One Pan Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
When I have to choose a side dish that everyone will love and that guests who are watching their carb intake can enjoy it too, I always make my One Pan Brussels Sprouts with Bacon. It takes just about 30 minutes to make this fantastic dish, and it always impresses everyone. The secret is to cook the bacon to crispy perfection, then cook the Brussels sprouts in the bacon grease. I get hungry only from typing these.
No wonder this recipe is so popular with my friends and readers. Indeed, it is the ideal side dish that pairs well with almost any main dish: fish, pork, chicken, or beef. I love to serve it for special occasions with my brown sugar-glazed salmon, or for a hearty, satisfying meal with the family, with this delightful bacon-wrapped meatloaf.
Table of contents
I am always looking to share recipes that work for me and my lifestyle. The truth is, sometimes as much as I love to entertain, I don’t usually find the time and energy to spend hours in the kitchen. This 30-minute side dish, guaranteed to impress, is such a time-saver. Cutting on time and carbs does not mean cutting on flavors. The crunchy bacon, the perfectly seasoned Brussels sprouts, and the Parmesan cheese all work harmoniously in this savory recipe, creating a memorable dish!
Why you will love this recipe
- Less than 30 minutes: I love any recipe that takes less than 30 minutes and is also made in one pan. This stellar side dish always gets rave reviews, and it pairs so well with a variety of mains.
- It’s mixed with bacon: Adding bacon to sprouts is genius. It gives them so much extra flavor and helps them crisp up on the stove. Is there anything better in life than bacon grease? Don’t answer that question.
- Low in carbs: It is great for those on a keto diet or who just want to watch their carb intake. I don’t have to worry about making an extra dish for my friends who prefer low-carb; this one is enjoyed by everyone.
- Easy to get the kids to eat: If your kids don’t like Brussels sprouts, get them to try this. The bacon and other flavors will usually change their mind.
What you will need
- Sprouts: I use 2 pounds of organic Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved.
- Bacon: I recommend thick-cut smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces.
- Cheese: Freshly shredded Parmesan, added at the end, gives this dish a tangy, salty flavor with a bit of creaminess.
- Seasonings: Besides salt and pepper, I also use red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, paprika for a touch of smoky sweetness, and dried parsley for a mild peppery flavor. Instead of using powdered garlic, I use minced garlic for a bold, sweet flavor that adds dimension and umami to this dish without bitterness.
- Oil: I use a bit of oil to balance the bacon grease.
How to make
Prep: I start by prepping the Brussels sprouts and bacon for cooking.
Cook the bacon: I heat a skillet over medium heat. Once it gets hot enough, I add the bacon and cook it until it is crispy. Then, I put them on a plate lined with paper towels.
Cook the sprouts: Now, I drain the grease, leaving only 1 tablespoon in the pan, then add a bit of olive oil and the sprouts. I try to get them all cut side down, let them sear for a couple of minutes, then move them, and stir them occasionally for 10 minutes.
Season and cook: Next, I add the seasonings and stir well, then cover the pan and reduce the heat to low to cook for another 10 minutes.
Add bacon: After that, I add the bacon and let it cook for a few minutes before serving.
Serve: I garnish the dish with shaved Parmesan and serve.
Expert tip
Cooking the bacon correctly so it’s crispy
While for many recipes you first have to preheat the pan, when cooking bacon its the opposite. As a chef, this is the most important tip I give about bacon. Start with a cold pan to render the fat slowly; this assures maximum flavor and crispiness. Also, it’s best to use thick-cut bacon and remove it when it’s crispy; it will continue to cook when combined with the Brussels sprouts and stay crunchy, rather than drying out from too much heat.
More tips to consider:
- Get small to medium-sized bright green sprouts that are solid and free of yellowing or spots.
- Frozen sprouts are not recommended for this recipe.
- Trim the stem and remove the outer leaves to prevent the sprouts from becoming bitter.
- Place the sprouts cut side down and do not move them for the first few minutes.
- Using a heavy-duty pan that can handle high heat is essential.
- Also, do not crowd the pan. They need room for circulation to get crispy.
- Since bacon grease is heavy, discard it, leaving just 1 tablespoon, then add a bit of oil to balance it.
Recipe variations and add-ins:
- Add meat: Chop up some pork, chicken, or ham and toss it into the pan with the sprouts for a hearty meal.
- Creamy sprouts: Another way to make this dish is to add cream and turn it into a sauce.
- Cheesy sprouts: In fact, it would be even more delicious with some extra cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, and cream cheese in the sauce.
- Spicy sprouts: Chop up some jalapenos and toss them into the mix for a spicy side dish.
- Other veggies: Add color and flavor with different veggies, like chopped red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, sliced carrots, and broccoli spears.
Serving suggestions:
These flavorful sprouts go great with my brown sugar-glazed salmon, which is ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish! The savory garlic and soy sauce mixed with the sweet honey and brown sugar really complements the flavors in the Brussels sprouts. They are also a perfect side dish for my hearty, moist meatloaf, baked crack chicken, or these cripsy oven baken pork chops. It can easily make these delicious weekday meals into something special.
Looking for other side dishes to pair with these sprouts? Usually, when we have larger gatherings, I make a few options for guests to choose from. My favorite is this easy air fryer asparagus. Seasoned with garlic, onion, paprika, and Italian herbs, these tasty greens are done in 20 minutes. These air fryer bacon-wrapped green beans are also a big hit in my house. The bacon theme goes well with the sprouts, and with just two ingredients and an air fryer, it takes less than 30 minutes to get them on the table.
How to store leftovers:
- Refrigerate: Leftovers will stay fresh in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days.
- Freezing: I freeze my leftovers in freezer bags for a couple of months if I want to keep them longer.
- Defrost: I thaw them overnight in the refrigerator for the best flavor.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat these is in the air fryer at 360 degrees F for five minutes. They can also be reheated in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. I do not recommend the microwave.
Frequently asked questions
Brussels sprouts naturally taste bitter because they have glucosinolates, which naturally occur in the outer leaves of the vegetable. Trimming the stem, pulling off the outer leaves, and cutting them in half will help reduce some of that bitterness. Also, try to buy sprouts that are small to medium-sized. Larger ones are not as sweet. Adding ingredients like paprika, garlic, Parmesan, salt, and pepper can also improve their flavor.
Make sure the pan is preheated before cooking the bacon. Do not wait too long, or it will get too cool. Also, drain most of the oil, but not all, before adding the sprouts. Place the sprouts cut side down, leaving enough space between them so they have plenty of circulation. Otherwise, they will steam rather than roast. Keep the heat at medium-high and cook them long enough to make them crispy before covering.
It can be done, although I highly recommend using fresh ones for the best taste and texture. But if frozen is the only option, do not thaw them, as thawing can make them mushy. To improve the browning, though, try roasting them in small batches, with fewer than you normally would, with plenty of space, on high heat. Also, remember that they will probably not be as crispy as fresh Brussels sprouts, no matter what.
More delicious side dishes:
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Keto Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 pounds Brussels sprouts washed, bottoms trimmed and cut in half
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup fresh shredded parmesan cheese grated or shaved
Instructions
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon pieces and cook until crispy. Once crispy, transfer them to a paper-towel-lined dish.
- Drain most of the bacon grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan, then add the olive oil. Then add the Brussels sprouts and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.
- Add in the garlic, paprika, dried parsley, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper, stir, cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and cook for another 10 minutes.
- Add the bacon back to the dish, then stir and cook uncovered for 5 minutes.
- Top with shredded parmesan cheese and serve.
Notes
Cooking the bacon correctly so it’s crispy
While for many recipes you first have to preheat the pan, when cooking bacon its the opposite. As a chef, this is the most important tip I give about bacon. Start with a cold pan to render the fat slowly; this assures maximum flavor and crispiness. Also, it’s best to use thick-cut bacon and remove it when it’s crispy; it will continue to cook when combined with the Brussels sprouts and stay crunchy, rather than drying out from too much heat.More tips to consider:
- Get small to medium-sized bright green sprouts that are solid and free of yellowing or spots.
- Frozen sprouts are not recommended for this recipe.
- Trim the stem and remove the outer leaves to prevent the sprouts from becoming bitter.
- Place the sprouts cut side down and do not move them for the first few minutes.
- Using a heavy-duty pan that can handle high heat is essential.
- Also, do not crowd the pan. They need room for circulation to get crispy.
- Since bacon grease is heavy, discard it, leaving just 1 tablespoon, then add a bit of oil to balance it.
Thank you SO much for these plans! My mom and I love the recipes and have been scheduling our meals together all morning. Love it!
Awesome flavor combo! I’m super excited to try this keto b.sprout recipe!
This looks like the perfect way to guarantee that everyone will eat their veggies!
I think everything is better with bacon and this is the way to get everyone enjoy Brussel sprouts!!!
This is exactly how I want my brussels sprouts! Delicious!
My kids (and husband!) would definitely be more likely to have brussels sprouts especially with this recipe! What a great combination of flavors you have going on!
Perfect! Always looking for additional sides to make for dinner!
So many amazing flavors going on in this dish!! It’s perfect!!
I need to try this immediately, it looks so good!
absolutely delicious !!