What’s the best way to cook Brussel sprouts? Smoke the Brussel sprouts on the grill and add bacon. It’s a really tasty smoking side dish.
Like so many foods, Brussel sprouts taste much better with smoke flavour. They also pair incredibly well with salty, smoky bacon.
Some people complain that Brussel sprouts can be a little bitter, or even too tough. This delicious recipe for Brussel sprouts on the grill is neither of those two things.
We are going to cook them in the pan on the hob for a short time first and then smoke them slow and low at 225°F for around 45 minutes.
Brussel Sprouts on the Grill Step 1 – Make the Dry Rub
Dry Rub Ingredients
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Optional – 1/4 teaspoon chilli powder if you like heat
To make the rub, simply combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. If there are any clumps or lumps smooth them out with a fork or spoon.
Brussel sprouts on the Grill Step 2 Prepare the Sprouts & Bacon
You will need:
1 kg bag of Brussel sprouts
4 slices of bacon
A little butter or oil for frying
Cut all your Brussel sprouts in half and chop 4 slices of bacon into 2cm sized pieces.
Brussel sprouts on the Grill Step 3 – Cook for 5 Minutes in the Pan
Place them in a pan with a little butter or oil over a medium heat for around 5 minutes, until they are just beginning to soften.
Brussel sprouts on the Grill Step 4 – Smoke for 45 Minutes at 225°F
Now it’s time to transfer the Brussels and bacon to the smoker.
Get your smoker of choice up to 225°F. We like to use the Pit Boss Wood Pellet Navigator but you can use whatever you have.
We like to use a lighter fruit wood for vegetables, such as apple or cherry. Hickory is also a good option if you like a stronger smoke taste.
Transfer the sprouts and bacon to a cast iron pot (or other heatproof pan). Dust the sprouts evenly and all over with the dry rub.
Use to cook the sprouts and bacon in the smoker over indirect heat. Pull the lid down and smoke for around 45 minutes altogether.
You may wish to spritz your Brussel sprouts with a little apple cider vinegar or butter about halfway through the smoke, if you are worried about them drying out.
You can also brush them with a little BBQ sauce, or serve with BBQ sauce on the side when they are cooked, depending on your preference.
Serve as a delicious smoking side dish, with your main event – brisket, ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken or venison.
If you enjoyed this article you could also try this classic smoking side dish ‘Smoked Mac and Cheese with Bacon.’
Or our ‘Pasta Salad Recipe.’
If you would smoked meat recipes and ideas try our ‘Top 10 Meats For Smoking Article.’
Recommended reading for Brussel Sprouts on the Grill:
https://www.delish.com/uk/cooking/recipes/a33319526/grilled-brussels-sprouts-recipe/
