Description
This Brussels Sprouts and Bacon recipe is a simple, flavorful side dish that combines crispy bacon with tender, caramelized Brussels sprouts. Cooked entirely on the stovetop, this dish balances smoky, savory flavors and is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or holiday dinner accompaniment.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound bacon, cut into small pieces
- 2 dozen Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Fry the bacon pieces in a skillet over medium-high heat until they become crispy, rendering their fat to use for cooking the Brussels sprouts.
- Remove bacon and retain grease: Transfer the crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, leaving the bacon grease in the pan for added flavor.
- Cook Brussels sprouts in bacon grease: Add the halved Brussels sprouts to the pan and stir them so they are evenly coated with the bacon grease. Cover the pan with a lid, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for about 5 minutes to soften the sprouts.
- Combine bacon and Brussels sprouts: Return the cooked bacon to the pan. Cook uncovered for a few more minutes until the Brussels sprouts reach your desired tenderness and develop a nice browning. You may cover the pan again if you prefer softer sprouts, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Season and serve: Season with salt and pepper as needed, then serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- You can adjust the cooking time to achieve your preferred level of tenderness for the Brussels sprouts.
- Using the bacon grease to cook the Brussels sprouts adds rich flavor, but you can drain excess grease if you want a lighter dish.
- Be cautious with the salt since bacon is already salty; taste before adding extra seasoning.
- For an extra touch, sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan or a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving.
