This fried Brussels sprouts with Bacon recipe has an irresistible taste and flavor that will keep you coming back for more! It is the perfect side dish for a meal at home, a Christmas dinner, or your next potluck.
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Why You'll Love It
Frying Brussels sprouts is a game changer if you're looking for a way to enjoy this vegetable.
For this delicious recipe, the Brussels sprouts are cooked in bacon grease and soak up its smoky and nutty flavors, resulting in an incredibly delicious side dish that will delight and surprise you.
Also, the crunchy, crispiness of the bacon adds another dimension of flavor that gives this dish another level of deliciousness. Bacon truly makes everything better!
This easy Brussels recipe makes a fantastic side dish for holiday dinners.
Ingredients Used
You only need a handful of ingredients for this pan-fried Brussels sprouts recipe.
- Brussels sprouts: I use larger sprouts for this recipe so that I can cut it faster, but you can also use smaller Brussels sprouts.
- Bacon: I use thick-cut bacon, but you can use any size.
- Spices: cayenne pepper, bouillon powder, and salt.
How to make Fried Brussels sprouts with bacon
- Here are detailed instructions on how to make this easy side dish.
- First, trim the base off the brussels sprouts. This will look like a small stump at the end. Remove any outer leaves that look wilted or are falling off. Cut each brussels sprouts into halves.
- Place the bacon in a skillet on medium heat in a single layer. Fry it till the grease comes out, and the bacon gets crispy. Take out the bacon but leave the grease in the skillet as this will be used for the brussels sprouts.
- Place the crispy bacon on a paper towel-lined plate. When it cools down, break the bacon into smaller pieces. It does not have to be perfect, so just do whatever size you're comfortable with.
- Add the halved Brussels sprouts to the bacon grease, stir, then leave covered for about 5 minutes, till the color changes to a golden brown.
- Add the fried bacon, salt, cayenne pepper, and bouillon powder, and stir everything together. The cayenne pepper gives a slightly spicy kick, and you can add as much or as little as you desire.
- Leave for another 5 minutes but keep your eye on it so it doesn’t get too mushy. Serve and enjoy!
Storing and Reheating
Leftover fried Brussels sprouts can be stored in an airtight container for 3-5 days. I would not recommend freezing because it will lose its crispiness.
To reheat, use either a microwave or pan-fry with a splash of olive oil or avocado oil.
Tips and Variations
- You don't need to add any oils to make crispy sprouts. The bacon grease is enough to fry the Brussels sprouts. But if you don't have enough grease, you can use a little bit of oil.
- Experiment with spices and garnish with your favorite fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary.
- You can omit the pepper if you don't like spicy foods. This flavorful side dish will still taste great without it!
What can I eat Brussels sprouts with?
If you need a main dish to go with these crispy Brussels sprouts, try these!
Doro Wat (Ethiopian Chicken Stew)
Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Frequently Asked Questions
Brussels sprouts are a type of miniature cabbage and are one of those polarizing vegetables that most people either hate or love. In fact, This cruciferous vegetable is often found in the list of America's most hated vegetables and is constantly derided as a nasty-tasting vegetable.
Cooked Brussels sprouts can be a bit bitter if not cooked properly but roasting or frying them brings out a nutty, delicious flavor that can be deliciously addicting.
Not only is it a very healthy vegetable, but one cup of Brussels sprouts contains 53% of the daily values of Vitamin C! They are also low in carbs at 4.7 net carbs per cup and are rich in antioxidants. Other health benefits of cooked sprouts include boosting the immune system, improving digestion, improving bone health, and balancing hormone levels.
Enjoy Brussels sprouts with these holiday dishes!
📖 Recipe
Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs brussels sprouts
- ½ lbs bacon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon bouillon powder
Instructions
- Trim the base of the brussels sprouts off and any outer leaves that look wilted.
- Cut each brussels sprouts into halves.
- Fry the bacon on medium heat for about 5 minutes till crispy.
- Take out of the skillet.
- Add the halved brussels sprouts to the bacon grease and fry on medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, covered.
- Break the bacon into smaller pieces.
- Add in the bacon, bouillon powder, cayenne pepper, and salt, and let fry for 5 more minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Craving more delicious side dishes? Try these:
Cauliflower Rice And Sausage Stuffing
Sauteed Green Beans & Mushrooms
Riced Cabbage
Cauliflower Mash with Sour Cream
Looking for holiday desserts? Check out this list of scrumptious low carb desserts you can make this holiday or well, any day you like! Also, check out our holiday gift guide for your keto pals that they will truly love!
Tayo Oredola is the founder of Low Carb Africa, where she shares healthy, low carb dishes with global flavors. She is passionate about teaching people how to cook drool-worthy dishes while losing weight and living their best lives. Tayo’s recipes have been featured on MSN, Women’s Health, Parade, Yahoo News, Pure Wow, Essence, and other online publications.
I love Brussels sprouts when done well and you have done them a great service Tayo! Well done and beautiful images.
Thank you so much, Kari!
This is really good I can't believe. My husband will appreciate it. Thanks Tayo
You're welcome, Abbey! I'm so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I'm pretty sure my kids will love this because of the bacon! This is genius Tayo!!
Yay! Hope they love it, Lola!
Bacon and brussels sprouts are just about the best thing ever!!!
They are a delightful combination 🙂
This is a great way to encourage your family to eat their veggies!! Looks amazing!
Thanks Demeter!
This is such an awesome snack and the Bacon on it makes it all the more perfect and tasty too. Simple, easy and healthy.
It sure is, Veena!
I love Brussel sprouts, such a healthy vegetable! I love the idea of stir-frying them too, I think even my sprout hating daughter will love this!
My daughter totally eats this happily!
Mmmm bacon and Brussels sprouts! This recipe looks so good!
Thanks Genevieve!