One bite of these grilled brussels sprouts turns you into a brussels sprouts lover forever! With each bite of the brussels sprouts, you get the rich smokiness of the crisp bacon, sweet pops of the savory onions and garlic, and the tangy barbecue sauce that rounds out the grilled flavor you crave.
The brussels sprouts are grilled in a cast iron pan with rendered bacon fat, onions, garlic, and a bbq spice blend until tender. Once tender, bbq sauce and crispy bacon are added to the brussels sprouts making them impossible to resist. So much better than boring roasted brussels sprouts in the oven.
Best of all, you don’t have to fumble around with metal or wooden skewers or foil packets because they cook over an open flame in a cast iron pan.
Brussels sprouts are a fall vegetable that makes for a quick and easy side dish for camping or to accompany your smoked turkey at Thanksgiving or Christmas.
David loves frozen microwaveable brussels sprouts. Supposedly they are “broiled in butter,” ha! I’ve never been able to tolerate the smell, much less eat one. I finally tried raw brussels sprouts a few years ago and found out I loved them when I made Apple Pecan Brussels Sprout Salad for the first time. However, we both agree on this grilled brussels sprouts recipe.
How To Purchase Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts can either be found in your local grocery store packaged or still on the stalk. Always go for brussels sprouts still on the stalk. They are fresher on the stalk and usually are a set price versus weight.
Typically, about two pounds of brussels sprouts on a 2-4 foot stalk of brussels sprouts. When shopping for brussels sprouts, look for the following:
- Bright green heads that are firm and heavy for their size.
- Tightly packed leaves that are not yellow and do not have black spots.
- Smaller brussels sprouts are usually sweeter and more tender than larger ones.
Learn more about brussels sprouts [HERE].
The Advantage of Grilling Brussels Sprouts Outdoors!
Although brussels sprouts are delicious, pardon me for my bluntness, they can smell like ass due to the rich hydrogen sulfide gases emitted when cooking them—grilling them outside so your house won’t stink. That is definitely a plus, especially when you may have friends and family coming over this holiday season.
What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe
This recipe is a quick grill recipe, so it’s important to have all your equipment and ingredients prepared and ready to go before you light the grill.
Helpful Equipment:
- Large Cast Iron Skillet
- Grilling Gloves or Oven Mitt
- Spatula or Tongs
Ingredients:
The recipe card at the end of this post provides detailed measurements of the ingredients.
- Bacon: you will only need four strips of bacon, so you don’t need to buy anything really expensive. Any variety or thickness will work for this recipe. Use your favorite.
- Onion: use whatever kind of onion you have on hand. We use yellow onion for this recipe.
- Brussels Sprouts: use fresh brussels sprouts if you can find them, preferably still on the stalk. You’ll need to remove the outer leaves trim the stem end, and cut each brussels sprout in half.
- Garlic: fresh minced garlic.
- BBQ Dry Rub: we use our all-purpose pork dry rub recipe to season the brussels sprouts. Use your favorite rub recipe or try one in our collection of rub recipes.
- Barbecue Sauce: you’ll only need about ½ cup of your favorite bbq sauce.
- Seasoning: Kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.
How To Make Grilled Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and BBQ Sauce
Here’s a basic overview of how to grill brussels sprouts. Follow these five easy steps to grill brussels sprouts. The recipe card at the end of this post provides detailed instructions with times and temperatures.
Step 1 Set Up The Grill: prepare the grill for direct heat. Preheat a cast-iron skillet over direct heat.
Step 2 Cook The Bacon: Cook the bacon until it’s crisp, about 2-4 minutes. Drain the bacon and retain the fat inside the pan.
Step 3 Grill: Toss the onions and brussels sprouts in the bacon fat. Add the garlic and sprinkle with the dry rub. Toss to coat. Cover the grill with the lid and grill the brussels sprouts for about 15 minutes or until tender. Add the bacon and grill for about 5 minutes longer.
Step 4 Season: Remove the brussels sprouts from the grill and season with salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste.
Step 5 Serve: Transfer the brussels sprouts to a serving bowl. Serve hot with an extra drizzle of bbq sauce if desired.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, add the brussels sprouts to a skillet on the stove and heat over medium heat until warm. Or microwave for 1 minute. Stir and heat in 30-second intervals until warm.
Tips for Grilling Brussels Sprouts
- This is a quick grill recipe, so it’s important to have all your ingredients prepared and ready to go before you light the grill.
- Use caution adding seasoning. The bacon and barbecue sauce may be enough seasoning. Taste before seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Top with parmesan cheese if desired.
Recipe FAQs
No, but salting brussels sprouts may take some of the bitterness out. Soak them in salt water for 20 minutes and drain well. We only rinse them.
Cutting the brussels sprouts in half reduces cooking time and makes them easier to eat.
Yes. You do not have to thaw them, but it may take a little longer to cook them to get them tender.
We hope you enjoy this recipe this holiday season!
Grilled Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and BBQ Sauce
Useful Equipment:
Ingredients
- 4 strips bacon
- 1 onion diced
- 1 pound brussels sprouts cut in half with stems trimmed
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- BBQ Spice Rub use your favorite bbq rub
- ½ cup barbecue sauce use your favorite
- parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Set up the grill for direct heat. Preheat a cast-iron skillet over direct heat.
- Add the bacon to the skillet and cook until the bacon is crisp; about 2-4 minutes.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet and allow it to drain on paper towels, reserving the bacon fat in the pan.
- Stir in the onions, brussels sprouts, tossing them around in the bacon fat. Add the garlic and bbq spice blend. Toss to coat.
- Cover the grill with the lid and grill the brussels sprouts for about 15 minutes, or until tender.
- Dice up the bacon and add it to the brussels sprouts and pour in the bbq sauce. Cook for another 5-10 minutes with the lid on.
- Remove the brussels sprouts from the grill. Season with salt and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste. Stir well.
- Transfer the brussels sprouts to a serving bowl. Serve hot with an extra drizzle of bbq sauce if desired.
Notes
- Bright green heads that are firm and heavy for their size.
- Tightly packed leaves that are not yellow and should not have black spots.
- Smaller Brussels sprouts are usually sweeter and more tender than larger ones.
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