it led to bacon, which in turn led to these apple bacon Brussels. I can totally get behind all of the flavors you’ve got going on here, too! The sweetness from the apple + saltiness from the bacon would make a great combo when combined with the Brussels. Love it! I say you should take this as inspiration and buy more bacon. :-) Also, you should adopt that cat and name it Bacon Bit.
    David @ Spiced recently posted…Spinach Artichoke Stuffed French BreadMy Profile

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