Have you ever craved Brussels sprouts? You will once you’ve tried these Brussels sprouts with bacon! Trust me when I say that these steal the spotlight anytime they’re served.
What Makes These the Best Brussels Sprouts with Bacon?
These amped-up Brussels sprouts are small but mighty — there’s a lot to love about them!
- Pretty presentation. These sprouts pack a punch of color on any plate. They look so good that who knows? Maybe your kids might even try them!
- Full of flavor. I don’t mind brussels sprouts on their own but there is something about adding bacon to them that just makes me want more! It introduces a whole new smoky, salty flavor that our family absolutely loves! We also use a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
- Super simple. All it takes is one pan and a little time to whip up this easy side.
Ingredients
These ingredients are easy to find in the store and come together to make a side dish that will surprise even the pickiest eaters!
- Center Cut Bacon – Before cooking, thinly slice the bacon into even-sized pieces.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – If there is not enough bacon grease to coat the Brussels sprouts, you may need to add just a bit of olive oil.
- Shallot – Chop the shallot into small, uniformly sized pieces so that they cook evenly.
- Fresh Garlic Cloves – Fresh cloves of garlic are the way to go for this dish. With so few ingredients, you want to make sure to have the highest quality, and fresh garlic is always superior to the jarred variety or the powder.
- Brussels Sprouts – Be sure to use fresh Brussels sprouts. The frozen varieties are usually too mushy for a dish like this one.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth – Since the bacon has plenty of salt, I like to use a low-sodium broth to avoid over-salting the dish.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper – Just a bit of black pepper adds a subtle heat that balances the dish.
- Parmesan Cheese – Nutty parmesan adds another layer of flavor. Always use freshly grated for the best taste.
Variations
There are plenty of ways you can make these brussels sprouts with bacon your own.
- Sweetness – Balance the saltiness of bacon with the sweetness of a balsamic glaze or drizzle of pure maple syrup.
- Acidity – Add an element of acidity with pickled red onions, preserved lemon or a splash of vinegar or lemon juice.
- Heat – Give these Brussels sprouts a spicy kick with diced, fresh jalapenos, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper, or a dash of hot sauce.
- Bacon – Switch up the type of bacon that you choose to use! Applewood smoked, peppered, and jalapeno bacon will all change the flavor profile distinctly or even pancetta!
- Vegetable – If Brussels sprouts are truly a hard sell in your house, you can substitute another vegetable like fresh green beans instead.
How to Make Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
This simple side dish is a breeze to make — you’ll be in and out of the kitchen in nearly no time.
- Cook bacon. Place the bacon in a large skillet and cook until browned.
- Drain. Transfer the bacon to a plate or baking sheet that has been lined with paper towels.
- Cook shallots and garlic. Place the shallots in the skillet with the bacon grease and sauté briefly before adding the garlic.
- Cook brussels sprouts. After sauteing the garlic, place the Brussels sprouts in the pan and stir to combine with the bacon fat, adding olive oil if necessary.
- Add broth. Continue to sauté for several minutes before adding the chicken broth and reducing the heat.
- Add bacon and pepper. Once the liquid is almost entirely reduced and the Brussels sprouts are tender, add the cooked bacon and black pepper.
- Garnish and serve. Transfer to a bowl and serve garnished with grated parmesan cheese.
Make it a Meal!
These Brussels sprouts are a side dish that goes with nearly any savory meal. Serve them alongside chicken, beef, pork, and seafood. Some of my favorites include broccoli cheese stuffed chicken, pan fried steaks, baked Tuscan chicken breasts and garlic butter salmon.
When we’re looking for a hot dish to serve at cookouts or potlucks, we turn to this one, too. They’re perfect when paired with hamburgers and other sandwiches and grilled steak, pork chops or curry barbecue chicken.
Storage and Freezing
In our house, there aren’t usually leftovers of this delicious side dish! But if you find yourself with some, you can easily store them for a few days.
If needed, you can make the bacon ahead of time and store it for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. Be sure to save the bacon grease, too, in a separate jar.
How to Store These Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Once cooled to room temperature, transfer leftover Brussels sprouts to an airtight container and store them for 2-3 days in the fridge.
Can I Freeze These Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Freeze Brussels sprouts in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. To minimize the sprouts sticking together, you may want to place them on a sheet pan in a single layer and flash freeze them before transferring them to more permanent storage in the freezer.
More Vegetable Recipes
There are so any delicious ways to make vegetables. Here are a few of our favorites.
Rainbow Carrots with Ricotta Topping
Classic Wedge Salad
Crispy Parmesan Artichoke Hearts
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6-8 slices center cut bacon , thinly sliced
- 1-2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil , if needed
- 1 shallot , chopped
- 3-4 cloves fresh garlic
- 1 1/2 pound brussels sprouts , trimmed and halved
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese , freshly grated
Instructions
- Brown bacon in a large skillet. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate. Let the rendered bacon grease remain in the skillet.
- Add the shallots saute for 1 minute. Stir in the garlic, sauteing for another minute. Add the Brussels sprouts and coat with the rendered bacon fat. If there isn't enough to coat, add the additional 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Saute for 2-3 minutes until they turn a bright green.
- Pour the chicken broth over the Brussels sprouts. Reduce heat to a low simmer and allow the liquid to reduce until nearly gone.
- Toss the bacon back into mixture and season with the black pepper.
- Transfer to the serving bowl and top with the freshly grated parmesan cheese.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how you like them in the comments or star ratings.
Nutrition
These are delicious!
What does “remove any pooled bacon fat” mean exactly? Remove the bacon grease from the pan? Or are you talking about on the plate with the cooked bacon?
Hi Amy! Yep, just drain any excess fat, you want enough to add flavor and get those sprouts crispy, but not so much that they get soggy.