Brussels Sprouts Gratin

This creamy Brussels Sprouts Gratin with bacon is the ultimate side dish. It’s topped with nutty Gruyere cheese and crisp buttery breadcrumbs making it an impressive side dish for the holidays, entertaining or any special occasion.

Easy Brussels Sprouts Gratin Recipe

Brussels sprouts don’t always make the holiday side dish shortlist, mostly because they’ve earned a reputation for being bland or bitter when they’re not cooked properly. But this recipe turns them into a rich, flavorful and downright irresistible side dish.

With crispy bacon and melty Gruyère cheese, the brussels sprouts become a truly elevated dish that’s perfect alongside chicken, pork, steak, or your holiday favorites like Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing upgrade foe any special occasion.

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make Brussel Sprout Au Gratin with Bacon Recipe: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Brussels Sprouts – Two pounds fresh brussels sprouts.
• Bacon – Crispy bacon for a smoky flavor.
• Onion and Garlic – Sweet onion and garlic amp up the flavor.
• Butter – Salted or unsalted butter for richness.
• Liquid – Chicken stock or chicken broth and heavy cream form the easy cheese sauce.
• Spices – Salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes.
• Herbs – Fresh thyme adds a fresh earhty flavor.
• Cheese – Gruyere or white cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese for a melty cheesy texture.
• Breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs for crunch.

How to Make the BEST Brussels Sprouts Gratin Recipe

• Heat Oven – Preheat oven to 375 degrees f. 
• Fry Bacon – In a large 12-inch oven safe skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crispy reserve bacon fat in pan. Drain bacon on a paper towel-lined plate, then chop.
• Sauté Onion – Cook onion in bacon fat and butter with the garlic.
• Brussel Sprouts and Seasonings – Add chicken stock, brussels sprouts, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and thyme. Cook over medium heat uncovered until fork tender.
• Make the Gruyere Cheese Sauce – Remove from heat and drizzle with heavy cream, then sprinkle evenly with Gruyere and bacon.
• Breadcrumbs – Toss panko bread crumbs and Parmesan with butter, sprinkle mixture on top.
• Oven – Place into the oven and bake per the baking time until cheese is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
• Serve – Let stand 5 minutes, then serve garnished with additional thyme.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Brussel Sprout Au Gratin with Bacon

• Sharp knife and cutting board.
• Oven safe large skillet, I used a 12-inch cast iron skillet.
• Measuring cup and measuring spoons.
• Medium bowl and small bowl.
• Cheese grater.
• Garlic press.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Fresh Herbs – You could use fresh rosemary, parsley or chives in place of thyme.
• Onion – You can use sweet onion or shallots in place of red onion.
• Bacon – If you want to keep this dish meat free you can use olive oil or vegetable oil to saute the onion.
• Flavor – Larger brussels sprouts tend to take on more of a cabbage flavor. Smaller, means they’re apt to be less bitter when prepared properly.
• Prep the Brussels Sprouts – Trim the ends of the Brussel sprouts removing the woody end and pluck any yellowing leaves before cooking for the best flavor.
• Use Fresh Brussels Sprouts – When making delicious to eat brussels sprouts, it begins with the sprouts themselves. When choosing them look for compact leaves and a bright green color. Yellowing or brown spots are signs they aren’t fresh.
• Other Uses for Brussels Sprouts – You can also shred raw brussels sprouts to make a salad and dress it with a sweet and tangy vinaigrette, much like you would a vinegar based slaw. In this instance, we’re halving them and cooking them in chicken stock until tender then combining with the remaining ingredients to make the cheesy gratin.

Storage and Leftovers

• Make-Ahead Tip – You can fully assemble this dish and finish in the oven just before serving. When doing so, give it ample time on the counter, around 15-20 minutes to warm to room temperature and extend the baking time as needed. This would only be suitable when baking in a baking dish, I don’t advise storing or chilling overnight in cast iron unless it’s enamel coated.
• Leftovers – Store Brussels Sprouts Bacon Gratin in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating – Reheat in single servings in the microwave, in a 350°F air fryer or preheated 350°F oven just until heated through and the topping is crisped.
• Freezer – Can you freeze Brussels Sprouts Gratin? Yes, you can! Omit the topping. After making the filling, cool completely then cover tightly with foil. Pop it into the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then pour into a baking dish or oven safe skillet and cover with the breadcrumb topping and bake per the recipe. 

More Holiday Side Dish Recipes to Make

• Sweet and spicy Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts made in the oven.
• Streusel topped Sweet Potato Casserole is a Thanksgiving must make.
• Free up oven space with this easy Crockpot Cornbread Dressing.
• No canned soups need to make homemade Green Bean Casserole.
• Become a bread making extraordinaire with this recipe for Easy No Knead Yeast Rolls.
• Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bundles can be assembled in advance and baked just before serving.
• Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole is always a crowd pleaser!
• Creamy Easy Mashed Potatoes.
• Roasted Carrots and Parsnips from Family Favorite Recipes.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Large Skillet
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Set
• Garlic Press