Description
A delicious and savory Maple Bacon Brussels, Pear and Blue Cheese Salad combining crispy bacon, tender maple-glazed Brussels sprouts, sweet pear slices, and tangy blue cheese for a perfect balance of flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Bacon and Brussels Sprouts
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, stems removed and sliced
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Salad Toppings
- 1 large ripe pear, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the chopped bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crispy, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel to drain excess grease.
- Sauté the Brussels sprouts: Add the sliced Brussels sprouts to the bacon grease in the skillet and stir to coat. Cook until the sprouts start to soften, about 5 minutes. Then stir in the maple syrup and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Season and combine: Season the Brussels sprouts with salt and black pepper. Add the cooked bacon back into the skillet along with half of the crumbled blue cheese. Stir gently to combine all ingredients well.
- Assemble the salad: Transfer the Brussels sprouts mixture to a plate or bowl. Arrange the thinly sliced pear on top. Optionally, add a sprinkle of black pepper for extra flavor. Finally, crumble the remaining blue cheese over the salad as a finishing touch.
Notes
- Use thick-cut bacon for best texture and flavor.
- You can substitute maple syrup with honey if desired.
- For a milder cheese flavor, reduce the amount of blue cheese or replace with feta.
- Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
- Brussels sprouts can be steamed slightly before sautéing if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/3 of recipe)
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
