Brussel Sprouts With Bacon

Brussel sprouts, often misunderstood and underappreciated, have been given a new lease on life when paired with the irresistible allure of bacon. These tiny green orbs, once considered a dreaded vegetable by many, are transformed into an utterly delectable dish when cooked alongside crispy and savory bacon.

The combination of smoky flavors from the bacon and the slight bitterness of the brussel sprouts creates a harmonious balance that is both comforting and indulgent.

Brussel sprouts used to always intimidate me. I had no idea how to cook them and gave the idea of making them up until I discovered just how easy they are to make. Brussel sprouts with Bacon are full of flavor, and make an excellent side dish.

Even my family members who never eat any green vegetable love them, and that is saying something. They star of this dish is the bacon and all of the flavor they bring to this dish.

So if you’ve never been a fan of these humble vegetables, get ready to have your taste buds pleasantly surprised as we delve into the world of brussel sprouts with bacon – a match made in culinary heaven.

Brussel Sprouts With Bacon is a keto side dish and a baked brussel sprouts recipe. Crispy brussel sprouts are a must try.

Ingredients Needed To Make Brussel Sprouts With Bacon

Brussel sprouts and bacon go together like peanut butter and jelly.

1/2 Pound Bacon Cut into small pieces once cooked
1/2 Small White Onion Cut into small pieces prior to cooking. If you are not a fan of onions feel free to omit them.
1 Pound Brussel Sprouts Halved Approximately 2 dozen brussel sprouts
2 tbsp Butter or Olive Oil. Use whatever your preference is. And if there is enough bacon grease in the pan then that is a good option to use for sautéing as well.
Salt and Pepper to taste

How To Make Brussel Sprouts With Bacon

Prepare the Brussels Sprouts:

Trim the ends of the Brussels sprouts and remove any loose or discolored leaves.
Rinse them thoroughly under cold water and pat dry using a kitchen towel.
Cut each sprout in half lengthwise.

Cook the Bacon:

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the bacon slices and cook until they become crispy and golden brown on both sides.
Remove the cooked bacon from the pan, leaving behind some of its flavorful grease.

Sauté the Brussels Sprouts:

Using the same skillet with leftover bacon grease, add your choice of butter or olive oil if required. Heat it over medium-high heat.
Place the halved Brussels sprouts into the skillet cut-side down, ensuring they’re in a single layer.
Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
Once the brussel sprouts are cooked through add the bacon on top and serve.

Cooking Technique:
There are two options for cooking brussels sprouts mentioned below; choose one based on personal preference:
Option A: Pan-Searing Method
- Allow brussels sprouts to cook undisturbed for around 5 minutes or until they develop a caramelized brown crust on one side.Flip them over using a spatula and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, until they are tender yet still slightly firm.
Option B: Roasting Method
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Transfer the skillet with the Brussels sprouts into the preheated oven.
- Roast for about 15-20 minutes or until they become tender and lightly browned, stirring halfway through cooking.
- Remove the brussel sprouts from the oven when they are a golden brown color.

Tips for making Brussel Sprouts With Bacon

Use a Non-Stick Skillet with a lid to cook this dish in. Brussel sprouts tend to be tough and using a lid to steam them while they cook softens them up.

When cooking this bacon with brussel sprouts recipe I prefer to cook the onion and bacon in the skillet first. I leave the bacon grease in the skillet and coat the brussel sprouts in it when I add them to the pan. Doing this coats the pan to help keep the brussel sprouts from sticking.

The combination of the onion and bacon also provides great flavor to the brussel sprouts as they cook.

Make sure to brown the brussel sprouts. Cooking them all the way through is important but so is adding that crispy edge to the side of the brussel sprouts. It helps to add extra flavor to this side dish.

Season the brussel sprouts with salt and ground black pepper after they are done cooking. Bacon traditionally is salty and you want to avoid adding too much salt.

Brussel Sprouts In Bacon grease creates a crispy brussel sprouts side dish recipe that is low carb. Recipes for brussel sprouts with bacon are a must try.

Frequently Asked Questions

What meat pairs well with Brussel Sprouts?

Brussel sprouts with bacon is a great side dish that pairs perfectly with a variety of foods.

When it comes to pairing brussel sprouts with meat bacon is at the top of my list. Both flavors are complimentary to one another. Which is exactly why I have created this dish.

However, when it comes to looking for a main dish here are some that you can try.

I have an Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe that is sweet and tangy. It would be a perfect balance to the savory flavor of Brussel Sprouts with Bacon. My Air Fryer Pork Chop Recipe is also a great idea if you want to keep the pork them going.

Whether it is chicken, steak or pork shops these are a great addition to any meal. I love to add them to my Air Fryer Chicken Recipe. I can put my chicken in the air fryer and let it cook while the brussel sprouts are cooking on the stove. This saves time and allows me to focus on making my brussel sprouts perfect.

Should I parboil Brussel Sprouts before frying?

You may have heard of parboiling vegetables and are wondering what it is. Here is a brief explanation of what parboiling is and how to do it.

What is parboiling?
Parboiling refers to partially boiling vegetables or other ingredients before further cooking them using different techniques. It involves briefly immersing the food item in boiling water until it becomes slightly tender but still retains its shape and color.
Benefits of parboiling Brussels sprouts:

Even cooking: Due to their compact size, Brussels sprouts can sometimes cook unevenly when fried directly from raw. Parboiling ensures that each sprout cooks more evenly throughout.
Enhanced tenderness: Parboiling helps soften the tough outer leaves, resulting in a more tender texture after frying.
Reduced bitterness: Some find that parboiling helps reduce any potential bitterness in Brussels sprouts since it removes some bitter compounds during the blanching process.

How to parboil Brussels sprouts:
a) Prepare a pot of salted boiling water.
b) Trim any loose or discolored outer leaves from the sprouts.
c) Cut an “X” shape into the stem end of each Brussels sprout (optional; helps with even cooking).
d) Place the prepared Brussels sprouts into the boiling water and cook for about 3-4 minutes until they are just starting to become tender.
e) Remove the sprouts from the boiling water and immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
f) Once cooled, drain the sprouts thoroughly before proceeding with frying.

Why won’t my Brussel Sprouts get crispy?

To brown brussel sprouts and give them that nice charred taste they need to be cooked at a high heat. Coating them in a good quality oil also helps that process along.

One of the reasons this bacon with brussel sprouts is such an easy recipe to make is the fact that Bacon has such a flavorful grease that helps to coat the skillet. Pan frying brussel sprouts allows them to get that lovely charbroiled taste and texture.

For this recipe I cook the bacon first and use the left over grease from the bacon to coat and flavor the brussel sprouts. Cooking brussel sprouts in bacon grease helps to give them a golden color without sticking to the skillet. And the combination of flavors really makes this a true brussel sprouts with bacon recipe.

Is it better to roast Brussel Sprouts whole or cut in half?

When it comes to preparing delicious and healthy Brussels sprouts, there is an ongoing debate: should you roast them whole or cut them in half? Both methods have their pros and cons, so let’s dive into the details and help you decide which approach suits your taste buds best.

Roasting Whole Brussels Sprouts:
One of the main advantages of roasting Brussels sprouts whole is that they retain more moisture during cooking. The outer leaves act as a protective layer, preventing excessive drying out. This method allows for a tender center while maintaining a slightly crispy exterior. Roasting whole also requires less prep time; all you need to do is trim the stem ends and remove any loose leaves before popping them into the oven.

On the downside, roasting whole Brussels sprouts may result in uneven cooking. Larger sprouts might take longer to cook through, potentially leaving smaller ones overcooked or burnt on the outside. Additionally, if you prefer a greater caramelization effect on each piece, cutting them in half exposes more surface area to achieve that desired golden-brown color.

Roasting Halved Brussels Sprouts:
Cutting Brussels sprouts in half before roasting offers some unique benefits too. Firstly, halving promotes even cooking throughout all pieces since they are similar in size. It ensures consistent tenderness without any undercooked or overly soft sections. Secondly, by exposing more edges to direct heat during roasting, halved sprouts tend to develop a wonderful caramelized flavor and texture.

However, cutting your Brussels sprouts increases their chances of drying out faster than when roasted whole due to increased surface area exposure. So keep an eye on their cooking time and consider lowering your oven temperature slightly or reducing overall baking duration if necessary.

Looking for Brussel Sprouts With Bacon Recipe? Crispy brussel sprouts are a staple in my home. Roasted brussel sprouts with bacon are a must try.

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