Savory Smoked Brussels Sprouts With Bacon + Balsamic Glaze

Whip up these savory smoked brussels sprouts for the winning side at your next barbecue. Crispy bacon and tangy balsamic glaze take these smoked brussel sprouts to the next level. 

This smoked brussels sprouts recipe caters to a wide variety of dietary preferences and food restrictions. It is the perfect low carb keto snack. Swap the bacon for toasted peanuts for a great vegan/vegetarian option for those who stay away from meat and animal products.

Tips + Tricks

• If you are smoking brussels sprouts in advance and plan on reheating them, cook them for around 45-50 minutes… a little more el dente to ensure that the grilled sprouts don’t turn to mush.
• Larger brussel sprouts will have looser leaves and take on a cabbage flavor and consistency whereas smaller brussel sprouts will be tender and sweet. Opt for small brussel sprouts for this recipe.
• This recipe is made using a pellet grill but any type of smoker including charcoal smokers, electric smokers, and offset smokers will work to smoke brussels sprouts as long as they are grilled over indirect heat.
• Trim any woody ends that are left on the sprouts and remove yelloweds or blemished leaves.

Best Pellets For Smoked Brussel Sprouts

When smoking vegetables milder wood flavors such as maple, oak, pecan, and different fruit woods are suggested.

If you prefer a strong smoke flavor for your grilled brussel sprouts, hickory pellets (or chips) are the way to go! Normally hickory is reserved for red meats and dishes that can handle stronger flavors but because the many layers of leaves on the Brussels sprouts, hickory is an appropriate wood type to use.

I am not a pellet purist- I simply use whatever wood flavor I have in the hopper.

Key Ingredients

Brussels Sprouts: Choose two pounds of fresh brussel sprouts that are uniform in size.

Bacon: It is important to choose “raw” bacon for this recipe because it is the rendered bacon fat that helps to coat and cook the brussel sprouts. If you only have precooked bacon, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, avocado oil, or another suitable cooking oil to toss the sprouts in before smoking.

Montreal Steak Spice: I LOVE Montreal steak spice for a lot of my smoked recipes– the garlic, onion, ground black pepper and salt perfectly complement the bacon and brussel sprouts. Choose your favorite barbecue rub if you don’t have Montreal Steak Spice.

Onion: Finely dice half of a medium onion or use 2 tablespoons of dehydrated onions.

Balsamic Glaze: I love Nonna Pia’s Balsamic Glaze. You can also make your own balsamic glaze reduction by following this simple recipe by Cafe Delites. Alternately, you can use barbecue sauce.

Exactly How To Make Smoked Brussel Sprouts

Step 1. Preheat your smoker to 300°F.

Step 2. Dice 1/2 pound bacon and sautee it over the stove in a heavy bottomed pan. Choose a pan grill safe pan. Cook until it is just starting to crisp and remove from heat.

Step 3. While the bacon is cooking, wash the 2 pounds of brussel sprouts and chop them in half, discarding any wilted leaves, yellow leaves or blemished pieces.

Step 4. Add the chopped sprouts to the bacon along with 2 tablespoons of Montreal steak spice and 1/2 finely diced onion. Toss until completely mixed and coated with the bacon grease.

Step 5. Place the sprouts on the smoker for 30 minutes, drizzle 1 tablespoon of balsamic glaze and stir, and smoke for another 30 minutes cook time or until the brussels sprouts are cooked to desired doneness (usually 60 minutes total time or until they are fork tender). Be careful not to overcook smoke brussels sprouts or they will take on a soggy mushy texture –not ideal!

Step 6. This dish can be taken straight from the smoker and placed onto your table in your cast iron skillet. Alternately, transfer to a serving dish. Drizzle with around 2 tablespoons of balsamic glaze and garnish with your favorite chopped nuts or seeds and large flaked parmesan for extra style and flavor points!

Flavor Variations

• Skip the balsamic glaze and choose your favorite barbecue sauce to drizzle on top of the brussel sprouts.
• Make this smoked side dish meat free by skipping the bacon and adding 2 tablespoons of oil and 3/4 cup of your favorite nuts or seeds.
• Add in chopped asparagus halfway through the cooking time (30 minutes) and use the toppings from this Loaded Traeger Asparagus.

What To Serve With Smoked Brussel Sprouts

Pair your smoked brussel sprouts with more great smoker recipes! If your smoked entree is cooked at a lower temperature, keep the brussel sprouts on for longer. Alternately, if the smoked entree is grilled at a higher temperature, check the sprouts after the 30 minute mark.

Smoked Brussel Sprouts Printable Recipe Card

Batch + Storage + Reheating Instructions

• This recipe makes enough for 8 servings.

• Smoked brussel sprouts are best eaten fresh! Consumed leftover sprouts within three days. Freeze cooked sprouts in an airtight container for up to twelve
• The best way to reheat your smoked brussel sprouts without them getting soggy is in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Once fully reheated, place the sprouts into the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes. If using the microwave, reheat the sprouts on high in 30 second increments, stirring and testing in between.

Smoked Brussel Sprouts Frequently Asked Questions

Pin It!