Brussel sprouts with bacon has a delicious flavor that will make you come back for second and third helpings! Adding bacon is the perfect addition to this side dish recipe that is simple and loved by all.
We are brussel sprouts converts, which we mean we have been cooking them up like crazy! If you love them too, be sure to check out our other recipes: Roasted brussel sprouts, Parmesan brussel sprouts and caramelized brussel sprouts.
Brussel Sprouts and Bacon = tasty!
Bacon is my #1 love. Bacon pairs well with pretty much any food. Donuts? Yes. On top of burgers? Yes. Sprinkled over salads? You know it. And my new favorite these days – chopped and thrown together with Brussel sprouts (our new favorite veggie)!
Today’s recipe includes the beloved bacon and will get you not only eating your greens but loving them too. I bet even your pickiest kid would enjoy this dish. Try it and see!
Brussel sprouts often get a bad rap. When cooked incorrectly they can become soggy and stinky. On the flip side when cooked correctly they will have an appealing beautiful green color, a slightly crisp texture and bright almost nutty flavor.
And we love to make them for the holidays! This is the best side dish to make alongside your turkey dinner. It’s pretty easy to make and I love the vibrant colors. Plus it tastes amazing. So you should definitely try to make this Brussel sprouts and bacon recipe for Thanksgiving (or any dinner) this year.
How to Make Bacon Brussel Sprouts
To prep the sprouts for cooking you’ll first want to wash them. You can rinse them under lukewarm water and pat dry. If you have a bit more time try submerging them for 10 minutes in a bowl of lukewarm water. Adding 1 tsp of baking soda for every 2 cups of water will help clean them more thoroughly then water alone. Keep in mind, if you choose to soak them you’ll need to allow extra time for the excess water to drain out of them.
Thick cut bacon is my favorite. In a large skillet, cook the bacon until it’s crispy over medium heat. Is there anything better than the smell of bacon cooking on the stove? Nope. Let the bacon cool on paper towels and then chop into small pieces.
In the same pan with the bacon fat, melt your butter over high heat. Add the chopped onions (optional) and Brussel sprouts and mix around. Cook until the Brussel sprouts are golden brown. This will take about 12-15 minutes. Make sure to stir the mixture around occasionally. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. Then add the bacon pieces back into the pan. Toss everything together and serve!
recipe notes, Tips + FAQ
For even more flavor, add some minced garlic while cooking the Brussel Sprouts. 😉 And then if you want these to even a higher level of delicious flavor, think about adding these on top:
- Drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette reduction
- Shredded Parmesan or Mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
We know some people like their brussel sprouts extra crispy, and if that’s the case drain some of the fat before cooking or broil the sprouts for a few minutes at the very end.
Leftovers: Store leftover sprouts in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in a skillet on the stove or on a baking sheet in the oven. Heat until warm. You can also crisp them up under a broiler.
Serve with: Here are just a few of the recipes we like to make with our brussel sprouts…
I admit we haven’t been Brussel Sprout fans for long, but we LOVE making our Roasted Brussel Sprouts. If you want to change things up, I recommend trying them with bacon. They are softer and not as crisp as our roasted version, but they’re just as good – or better!
We hope you enjoy them. 😀
For more delicious side dishes, check out:
- Glazed Carrots
- Parmesan Baked Asparagus
- Roasted Broccoli
- Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Brussel Sprouts and Bacon Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 strips thick cut bacon
- 2 TB butter
- 1 lb brussel sprouts halved
- 1/2 lg onion chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Let cool on a paper towel then chop to small pieces.
- In the same pan with bacon fat, melt butter over high heat. Add chopped onions and Brussels Sprouts. Cook until sprouts are golden brown, 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, to taste
- Add bacon back into pan, toss and serve.
Notes
- DIFFICULTY: easy
- HOW MANY DOES IT FEED: 4-6
- ANY CHANGES MADE: cooked 5 minutes longer
- ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT TIME: none
One of the few brussel sprout recipes that my family enjoys, thank you!
Brussels sprouts are a new favorite of mine & of course, adding bacon makes them even better! The bacon adds so much flavor!
My hubby & i love these! They are a perfect side to so many things! The bacon adds delicious flavor to the brussels sprouts.
Two of my favorite food in one dish! Super yummy!
Veggies with bacon. Such a great taste together.
I didn’t like sprouts until I tried your recipe for roasted sprouts. I’ll have to give these bacon ones a try.