Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts With Bacon
Published Mar 01, 2024
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Why cook Brussels sprouts in oil when you can cook them in rich, smoky bacon fat? My recipe for Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts With Bacon produces the best-tasting Brussels sprouts around!
One of the tricks to my recipe is that I cut the Brussels sprouts in half, giving them a larger surface area. This allows them to cook more evenly and absorb more of that delicious bacon grease. If you’ve never taken advantage of bacon fat in this way, get ready to discover a new world of flavor.
With this recipe, the Brussels sprouts turn golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside. When paired with seasonings and delicious bacon, you have a side dish that you can use in all sorts of ways. Serve it with Pan Seared Ribeye Steak, Herb Roasted Duck, Roasted Boneless Leg Of Lamb, or Pan Seared Lamb Chops.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Brussels Sprouts With Bacon
- It is simple yet sophisticated. This side dish can be on the table in just 15 minutes with just a handful of ingredients. Despite the recipe’s simplicity, you’ll be amazed at how flavorful and satisfying it is.
- It doesn’t require any special equipment. All you need is one skillet to get the job done! You don’t need a deep fryer or special tools since you can pan-fry the ingredients instead.
- Even picky eaters enjoy it. This recipe lets you see Brussels sprouts in a new light! Even those who aren’t the biggest fans of the vegetable will surely enjoy it. There’s just something about the combination of crunchy bacon, seasonings, and tender Brussels sprouts that makes it downright delicious.
Ingredients Needed
You won’t believe how short the ingredient list is for this amazing side dish! Here is all you need, aside from salt and pepper:
- Bacon: the rich, smoky flavor and the crispy texture complement the earthy Brussels sprouts. More importantly, the bacon grease penetrates the vegetables to give them a deeper flavor while preventing them from sticking to the pan.
- Brussels Sprouts: For the best quality, use fresh Brussels sprouts. If you must use frozen, allow them to thaw first. However, they might not taste as fresh.
- Onion Powder: This versatile seasoning is an effortless way to add more depth to the dish without having to chop up a fresh onion.
The exact measurements for the ingredients are in the recipe card below!
How To Make Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts With Bacon
- Cut bacon and fry it in a skillet until golden.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet; set aside on a paper-towel-lined plate.
- Add the halved Brussels sprouts to the skillet with the bacon grease.
- Toss to coat the vegetables and cook covered on low.
- Add seasonings and continue cooking the Brussels sprouts until golden.
- Put the bacon back in the pan and toss everything well. Then, serve!
Substitutions and Variations
I encourage you to have fun with this pan fried Brussels sprouts recipe and modify it to your liking! Here are some variations you can try out:
- Pancetta: If you would rather use pancetta instead of bacon, you can certainly do so. Since pancetta is not smoked like bacon, it has a unique flavor that is less sweet and smoky (but meatier). Typically, it is cured with spices such as juniper, nutmeg, black pepper, and salt. Therefore, you may need to reduce the salt and pepper in this recipe when using it.
- Dried Fruits or Nuts: Walnuts, pecans, and dried cranberries are common accompaniments to Brussels sprout side dishes. The fruit and nuts create a symphony of various flavors and textures!
- Make it spicy. You can always add cayenne or red pepper flakes if you want hints of spiciness in your Brussels sprouts. Just remember that a little goes a long way.
- Add some garlic. Who doesn’t love garlic? It is one of those ingredients that is impressively adaptable! You can add fresh minced garlic halfway through cooking the Brussels sprouts, just long enough to make the garlic fragrant and nutty.
- Balsamic Vinegar: For a rich yet tangy addition, add some balsamic vinegar to the pan when adding the Brussels sprouts. It will reduce and slightly thicken, coating the vegetables and creating a glaze. You can also simply drizzle balsamic onto the Brussels sprouts when serving!
Chef’s Tips
- Choose a skillet that is large enough. You don’t want to crowd the pan because the vegetables will cook unevenly. Make sure to use a pan where you can comfortably toss the ingredients.
- Want to get ahead of the game? You can prep the ingredients in advance. Chop the Brussels sprouts and store them in a sealed container until you make the recipe. You can also chop and cook the bacon beforehand, as long as you save the grease for later!
- Cutting off the Brussels sprouts’ bottom stem is optional. They are edible, but not everyone enjoys the texture. Thick stalks can be tough and chewy, so it is up to you and what your Brussels looks like!
How To Pick The Best Brussels Sprouts
If you are new to cooking with Brussels sprouts, you might wonder what to look for when buying them. To select the best ones, you should examine their appearance and texture.
In terms of color, they should have a bright green shade. Avoid ones with blemishes such as discoloration, dry texture, or holes. You can gently squeeze them to make sure they are firm.
You can use either small or larger ones, but it’s best to cook sprouts of similar sizes so they cook evenly.
Smaller Brussels sprouts tend to be on the sweeter side. You might find that larger ones are slightly bitter, and more cabbage-like but either is fine for this recipe since they are cooked on low and with bacon fat and seasonings; it brings out their best qualities!
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
If this recipe used whole Brussels sprouts, or if you were deep frying them, I might suggest doing so. The high temperature of deep frying can result in the exterior cooking too quickly (while the interior remains undercooked).
However, since the Brussels sprouts are halved and cooked over low heat in this pan-fried recipe, they can cook more evenly, resulting in a better internal texture. So, boiling them isn’t necessary!
If you can’t achieve a nice golden color on the Brussels sprouts, it could be because you didn’t save enough bacon grease in the pan. If the sprouts don’t have enough fat, it is hard for them to get color on the outside or turn crispy. You might also just need to cook them longer!
You’ll know the Brussels sprouts are entirely cooked depending on their texture. To check, take a fork and pierce one of the Brussels sprouts.
If it is fork tender, the utensil should easily glide into the vegetable, and there shouldn’t be much resistance. They should still have a slight firmness, though. You don’t want them to get soggy!
More Side Dishes You’ll Love
If you make this recipe please leave a star rating below. Your rating helps others find the recipe plus I love hearing from you! Thank you!
Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts With Bacon
Ingredients
- ½ pound bacon
- 1 pound brussels sprouts each cut in half lengthwise
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cut bacon into 1-inch pieces.
- Fry bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden. Remove from pan and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave half of the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Add the halved Brussels sprouts to the same skillet and toss to ensure the grease coats the Brussels sprouts. Cook covered on low heat for about 5 minutes.
- Add the onion powder and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Cook while stirring from time to time until Brussels sprouts are golden.
- Add back bacon to the pan and toss to combine. Serve.
I made this recipe last night. I had a craving for something green. The dish was delicious. My husband and family loved it. Cooked perfectly. I used the exact amount of everything however I feel I should have used more brussels sprouts. I had way more bacon than brussels sprouts. Leftovers for lunch at work today will be great. Thanks for your delicious recipes.
Thank you for the feedback! I like it with half a pound of bacon, but you can always adjust the recipe to suit your taste. Have an amazing day.