Description
Simple yet irresistible bacon Brussels sprouts recipe featuring perfectly caramelized sprouts cooked in smoky bacon fat with crispy bacon pieces.
Ingredients
For the Brussels Sprouts:
- ½ pound bacon, cut into small pieces
- 2 dozen Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
Start by frying the bacon in your skillet over medium-high heat until it’s perfectly crispy and golden. The smell alone will have everyone gathering in the kitchen! Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, but here’s the crucial part – leave all that beautiful bacon grease in the pan. That’s flavor gold right there!
Add your halved Brussels sprouts to the pan with the bacon grease. Give them a good stir so every single sprout gets coated in that delicious fat. Cover the pan with a lid, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let them cook for about 5 minutes. This steaming step is key – it helps soften the sprouts without burning the outsides.
Return your crispy bacon to the pan and remove the lid. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the Brussels sprouts are golden brown and tender to your liking. This usually takes another 5-8 minutes. The uncovered cooking at the end gives you those gorgeous caramelized edges that make this dish so addictive!
Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately while they’re hot and crispy.
Notes
My biggest mistake when I started making this was crowding the pan. If your skillet looks packed, use two pans or make it in batches – otherwise everything steams and gets mushy instead of crispy.
Save some of the bacon pieces in a bowl before you add them back, then sprinkle those on top at the very end. Gives you different textures in every bite.
Watch your heat too – if they’re browning too fast, just turn it down and throw the lid back on for a minute.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Skillet/Stovetop
- Cuisine: American